Michael Saylor and Jack Mallers go toe-to-toe over Strategy's bitcoin reporting metrics

The debate over Strategy's (MSTR) recent dilutive transaction resurfaced, this time featuring Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor and Strike and Twenty One Capital (XXI) CEO Jack Mallers, on Wednesday at BTC Prague, as the two weighed in on how investors should assess the company's increasingly complex capital structure.

Mallers asked Saylor how he defines multiple-to-net asset value (mNAV), noting that some investors include out-of-the-money securities in their calculations and asking whether he agrees with that approach. (Strategy currently has $6.7 billion of convertible debt that is out of the money, meaning the securities are not expected to convert into equity at the current $115 share price).

Mallers also challenged Saylor's view on dilution, asking for an example of a dilutive transaction if issuing equity for cash is not considered dilutive.

Saylor responded that mNAV can be calculated by including the notional value of convertible debt, common equity and preferred equity. However, he argued that mNAV is only one valuation framework. Investors can also evaluate gross assets per share and net assets per share, which may exclude preferred equity or convertible debt from the calculation. According to Saylor, the distinction matters less when debt and preferred equity represent only a small portion of the company's overall asset base.

On dilution, Saylor argued that issuing equity for cash is not inherently dilutive because shareholders receive a tangible asset in return, whether cash or bitcoin. He said raising capital strengthens the balance sheet, expands the capital base and improves creditworthiness. As an example, Saylor pointed to Strategy's recent addition of approximately $100 million to its U.S. dollar reserves, bringing the total to roughly $1 billion.