MicroStrategy Inc's MSTR leveraged ETFs have amplified the company’s role as a de facto Bitcoin BTC/USD proxy.

According to JPMorgan analyst Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, these ETFs — Defiance Daily Target 2x Long MSTR ETF MSTX and the T-Rex 2X Long MSTR Daily Target ETF MSTU — have fueled record inflows and significantly impacted MicroStrategy's stock volatility and valuation.

Leveraged ETFs tied to MicroStrategy stock accounted for $3.4 billion of November's $11 billion inflows into crypto markets, Panigirtzoglou notes.

These ETFs, designed to offer amplified exposure to Bitcoin through MicroStrategy's stock, are increasingly popular among retail investors who lack access to direct Bitcoin ETFs. This surge underscores their growing importance in facilitating Bitcoin exposure via equity markets.

Read Also: Leveraged MicroStrategy ETFs Are Playing With Fire, Experts Warn

Rebalancing Flows Amplify Stock Volatility

Daily rebalancing of these ETFs magnifies volatility in MicroStrategy's stock. The “price-insensitive” nature of these flows, as described by Panigirtzoglou, exacerbates market moves, particularly during end-of-day trading.

In November, there were five instances where rebalancing flows exceeded $2 billion in a single day. This contributed to the stock's near 60% surge during the month.

A Premium On Bitcoin Exposure

MicroStrategy's stock trades at a premium, reflecting factors like its inclusion in indices like MSCI World, enabling passive inflows, and its leveraged Bitcoin acquisition strategy.

MicroStrategy “offers a way for those investors restricted from investing in spot bitcoin ETFs to gain bitcoin exposure,” Panigirtzoglou said.

The company also serves as an “equivalent to a leveraged bitcoin fund (given its issuance of both equity and debt to acquire bitcoins),” he added.

With $17 billion spent on Bitcoin in 2024, including $13 billion this quarter alone, MicroStrategy's leveraged ETFs have become a linchpin in its Bitcoin acquisition strategy, reshaping its market presence and redefining how retail investors access crypto.

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