Core Viewpoint - Connecting Excellence Group Plc reported a significant increase in net fee income for the first half of 2026, indicating strong operational performance and growth in the executive recruitment sector [1] Financial Performance - The company generated net fee income of £0.89 million for the six-month period ended 31 December 2025, representing a 20.3% increase compared to £0.74 million in the same period of the previous year [1] - The average fee per placement increased by 12.7%, contributing to the overall growth in net fee income [1]

Connecting Excellence OTCQB debut & 1,000 Bitcoin target explained - ICYMI Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock Connecting Excellence Group Plc (AQSE:XCE, OTCQB:XCELF) CEO Scott Ellam talked with Proactive about the company’s international executive recruitment business and its disciplined Bitcoin treasury strategy. Connecting Excellence Group Plc operates as an international executive recruitment firm placing senior-level professionals across consulting, logistics, engineering and technology s ...

Core Viewpoint - MSTR shares have significantly underperformed, dropping 59.7% over the past year, contrasting sharply with the Zacks Finance sector's increase of 10.4% and the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry's decline of 24.4% [1][8] Performance Comparison - MSTR has lagged behind peers such as Hut 8 Corp. and Riot Platforms, which saw gains of 164.6% and 26.5%, respectively, while HIVE Digital Technologies experienced a decline of 22.9% [2] Company Model and Market Sensitivity - The company's highly leveraged model has made MSTR a volatile proxy for Bitcoin, leading to increased sensitivity to fluctuations in the crypto market [3] - Institutional exits, potential MSCI exclusion, and rising competition from spot Bitcoin ETFs are diminishing its proxy premium, while ongoing equity issuance to fund Bitcoin purchases is pressuring long-term returns [3] Technical Indicators - MSTR is trading below both its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, indicating sustained bearish momentum and limited near-term upside potential [6] Bitcoin Treasury - MSTR holds 717,131 bitcoins valued at $58.9 billion, making it the largest corporate Bitcoin treasury globally, representing approximately 3.4% of all BTC ever to exist [10][12] - The treasury has been built through disciplined accumulation since Q3 2020, with a total acquisition cost of about $54 billion at an average price of $76,000 per bitcoin [11] Capital Raising and Growth Strategy - In 2025, MSTR raised $25.3 billion, becoming the largest U.S. equity issuer for the year, which accounted for about 8% of total U.S. equity issuance [13] - The capital raised has been primarily allocated to increasing Bitcoin holdings and strengthening the balance sheet, enhancing liquidity and supporting disciplined treasury expansion [14] Shareholder Security - MSTR's Bitcoin reserve provides a strong foundation for shareholder security, with net leverage near 10% relative to BTC reserves, maintaining a conservative capital structure [15] - The reserve supports long-term dividend sustainability, with $888 million in dividends estimated to provide approximately 67 years of coverage based on the current BTC reserve [17] Valuation - MSTR is currently trading at a premium valuation, with a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 74.18X, significantly above the sector average of 9.23X [18] - This premium valuation is supported by MSTR's ability to consistently grow BTC per share, even amid Bitcoin price volatility [19] Investment Recommendation - Despite the recent decline, MSTR's strong Bitcoin treasury and disciplined capital deployment create a structurally advantaged model, presenting a strategic buying opportunity for investors comfortable with volatility [22]

