Bitcoin Treasury Companies Are This Cycle's Shitcoins, Warns Stack Hodler

A pseudonymous investor known as Stack Hodler is sounding the alarm over what he describes as a "terrible idea" brewing in the public markets: companies making their treasury strategy a core part of their narrative to attract investors.

While not a new phenomenon, Stack Hodler says the trend is now "exploding" with copycat firms, leading to "fiat shenanigans with the potential to unwind." In contrast, he celebrates companies that generate real economic value and use their profits to accumulate Bitcoin—something he views as a sustainable force in Bitcoin's monetization arc.

The discussion began with Bitcoin podcaster Stephan Livera referencing MicroStrategy's Q1 2025 earnings call, where Michael Saylor touched upon the company's persistent premium to net asset value (NAV).

"Saylor outlined some reasons for MSTR being at a multiple to NAV. Of course, we know this premium is cyclical and has varied over time (e.g., sometimes it trades at a slight discount). But also, there's a broader structural context for this premium," said Livera.

Pointing out the vast disparity between Bitcoin's $2 trillion market cap and the total market cap of $1,000 trillion for all assets, Livera said many large capital allocators are unable to directly hold Bitcoin due to regulatory, tax, or mandate-related restrictions.

"Thus, there’s an argument that a few treasury companies could exist long-term, so long as they’re managed prudently (e.g., not issuing shares at a discount to the BTC holdings). But ultimately, the best way to get exposure to Bitcoin is through self-custody."

However, Stack Hodler clarified that he wasn't referring to MicroStrategy.

"I’m talking about the copycat companies that are exploding in number and velocity. They're trying to ride on MSTR's coattails, much like how shitcoins try to ride on BTC's coattails."

Expressing a preference for companies generating real value, Stack Hodler said he doesn't "wish any harm" on these firms and acknowledges that regulatory arbitrage might keep a few afloat in the short to medium term. But he questioned the viability of companies whose primary activity appears to be printing shares and using the proceeds to buy Bitcoin.

"I love seeing companies with real profitable businesses stack BTC. But companies with no revenue or minimal revenue, whose primary focus is share issuance to fund BTC buying ... I feel like that's shakier territory and has more potential for bad actors to come in and scam people."

The topic sparked further discussion among industry figures. Scott Melker, host of "The Wolf of All Streets" podcast, said he hates to even think about it, but feels that Bitcoin treasury companies pivoting and raising debt to buy Bitcoin could be the next bubble.

Market structure analyst Dave Weisberger agreed there's risk, but took a more measured stance. "Sure. But we have to let bubbles inflate before we get worried about them... spoiler, Bitcoin is NOT near bubble territory."

Technical analyst FiboSwanny, a 25-year market veteran, focused on leverage and market structure.

"If there’s a bubble forming, it’s likely in the financial instruments and leverage around Bitcoin—like debt-funded treasury purchases, ETFs, derivatives—not in actual Bitcoin itself," he said.

Lark Davis took a more bearish tone, adding that this is "our GBTC leverage this cycle that will have a horrific unwind with devastating consequences later. Especially the companies buying altcoins."

Finally, Swan CEO Cory Klippsten didn'889;t mince words, simply stating that the trend has "already jumped the shark."

The current landscape includes dozens of public companies with direct Bitcoin holdings, some of which are drawing intense retail speculation.

MicroStrategy remains the dominant force, with well over half a million Bitcoin on its books. Other names include Metaplanet in Japan, Semler Scientific (NASDAQ:SMCI), KULR Technology (NASDAQ:KULR), and various new entrants who have completely reorganized their corporate missions around Bitcoin accumulation.

Many of these firms are now trading at multi-billion-dollar valuations, far above what their underlying business models would suggest.

The sustainability of the model is also up for debate. Most of these companies rely on issuing new equity at inflated valuations to finance further Bitcoin purchases, creating a reflexive cycle where rising BTC prices inflate share prices, which in turn enable more buying.

This dynamic works beautifully in a bull market but can quickly reverse in a downturn, especially if the companies' shares begin trading at a deep discount to their Bitcoin holdings, as happened to a lesser extent with GBTC during the last cycle.

As the narrative of institutional exposure unfolds, the question of how that exposure is structured becomes increasingly relevant. In simpler terms, as Stack Hodler put it:

"Bitcoin is and always will be the