The Louisiana State Employees” Retirement System (LASERS) has recently announced a significant investment of approximately $3.2 million in Strategy Inc., acquiring 17,900 shares. This move reflects a growing trend among public pension funds seeking indirect exposure to Bitcoin through regulated equity.
As of January 29, 2025, LASERS manages over $15.60 billion in assets and this investment in Strategy Inc. (formerly MicroStrategy) represents a calculated approach to diversification, accounting for about 0.02% of its overall portfolio. Strategy, under the leadership of chairman Michael Saylor, has expanded its Bitcoin holdings to exceed 190,000 BTC, establishing itself as a pivotal player in the cryptocurrency space.
Michael Saylor remarked on the company”s evolution, stating, “Strategy”s transformation has established it as a major Bitcoin holder, reinforcing our commitment to cryptocurrency.” LASERS joins other state funds, such as the New York State Common Retirement Fund, which has similarly increased its stake in Strategy during times of stock fluctuations, signaling a preference for regulated securities to gain exposure to Bitcoin.
Following the announcement of LASERS”s investment, the market response remained stable, with no noticeable shifts in the price of BTC or the fundamentals of Strategy”s stock. Recently, Strategy shares traded at $173.71, reflecting a year-to-date increase of 10.5%, although they remain significantly lower than their peak values.
In the broader context of Bitcoin“s institutional adoption, public pension funds are increasingly leveraging indirect investment pathways like shares in Strategy Inc. to access the cryptocurrency market. As reported, Bitcoin is currently valued at $93,143.83, with a market capitalization of $1.86 trillion. Despite a recent 2.32% decline within a 24-hour period, Bitcoin has shown resilience over the longer term, with increases of 1.85% and 5.58% over the last week and month, respectively.
The surge in trading volume by 131.6% indicates robust market engagement, while insights from the Coincu research team suggest that institutional investments like those from LASERS could contribute to market stability through diversified portfolios. The gradual involvement of public pension funds in Bitcoin could enhance its status as a reliable asset within the broader economic landscape, countering historical volatility concerns.