Connecting Excellence Group Plc (AQSE:XCE, OTCQB:XCELF) CEO Scott Ellam talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the company’s international executive recruitment business and its disciplined Bitcoin treasury strategy as the company started trading on the OTCQB market in the US under the ticker 'XCELF.' Connecting Excellence operates as an international executive recruitment firm placing senior-level professionals across consulting, logistics, engineering and technology sectors worldwide. Ellam expl ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an operating loss of $17.4 billion and a net loss of $12.6 billion for Q4 2025, driven by a decline in Bitcoin's fair value under mark-to-market accounting [8] - For the full year 2025, the company reported an operating loss of $5.4 billion and a net loss of $4.2 billion, with results within target guidance based on Bitcoin price [8] - The digital assets increased from $23.9 billion at the end of 2024 to $58.9 billion at the end of 2025, reflecting a $17.9 billion increase in fair value [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company successfully raised over $25 billion in total capital during 2025, funding growth across its treasury strategy and expanding its product ecosystem [4] - The company established a cash reserve of $2.25 billion in Q4, providing over 2.5 years of dividend coverage [6][18] - The company achieved a BTC Yield of 22.8% for the year, translating into a total BTC gain of 101,873 Bitcoin and a BTC dollar gain of $8.9 billion [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The market value of the company's Bitcoin holdings increased by approximately $17 billion, from $41.8 billion at the end of 2024 to $58.9 billion at the end of 2025 [16] - The company added approximately 225,000 Bitcoin during the year, increasing total holdings from 447,000 to 672,500 Bitcoin [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company adopted fair value accounting at the beginning of the year, enhancing transparency of Bitcoin holdings [5] - The company aims to systematically increase Bitcoin per share over time, regardless of near-term market cycles, and to deliver durable BTC value for long-term investors [10] - The company is focused on digital credit issuance through its Stretch product, which is expected to amplify common equity and increase Bitcoin per share [46] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging market conditions but emphasized the importance of holding onto Bitcoin and the fundamentals that support its value [21] - The company believes that the political landscape is increasingly supportive of Bitcoin, with significant recognition from key government officials [48][49] - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to service its debt and dividends, even in a volatile Bitcoin market [33] Other Important Information - The company received its first-ever credit rating for a Bitcoin treasury company, marking a significant step in institutional recognition [6] - MSCI confirmed that digital asset treasury companies will remain eligible for inclusion in its global market indices, which is seen as a positive outcome [7] - The company has been actively engaging with regulators and policymakers to support its efforts on index inclusion [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the company plan to manage its debt in a volatile Bitcoin market? - Management stated that they are not worried about servicing their convertible debt, as their Bitcoin reserve provides long-term durability [33] Question: What is the company's strategy for increasing Bitcoin per share? - The company plans to issue digital credit through Stretch, which is expected to amplify common equity and increase Bitcoin per share over time [46] Question: How does the company view the current political support for Bitcoin? - Management highlighted the significant shift in political attitudes towards Bitcoin, with key government officials now recognizing its importance [48][49]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an operating loss of $17.4 billion and a net loss of $12.6 billion for Q4 2025, driven by a decline in Bitcoin's fair value under mark-to-market accounting [8] - For the full year 2025, the operating loss was $5.4 billion and the net loss was $4.2 billion, with results within target guidance based on Bitcoin price [8] - Digital assets increased from $23.9 billion at the end of 2024 to $58.9 billion at the end of 2025, reflecting a $17.9 billion increase in fair value [11] - Total equity rose to $51.1 billion at the end of 2025, up from $22.8 billion a year ago, due to the addition of $6.9 billion in preferred equity [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added approximately 225,000 Bitcoin during 2025, increasing total holdings from 447,000 to 672,500 Bitcoin [17] - The Bitcoin yield for the year was 22.8%, translating into a total BTC gain of 101,873 Bitcoin and a BTC dollar gain of $8.9 billion [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The market value of Bitcoin holdings increased by approximately $17 billion from $41.8 billion at the end of 2024 to $58.9 billion at the end of 2025 [16] - The company established a $2.25 billion cash reserve in Q4, providing over 2.5 years of dividend coverage [6][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to systematically increase Bitcoin per share over time, regardless of market cycles, and to build durable shareholder value [10] - The adoption of fair value accounting and the receipt of the first-ever credit rating for a Bitcoin treasury company are seen as strategic milestones [5][6] - The company plans to focus on digital credit issuance to amplify common equity and increase Bitcoin per share [45] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management emphasized the importance of holding onto Bitcoin during market downturns, citing the fundamentals of Bitcoin as unchanged [21][22] - The company is optimistic about the future, with plans to continue raising capital and acquiring more Bitcoin [25] - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to service debt and dividends despite Bitcoin price fluctuations [33] Other Important Information - MSCI confirmed that digital asset treasury companies will remain eligible for inclusion in its global market indices, which is viewed positively by the company [7][19] - The company has been actively engaging with regulators and policymakers to support its efforts on index inclusion [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the company plan to manage its debt in a volatile Bitcoin market? - Management stated that they are not worried about servicing convertible debt, as the Bitcoin reserve significantly exceeds net debt, even in extreme downside scenarios [34][35] Question: What is the company's strategy for increasing Bitcoin per share? - The strategy involves issuing digital credit to amplify common equity, which is expected to increase Bitcoin per share over time [45][46]

Core Viewpoint - GameStop Corp. is exploring significant strategic moves, including increasing its stake in Bitcoin and potentially acquiring companies to boost its market capitalization, which currently stands at $11 billion, with aspirations to reach $100 billion [2][3][4]. Group 1: Stock Performance and CEO Compensation - GameStop shares are currently trading 81% below their 2021 high of $121 [2]. - If GameStop's market capitalization rises to $100 billion, CEO Ryan Cohen could earn $35 billion based on a recent compensation plan [3]. Group 2: Acquisition Strategies - GameStop is considering acquiring Marathon Digital for $5.5 billion, which would be a 35% premium, and could use its remaining cash of $2.5 billion to buy more Bitcoin, potentially transforming into a Bitcoin miner [5][6]. - The acquisition of Marathon could position GameStop as one of the largest Bitcoin producers, with the combined company's value potentially soaring five to ten-fold if Bitcoin prices rise significantly [6][7]. Group 3: Alternative Acquisition Options - An alternative acquisition target is Discord, valued between $5 billion to $8 billion, which could provide access to a large user base for targeted game-related promotions [13]. - Achieving a $100 billion market capitalization through the Discord acquisition might take three to five years, requiring $3 billion to $5 billion in revenue during that period [15]. Group 4: Market Conditions and Valuation - The premium on Bitcoin holdings has decreased, with the multiplier-to-net asset value falling from over 2.4 to around 1.1 due to high share dilution and investor concerns [10]. - Wall Street currently views GameStop as 42% overvalued, setting a price target of $13.50, indicating that achieving ambitious goals will require bold strategies [16].

