Shares of Bitcoin focused Strategy (Nasdaq: MSTR) experienced a modest uptick in after-hours trading on January 6, 2026. The surge came on the heels of an announcement from global index provider MSCI, which revealed it would temporarily shelve its proposal to remove companies with substantial cryptocurrency holdings from its equity indexes.
This decision has been hailed as a reprieve for firms heavily invested in Bitcoin and other digital currencies, averting potential market turmoil in the short term.
MSCI had initially floated the idea of classifying “Digital Asset Treasury Companies” (DATCOs)—entities that allocate a notable portion of their treasuries to cryptocurrencies—as a distinct category.
Under this plan, such firms would be excluded from key benchmarks like the MSCI ACWI Index during the February 2026 review.
The rationale was to better reflect the evolving nature of corporate balance sheets in the crypto economy, but critics argued it could trigger forced selling by passive investment funds tracking these indexes.
Estimates suggested this might lead to outflows exceeding $15 billion, disproportionately affecting leaders in the space like Strategy, which holds billions in Bitcoin.
However, in a pivot announced late Tuesday, MSCI stated it would not proceed with the exclusions for now.
Instead, the firm plans to initiate a comprehensive review of how to handle DATCOs, ensuring any future changes minimize disruptions to markets.
This move was positioned as a commitment to “neutral indexing,” allowing time for broader stakeholder input and avoiding abrupt shifts that could unsettle investors.
A spokesperson for MSCI emphasized the importance of stability, noting that the pause prevents immediate selling pressure while fostering a more inclusive dialogue on digital assets in traditional portfolios.
For Strategy, the news was particularly welcome.
The company’s stock climbed approximately 6% in extended trading, reflecting investor relief over the recent announcement.
Strategy, under the leadership of Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor, has transformed into a de facto Bitcoin proxy, with its market value often mirroring the cryptocurrency’s price movements.
As of the end of 2025, the firm reported some setbacks on the anticipated performance of its digital asset holdings due to market volatility, but the MSCI decision provides breathing room for its accumulation strategy.
Saylor, known for his vocal support of Bitcoin as a corporate treasury asset, had previously criticized the proposal, arguing it unfairly penalized innovative firms.
The broader cryptocurrency market also reacted positively, with Bitcoin proxies and related stocks seeing modest gains. Analysts view the delay as supportive for the sector, potentially stabilizing prices and encouraging more institutional adoption.
By postponing until later in 2026, MSCI’s action underscores the growing integration of crypto into mainstream finance, where abrupt regulatory or indexing changes can have ripple effects.
The upcoming review could shape how index providers treat digital assets long-term. Stakeholders, including asset managers and crypto ecosystem participants, are likely to engage actively to influence outcomes.
For now, though, the pause represents a strategic win for DATCOs, highlighting the delicate balance between tech advancements and market integrity in an increasingly digitized economy.
This latest update also raises important questions about the potential future of corporate treasuries.
As more companies explore Bitcoin as an inflation hedge or alternative reserve, indexing decisions like MSCI’s will play a pivotal role in their viability.
Strategy’s stock performance serves as a barometer for this trend, with its rise signaling renewed confidence in the crypto-treasury model amid evolving financial industry developments.