** Shares of video game retailer GameStop GME.N rise ~8% to $28.41 premarket
** CNBC after market on Thursday reported GME is considering investing in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, citing people familiar with the matter
** Companies considering adding bitcoin to their balance sheets would follow the lead of Strategy MSTR.O, which rebranded itself earlier this month to emphasize its commitment to the cryptocurrency space
** GME was at the center of 2021's so-called 'meme stock' rally when stock influencer Keith Gill's bullish bets on the company sparked a trading frenzy among mom-and-pop investors
** It has grappled with declining sales in its primary business of selling new and used video game discs due to a shift to digital downloads, game streaming, and e-commerce shopping
** GME did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment on the CNBC report
(Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru)
((Manya.Saini@thomsonreuters.com))