Microsoft's Missed Bitcoin Opportunity: A $76.5 Million Profit

GameStop has bought 4,710 Bitcoin for its balance sheet, while Microsoft passed on the opportunity to buy Bitcoin in December. If Microsoft had invested 1% of its $78.4 billion cash balance into Bitcoin at the time, it could have added 7,978 BTC, worth $860 million today. This represents a potential profit of $76.5 million in five months, a gain of 9.8% on the money invested in Bitcoin.

GameStop, the US video game and consumer electronics retailer, has made its first Bitcoin purchase, acquiring 4,710 Bitcoin (BTC) for its balance sheet [1]. The company, which had previously disclosed plans to explore alternative investments, has not specified the cost or timing of the purchase. At the time of writing, the Bitcoin investment is worth approximately $513 million [1].

This acquisition comes amidst speculation that GameStop was exploring alternative assets, including cryptocurrencies. The company has been a subject of interest due to its volatile stock performance. GameStop shares have seen significant fluctuations, with a 12% increase in March and a 30% rise in the past 30 days, closing at $36.30 on May 29, 2025 [1].

In contrast, Microsoft, a tech giant with a substantial cash balance, passed on the opportunity to invest in Bitcoin. If Microsoft had invested 1% of its $78.4 billion cash balance into Bitcoin in December 2024, it could have added approximately 7,978 BTC to its portfolio [3]. At the current Bitcoin price of around $108,000, this would have been worth approximately $860 million [3]. Over the past five months, the value of this investment would have increased by around $76.5 million, representing a 9.8% gain [3].

While GameStop's Bitcoin investment marks a significant move into the cryptocurrency space, Microsoft's missed opportunity highlights the potential benefits of early investment in Bitcoin. As Bitcoin continues to gain attention and support from prominent figures, including President Donald Trump, who has backed legislation to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve, the cryptocurrency remains a topic of interest for investors [2].

References:
[1] https://cointelegraph.com/news/gamestop-buys-bitcoin-4710-btc
[2] https://bitcoinist.com/trump-backs-bill-buy-1-million-bitcoin-lummis-when/
[3] https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45661653/eric-trump-reveals-advice-from-michael-saylor-mortgage-mar-a-lago-and-take-2-billion-to-invest-in-bitcoin