Microsoft Just Made a Momentous Decision About Bitcoin That Could Dramatically Affect Your Ability to Become a Crypto Millionaire

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) shareholders voted against a proposal to ask the company to add Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) to its balance sheet.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) shareholders have voted against a proposal to ask the company to add Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) to its balance sheet. Given that Microsoft's board had recommended that shareholders vote no on the measure, the rejection perhaps comes as no surprise.

What Happened: Had Microsoft agreed to buy a large amount of Bitcoin, it would have surely sent the price of the cryptocurrency soaring, creating Bitcoin millionaires in the process. So, what happens now?

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) shareholders will vote in April on a similar proposal, which would have the company consider adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset.

Why It Matters: Several companies have added Bitcoin to their balance sheets over the past few years, including Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) and MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:MSTR). Notably, Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) added $1.5 billion of Bitcoin to its balance sheet in early 2021.

Later in 2021, Tesla sold 75% of its Bitcoin holdings, booking a gain of $936 million. While the sale was a disappointment to some Bitcoin enthusiasts, it also highlighted the fact that companies are adding and subtracting Bitcoin from their balance sheets as they see fit.

Any company can add or remove Bitcoin from its balance sheet, but large purchases or sales of the cryptocurrency are bound to have an impact on the price.

Coinbase Global and MicroStrategy both have a direct link to the crypto industry, which may explain their large Bitcoin purchases.

Coinbase Global makes money from people buying and selling Bitcoin on its cryptocurrency trading platform, while MicroStrategy sells enterprise software to large companies, including several that are involved in the crypto industry.

Coinbase Global and MicroStreet also both have a market capitalization of less than $10 billion, which makes their Bitcoin purchases smaller than they may seem.

For example, Tesla added $1.5 billion of Bitcoin to its balance sheet in early 2021, while the iShares Bitcoin Trust (NYSEARCA:BITI) added about $54 billion to its holdings over the same time frame.

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John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Dominic Basulto has positions in Amazon and Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Bitcoin, Coinbase Global, Microsoft, and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Microsoft Just Made a Momentous Decision About Bitcoin That Could Dramatically Affect Your Ability to Become a Crypto Millionaire