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Stacy Pereira
- An FT report suggests that struggling companies are buying crypto to spark short‑term stock rallies and offset weak share prices.
- Analysts warn that this strategy could erode balance sheets if crypto prices fall, dragging the stock even lower.
- Choppy crypto markets and tight funding conditions have made “crypto‑treasury” announcements a tempting shortcut.
A growing number of financially strained companies are turning to cryptocurrency purchases in a bid to prop up slipping share prices. While this trend does see the stock uptick temporarily, analysts are now suggesting that this could backfire badly.
According to the Financial Times, some firms are even raising debt to fund these acquisitions, effectively doubling their exposure. Now, they face the threat of not only volatile digital assets but also the leverage risk.
Analysts warn on debt‑fueled crypto buys
One could argue that the logic is simple yet risky. By announcing a pivot into crypto, companies can spark speculative rallies in their stock, attracting retail traders and momentum funds. This “crypto halo effect” has, in some cases, delivered triple‑digit percentage gains in days. But history shows such surges can be fleeting.
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Take, for example, BitMine Immersion Technologies, which shifted to an Ethereum‑focused treasury in June. This pivot saw its stock soar over 1,300% before facing looming selling pressure from a massive share issuance. Asset Entities, a small‑cap marketing firm, jumped similarly after a crypto‑pivot, only to confront a 22‑fold increase in share float. Upexi and SharpLink Gaming suffered brutal reversals, plunging more than 60%, once early PIPE investors were free to sell.
Timing of move highly speculative
The timing of this wave is no accident. It comes amid a choppy crypto market where Bitcoin has struggled to hold gains, and in a macro environment where traditional growth narratives are harder to sell. With interest rates high and equity markets selective, a crypto‑treasury announcement can feel like a shortcut. This is especially relevant for smaller companies struggling with liquidity.
Analysts warn that if crypto prices slide, or if investor enthusiasm cools, the feedback loop could reverse. The falling token values erode balance sheets, which in turn pressure share prices and spark a sell-off. So a crypto market correction could see the pack of cards come crumbling down. For these companies, a quick fix could become a slow-burn crisis.
