In this episode, we sit down with Chaitanya Jain (CJ), an MBA candidate at Harvard Business School and strategist at MicroStrategy, who worked closely with Michael Saylor on the recent open source Bitcoin24 model. CJ shares his experience talking about bitcoin at HBS, detailing efforts to distinguish it from broader crypto discussions. We explore Michael Saylor’s perspective on whether bitcoin is money or just another asset. CJ offers insights into building the Bitcoin24 model and MicroStrategy’s evolving custody strategy, including the future of bitcoin in banking and other companies adopting MicroStrategy’s bitcoin strategy. We also cover their acquisition strategy using equity and convertible notes, the constraints they face, and how to think about valuing MicroStrategy in relation to their NAV. Last, CJ discusses MicroStrategy's potential future S&P 500 inclusion, effective bitcoin advocacy techniques, and the most significant risks to bitcoin today.
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Introduction and background
00:03:23 Experience at HBS with bitcoin
00:06:06 Efforts to differentiate bitcoin from crypto at HBS
00:08:13 Bitcoin and crypto courses at HBS
00:10:21 Michael Saylor’s view of bitcoin: money or asset?
00:12:12 Catalysts for HBS interest in bitcoin
00:14:06 Key takeaways from interacting with Michael Saylor
00:18:25 Valuing bitcoin without cash flows
00:20:36 Building the Bitcoin24 model with MicroStrategy
00:24:24 MicroStrategy’s bitcoin custody strategy
00:26:32 Future of bitcoin in banking
00:30:55 Other companies following MicroStrategy’s bitcoin strategy
00:38:21 MicroStrategy’s bitcoin acquisition strategy: equity and convertible notes
00:46:24 Limits on equity issuances and convertible notes
00:50:24 Common misunderstandings about MicroStrategy
00:52:42 MicroStrategy’s inclusion in the S&P 500
00:58:26 Bitcoin advocacy and persuasion techniques
00:59:10 Biggest risks to bitcoin
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The Bitcoin Frontier