Core Viewpoint - Strive, Inc. plans to conduct a $150 million follow-on offering of its Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock (SATA Stock) to finance various corporate activities, including the redemption of convertible notes and acquisition of bitcoin-related products [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The offering will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and is subject to market conditions [1]. - Strive intends to use the net proceeds to finance the redemption and repayment of Semler Convertible Notes, acquire bitcoin, and for general corporate purposes [2]. - The company is negotiating exchanges of Semler Convertible Notes for SATA Stock, which may reduce the size of the follow-on offering [3]. Group 2: Dividend Structure - SATA Stock accumulates cumulative dividends at a variable rate of 12.25% per annum, payable monthly in arrears starting February 15, 2026 [4]. - Strive has the discretion to adjust the monthly regular dividend rate, subject to certain restrictions [4]. - If regular dividends are unpaid, compounded dividends will accumulate at a rate of 12.25% plus 25 basis points, increasing by 25 basis points per month up to a maximum of 20% per annum [4]. Group 3: Redemption Rights - Strive has the right to redeem SATA Stock at a cash price of $110 per share, plus any accumulated dividends [6]. - The company can initiate a "clean-up redemption" if the total outstanding shares fall below 25% of the initial offering [6]. - Holders of SATA Stock have the right to require Strive to repurchase shares at a cash price equal to the stated amount plus accumulated dividends in the event of a "fundamental change" [7]. Group 4: Financial Position - Strive established an initial dividend reserve of $12.00 per share at the IPO Closing and plans to increase it to $12.25 per share with the new offering [5]. - As of January 16, 2026, Strive holds approximately 12,797.6 bitcoin and manages over $2.3 billion in assets [12]. Group 5: Management and Advisors - Barclays and Cantor are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering, with Clear Street as a co-manager [9]. - The offering is being made under an effective shelf registration statement filed with the SEC [10].

Core Insights - Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) pioneered the Bitcoin treasury company strategy, which previously resulted in mutual gains for both Bitcoin and the company's stock [2] - The correlation between Bitcoin's price and Strategy's stock has weakened significantly, with Bitcoin down 27% from its October 2025 peak, while Strategy's shares have dropped over 64% [3][7] Bitcoin Market Dynamics - Bitcoin is currently trading around $90,200, down from recent highs, facing significant headwinds [4] - Proponents argue Bitcoin serves as a store of value, akin to "digital gold," but market behavior is increasingly challenging this view as gold prices rise amid geopolitical tensions [4][5] Investor Sentiment and Company Performance - Strategy's recent acquisition of 22,305 Bitcoin for $2.13 billion has not positively impacted its stock, which fell nearly 7% in midday trading [3][7] - The acquisition was funded through $1.83 billion in common stock sales and $294.3 million from perpetual preferred equity, leading to ongoing shareholder dilution [6][7] - Strategy's software business generates annual revenue between $460 million and $500 million, which is insufficient to cover preferred stock dividends approaching billions [7]

Core Insights - GameStop is reportedly moving to sell its Bitcoin holdings, which were added to its corporate treasury in mid-2025, contributing to a rise in its stock price at that time [1] Group 1: Bitcoin Holdings and Transfers - Recent on-chain activity has led to speculation that GameStop is "dumping" its Bitcoin holdings, following large transfers to Coinbase Prime [2] - On January 18, GameStop transferred 100 BTC, valued at approximately $9.5 million, from wallets linked to Coinbase Custody to Coinbase Prime [2] - Two days later, on January 20, an additional 2,296 BTC was moved to Coinbase Prime, indicating potential selling rather than long-term holding [3] - As of the end of Q3 2025, GameStop's Bitcoin holdings were valued at $519.4 million, with independent trackers confirming holdings of 4,710 BTC through early January 2026 [3] Group 2: Acquisition and Market Context - GameStop first disclosed its Bitcoin treasury strategy in May 2025, purchasing 4,710 BTC at an average acquisition price of approximately $106,000 per BTC [4] - The company became the 22nd-largest public corporate holder of Bitcoin at that time, despite entering the Bitcoin treasury race relatively late [5] - Bitcoin's price has struggled to regain momentum compared to other assets like gold and Ethereum, raising concerns about the viability of GameStop's Bitcoin position [5] Group 3: Speculation and Management - Amid rising volatility and bear-market predictions, there is speculation that GameStop could be one of the first public companies to unwind its Bitcoin position, although no official sale announcement has been made [6] - Transfers to Coinbase Prime may also reflect routine treasury management activities, such as rebalancing holdings or preparing for Bitcoin-linked financial strategies [6] - In total, GameStop transferred 2,396 BTC to Coinbase Prime in January 2026, representing about 51% of their original Bitcoin holdings [7]