Strive Inc. (NASDAQ:ASST) surged 9.02% driven by analyst upgrades and Bitcoin expansion plans ahead of earnings.

Strive Inc. (NASDAQ:ASST) surged 9.02% in pre-market trading on December 17, 2025, driven by a combination of strategic moves and analyst upgrades ahead of its upcoming earnings release.

Maxim Group recently initiated coverage of the company with a "Buy" recommendation, signaling renewed investor confidence in its long-term prospects. This follows Strive’s announcement of a $500 million at-the-market equity offering, which the firm plans to use to further expand its Bitcoin treasury holdings. The move underscores its aggressive bet on cryptocurrency despite recent portfolio declines.

The stock also faces scrutiny over its push to challenge MSCI’s Bitcoin blacklist, which critics argue could limit market access for its digital assets. While the company’s high trading volume and dividend adjustments suggest efforts to stabilize shareholder value, the effectiveness of its Bitcoin-focused strategy remains uncertain amid broader market volatility.

Analysts remain divided on whether the company’s expansion into Bitcoin will yield long-term profitability or exacerbate existing risks. The firm’s recent equity offering and strategic initiatives will likely be key discussion points during its upcoming earnings call, where performance metrics and capital allocation decisions will be closely monitored by investors.

Until then, market sentiment appears cautiously optimistic, supported by recent institutional analyst coverage and a broader narrative around cryptocurrency adoption in traditional finance.