Key Takeaways
- STRC, Strategy’s preferred stock, logged an unprecedented $1.53 billion trading volume Thursday—exceeding four times its typical 30-day average.
- The elevated volume enabled Strategy to acquire 11,707 bitcoin via its at-the-market equity program.
- STRC declined roughly 1% during Friday’s pre-market session as ex-dividend trading began, hovering near $99.12.
- The company disclosed plans to buy back approximately $1.50 billion worth of its 0% convertible senior notes maturing in 2029 for about $1.38 billion cash.
- Strategy’s common shares (MSTR) retreated 2% to $182.50 in Friday pre-market trading, coinciding with bitcoin’s decline to $80,500.
Strategy’s STRC preferred shares delivered their most robust trading session on record Thursday, generating $1.53 billion in total volume. The figure represents more than quadruple the security’s typical 30-day volume average of approximately $331 million.
Common shares of MSTR declined 2% to $182.50 during Friday’s pre-market hours. Bitcoin simultaneously retreated to $80,500 during the same trading window.
The extraordinary volume materialized one day ahead of STRC’s ex-dividend date. This pattern isn’t unusual—securities distributing dividends frequently experience heightened trading activity during the final session when purchasers can still qualify for the forthcoming payment.
STRC delivers an 11.5% annualized dividend distributed monthly in cash. The majority of Thursday’s transactions executed at or exceeding the security’s $100 par value.
As Friday’s pre-market session unfolded, STRC retreated to $99.12, representing a decline just shy of 1%. This type of correction is characteristic ex-dividend behavior—prices commonly adjust downward by approximately the dividend amount.
Massive Volume Surge Powers Bitcoin Acquisition
Data compiled by BitcoinQuant reveals that Thursday’s historic trading volume facilitated Strategy’s acquisition of 11,707 bitcoin. The company executed these purchases through its at-the-market offering mechanism, which authorizes Strategy to issue fresh securities and convert proceeds into bitcoin holdings.
Strategy maintains the distinction of being the world’s largest publicly traded corporate bitcoin holder. These ATM-driven acquisitions represent a fundamental component of the company’s strategy to continuously expand its cryptocurrency position.
Company Unveils $1.5 Billion Convertible Note Buyback Initiative
In a separate announcement, Strategy revealed intentions to repurchase roughly $1.50 billion of its outstanding 0% convertible senior notes scheduled to mature in 2029. The company anticipates paying approximately $1.38 billion in cash to complete the transaction.
The repurchase valuation depends partially on the daily volume-weighted average trading price of Strategy’s Class A common stock. The company projects settlement will occur on or around May 19.
Strategy plans to finance the buyback using existing cash reserves, capital raised through its ATM offering program, and potentially through the liquidation of bitcoin holdings.
Following the cancellation of repurchased securities, approximately $1.50 billion in principal value of the 2029 convertible notes will continue to remain outstanding.
Both developments—the historic preferred stock volume surge and the substantial convertible note repurchase program—occurred simultaneously Thursday, drawing heightened attention to Strategy’s capital allocation strategy entering the weekend.


