STRC Falls Below Par Value, Sparking Market Controversy: Strategy’s Bitcoin Leverage Flywheel Faces Challenges

Odaily reported that Bitcoin has dropped approximately 40% since Strategy launched its Bitcoin financing instrument, STRC, which has now fallen below its $100 issuance par value. This has sparked market debate over the sustainability of Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin “flywheel” model. Strategy currently holds over 846,000 BTC, but its purchase pace has notably slowed recently. Data shows that during the week ending June 8, the company added 1,550 BTC, worth approximately $101 million. The following week, ending June 15, it added another 1,587 BTC, valued at about $100 million. In contrast, during a single week in April 2026, the firm bought 34,164 BTC for $2.54 billion, indicating a significant decline in its recent capital deployment.

Meanwhile, Strategy previously sold 32 BTC to meet dividend obligations. While minimal relative to its total holdings, the market views this as a sign that cash flow pressures could intensify if STRC’s funding efficiency declines. STRC was originally designed as a preferred stock instrument trading near its $100 par value, using dividend adjustments to attract investors and help Strategy raise capital for Bitcoin purchases. STRC has now fallen to historic lows, once dropping to $82.53 before closing at $88.59—roughly 13% below par value.

Critics argue that STRC’s dip below par indicates mounting pressure on Strategy’s funding channels. Peter Schiff, a long-time Bitcoin critic, labeled STRC “a typical centralized Ponzi scheme,” claiming the model relies on continuous financing or Bitcoin sales to sustain itself. Crypto trader DonAlt also questioned STRC’s recent performance, describing its trading behavior as resembling a “Ponzi scheme.”

However, some analysts believe STRC’s decline is more due to leverage liquidations than a fundamental deterioration of Strategy. STRC had long traded around $99 to $100, attracting leveraged traders. When the price broke below a key level, forced liquidations were triggered, exacerbating the drop.

Analyst Scott Melker noted that STRC’s current yield has actually improved due to the discount. Since dividends are calculated based on the $100 liquidation preference, at an STRC price of $90, the 11.5% annualized dividend translates to an actual yield of about 12.8%. If the price falls to $85, the yield could exceed 13%.

Strategy is expected to announce its next STRC dividend adjustment by June 30. The market is now focused on whether the STRC discount will persist and whether Strategy’s model of using capital market financing to continuously accumulate BTC can remain stable. (Cointelegraph)