Amazon shareholders are advocating for the company to invest a portion of its substantial $88 billion cash reserves in Bitcoin, viewing it as a potential hedge against inflation.
This initiative, led by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), emphasizes Bitcoin’s historical performance compared to traditional assets like bonds, despite its inherent volatility.
The NCPPR argues that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) underrepresents actual inflation, which they estimate to be around 10%. They propose that Amazon diversify its treasury with appreciating assets, even if they are subject to short-term fluctuations.
The growing trend of corporate Bitcoin adoption, exemplified by companies like MicroStrategy and Tesla, lends credibility to this proposal. MicroStrategy, for instance, holds over 402,000 BTC, valued at more than $40 billion. Advocates believe that if Amazon adopts Bitcoin, it could encourage other major corporations, such as Apple, to follow suit.
However, critics highlight Amazon’s financial obligations, including $67 billion in debt and $87 billion in lease commitments, suggesting that these factors make Bitcoin adoption impractical.
The proposal is set to be discussed at Amazon’s 2025 annual shareholder meeting. Similarly, Microsoft faces shareholder pressure to consider a Bitcoin treasury, although management has advised against it, citing existing treasury strategies.
The increasing interest in Bitcoin as a corporate asset reflects broader concerns about inflation and the diminishing value of fiat currency, potentially signaling a significant shift in corporate treasury management. The outcomes of these discussions could greatly impact the future of crypto in the corporate sector.
