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Opinion: If Bitcoin continues to weaken, the cryptocurrency treasury industry will face a wave of mergers and reorganizations

2026.06.15 21:32:41

June 15 — Ben Werkman, Chief Investment Officer at Strive, stated that if Bitcoin remains in a prolonged downtrend, crypto treasury firms relying on convertible bond financing for expansion will face significant pressure, potentially triggering industry consolidation and asset restructuring. Werkman pointed out that many companies heavily leveraged structures such as convertible bonds during the last “Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) craze.” A continued market slump may trigger debt covenants and cash flow strains, forcing some firms to sell Bitcoin to maintain operations or meet debt obligations. “A rising Bitcoin price solves many problems, but if it stays low for an extended period, risks increase, and companies may be forced to sell assets or pursue M&A consolidation,” Werkman said. Strive’s CIO expects more M&A transactions and asset restructuring cases within the industry to fix capital structures, noting his firm’s previous acquisition of Semler Scientific as a blueprint for future industry consolidation. Regarding financing models, Werkman emphasized that Strive adheres to a pure equity structure, avoiding convertible bond use to reduce passive liquidation risks during downturn cycles. Additionally, Werkman revealed that Strive recently increased its Bitcoin holdings twice: first by 32 coins, then by another 73 BTC, bringing its total holdings to approximately 19,105 coins. The company is willing to sell Bitcoin when necessary to fulfill financial obligations like dividend payments — a move he says validates the resilience of its balance sheet and market liquidity. He added that rating agencies typically assign conservative valuations to Bitcoin holdings, a key issue the broader industry needs to address.
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