Meta’s Bitcoin rejection means Big Tech is still skeptical

Key Points

  • Meta's Rejection: Meta shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to consider Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, with a vote ratio of 1,221 to 1 at their annual meeting on May 28.**
  • Big Tech Skepticism: Major tech firms like Meta and Microsoft remain cautious about adopting Bitcoin, reflecting broader institutional hesitance despite growing corporate interest.**
  • Bitcoin's Volatility Concerns: Critics, including NYU professor Aswath Damodaran, argue Bitcoin's volatility makes it unsuitable for corporate treasuries, which are meant for emergency funds, not speculative investments.**
  • Contrasting Views: While some experts like CoinShares’ James Butterfill advocate for Bitcoin allocation for diversification and risk-adjusted returns, others like Duke University’s Campbell Harvey suggest it’s not a fit for traditional treasury roles.**
  • Growing Adoption: Despite rejections, Bitcoin treasury adoption is accelerating globally, with 72 new companies adopting it this year, though motivations may include stock price boosts rather than long-term belief in Bitcoin’s value.**

Summary

Meta’s recent rejection of a proposal to evaluate Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, with a staggering 1,221:1 vote against on May 28, underscores Big Tech’s ongoing skepticism toward cryptocurrency. Despite the compelling case for Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and for diversification, as argued by CoinShares’ James Butterfill, major firms like Meta and Microsoft remain cautious. Critics, including NYU professor Aswath Damodaran, highlight Bitcoin’s volatility as incompatible with the stability required for corporate treasuries, which serve as emergency funds. While MicroStrategy’s success with Bitcoin has inspired some, with a 2,466% stock surge since 2020, experts like Duke University’s Campbell Harvey argue it’s more akin to a risky venture than a treasury asset. Meanwhile, global adoption is rising, with 72 companies adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets this year, though motivations may vary. Meta’s $72 billion in liquid reserves could potentially benefit from Bitcoin’s returns, yet shareholder hesitance and CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s 61% voting control suggest institutional readiness for crypto remains uneven. The debate continues as asset managers like BlackRock advocate small Bitcoin allocations, while mainstream corporations largely hold back.

cointelegraph
June 11, 2025
Crypto
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