Saylor's back in the black 🟢

A five-day Bitcoin rally flipped Strategy's holdings from $13 billion underwater in July to a $1.4 billion unrealized gain.

Author

Guillermo Jimenez
August 21, 2026

đź“ť What you need to know

Michael Saylor's Strategy is back in the green. A five-day Bitcoin rally pushed BTC above the company's average buy price of $75,385, flipping its 840,447-coin stash—worth roughly $65 billion—to an unrealized gain of about $1.4 billion.

That's a stark reversal from July, when a slide to $58,000 left the position some $13 billion underwater. MSTR shares jumped 10% pre-market to $120, a two-month high.  

The rebound follows a strategy shift: After years of Saylor's "never sell" gospel, Strategy has offloaded 6,948 BTC since May to fund preferred dividends, STRC buybacks, and a $4.8 billion dollar reserve. Bitcoin, meanwhile, has surged nearly 23% in five days—its strongest run in months—juiced by Trump's White House push for the Clarity Act and the CFTC's threat to write crypto rules solo if Congress stalls.

Strategy Swings From $13 Billion Bitcoin Loss to $1.4 Billion Profit as BTC Rallies - Decrypt

Bitcoin treasury giant Strategy is sitting on roughly $1.4 billion in unrealized gains after BTC climbed above its average acquisition price.

Bitcoin · BTCAugust 21, 2026
$77,444
â–˛ 6.6% past 24 hours
View live price

đź“° In the News

Washington Goes All-In on Crypto: Trump Pushes Clarity, SEC Rules, and CFTC Warnings - Decrypt

Washington’s usual August lull disappeared this week as regulators forge ahead their version of clarity for the crypto market.

Bitcoin ETFs Just Had Their Biggest Day Since May—BlackRock Took 83% of It - Decrypt

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs pulled in $606 million Thursday, the biggest haul since May. And altcoin funds finally showed up too.

CFTC Chair Readies Crypto Rules If Congress Fails to Pass Clarity Act - Decrypt

The CFTC chair said staff is already exploring a crypto market structure framework and could move quickly on rules if Congress fails to act.

Decrypt • Decrypt / Jason Nelson

đź“Š Myriad Insight of the Day

BTC next move: Pump to $84K or Dump to $55K?
$84K 70%30% $55K
  
Why it matters
Bitcoin has climbed five straight days, adding almost 24% since Monday for its strongest week since March 2023, after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent doubled long-dated bond buybacks and a short squeeze wiped out billions, per Decrypt. Friday's high of $79,400 puts the pump target within 6%. This market never expires—it runs until one side hits, so 30% is the market's read on a full reversal.
Trade

🕵🏻‍♀️ Editor’s Picks

What's Next for Bitcoin After Historic Rally? Experts Weigh In - Decrypt

Bitcoin's surge above $72,000 wiped out billions in bearish bets, but analysts say fresh buying will be needed to keep the rally going.

Most Americans Say Trump's Crypto Profits Cross the Line: Poll - Decrypt

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll found 63% of respondents consider it inappropriate for Trump and his family to have profited from crypto

Tensions Flare as CME, Kalshi Execs Clash Over Prediction Markets in DC - Decrypt

CME Group Chairman Terry Duffy and Kalshi co-founder Luana Lopes Lara traded barbs during a CFTC meeting over prediction markets.

XRP Erases Its Most Bearish Signal—And the Ripple-Linked Coin Is Flying - Decrypt

XRP spent all August trapped under a bearish crossover. Today it closed above both moving averages for the first time since the pattern formed.

🥇 Be First to Market With Myriad

Join the Myriad Markets Telegram to see the latest prediction markets the second they drop!

With Myriad, the on-chain prediction market launched by Decrypt’s parent company DASTAN, you can break the news and stake the news.

đź“š Watch & Learn

đź“ą WATCH: Crypto MEGA Rally, $HYPE ATH, $PUMP and Alts Higher

What Is Strategy (MSTR)? The Bitcoin Treasury Company - Decrypt

Software firm Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) and its co-founder Michael Saylor have become synonymous with Bitcoin. Here’s what you need to know.

Interested in partnering with Decrypt? Find out more here.