Strive Slashes 92% of Semler’s Debt Burden - $110 Million Wiped Clean

Strive just pulled off a financial Houdini act—vanishing nearly all the legacy debt it inherited from Semler. We're talking a staggering 92% clearance, which translates to roughly $110 million off the books.

The Cleanup Operation

Forget complex restructuring or drawn-out negotiations. This was a surgical strike on the balance sheet. The move effectively severs a major anchor from the Semler era, freeing up capital and operational flexibility that was previously tied down by obligations.

Why This Debt Demolition Matters

In the high-stakes world of corporate finance, legacy debt is dead weight. It drags on cash flow, limits strategic options, and makes investors nervous. By eliminating this burden, Strive isn't just improving its numbers—it's sending a clear signal of aggressive financial health and forward momentum. It's the kind of decisive action that separates contenders from the also-rans.

Let's be real—in traditional finance, this would have taken years of committee meetings and consultant fees. Sometimes, the most sophisticated move is simply cutting the cord.

The market loves a good turnaround story, and shredding $110 million in debt is one hell of a first chapter. This isn't just cleaning up the past; it's building a runway for what's next.

Strive now has 13312 BTC holdings

Strive said earlier this month it WOULD combine funds from its stock offering, existing cash, and potential hedge proceeds to pay off liabilities, then invest what’s left in Bitcoin products.

Matt Cole, chairman and CEO of the Dallas-based company now confirmed they have wiped out $110 million, or 92%, of Semler’s debt, swapping $90 million in convertible notes for SATA stock and fully repaying the $20 million Coinbase loan. He noted the firm intends to clear the debt in its entirety by April this year.

Its latest buy also brings its Bitcoin stash to 13,132 BTC, he said. With that, Strive is now a top 10 corporate Bitcoin treasury company. The firm is also seeing a 21.39% BTC yield and elevated amplification, especially from its SATA offering,

Most X users congratulated the firm on its recent accomplishment, while others took to the platform to make inquiries on the firm’s offering and ASST asset

Almost 200 publicly traded companies hold a combined 1.134 million Bitcoin

But ASST stock fell 2.23% to $0.80 on Wednesday, and the share price is now down more than 92% from its post-Bitcoin-strategy high, illustrating execution risks regarding corporate crypto plans. Bitcoin treasuries became popular with companies in 2024 and early 2025, but many shares fell later last year amid doubts about the approach’s sustainability.

More than 190 publicly traded companies hold a combined 1.134 million Bitcoin, covering roughly 5.4% of the cryptocurrency in circulation. Almost two-thirds of Bitcoin held by companies — about 63% — is owned by Michael Saylor’s Strategy, which still continues to purchase despite recent funding obstacles and the downturn in the crypto market.

Overall, CryptoQuant analysis shows that since January, Bitcoin whales have continued buying amid volatility, while retail investors have been exiting the market. It noted that monthly whale holdings have grown despite geopolitical escalations, suggesting the market is experiencing structural accumulation rather than a sell-off. For starters, Strategy bought 22,305 BTC for $2.13 billion between January 12-19 at an average price of $95,284 per coin. 

Earlier this month, Bitcoin’s estimated leverage ratio also hit 0.184 on Binance near the $90K mark — its highest since last November — showing a renewed appetite for Leveraged positions amid mixed market conditions. But historically, when futures traders borrow heavily, the market becomes more prone to sudden liquidations during fast-moving price changes. 

Asian equities had also climbed nearly a week ago, with Bitcoin hovering NEAR $90,000, as Trump’s comments on a future deal for Greenland eased fears of imminent tariffs. Analysts at Bitfinex also noted that the market is watching for signs of stability, including flattening ETF flows, strong spot buyer volume, and sustained trading above $90,000 with lower volatility.

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