GameStop Has Taken a Page Out of MicroStrategy's Playbook. Can It Save the Struggling Stock?

Core Concept - MicroStrategy, now known as Strategy, began purchasing Bitcoin in 2020, believing its finite supply could serve as a hedge against inflation, leading to a significant increase in its stock value by approximately 2,970% since the first purchase [1][2] Company Overview - MicroStrategy currently owns over 2.5% of all outstanding Bitcoin tokens and has positioned itself as a Bitcoin treasury company [2] - GameStop, a struggling video game retailer, has also started buying Bitcoin, attempting to replicate MicroStrategy's success [3][11] Financial Performance - GameStop reported a profitable fiscal 2024, but net sales fell by roughly 27.5% [9] - In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, GameStop generated nearly $45 million in net income, a significant improvement from a $32 million loss the previous year, although revenue declined by 16.9% [10] Strategic Moves - GameStop announced plans to raise $1.3 billion through convertible senior notes to purchase Bitcoin, making its first purchase of over $500 million at the end of May [11] - CEO Ryan Cohen highlighted Bitcoin's advantages as a hedge against global currency devaluation and systemic risk, emphasizing its portability and scarcity [12] Market Sentiment - Analysts express skepticism regarding GameStop's Bitcoin strategy, noting a significant valuation gap between GameStop and MicroStrategy [12] - GameStop's stock is viewed as a highly volatile investment, with concerns that it is becoming a leveraged play on Bitcoin rather than a stable business strategy [13][14]