Bitcoin News Today: The S&P 500's Sudden Shift: Why Robinhood Beat Out Strategy

Michael Saylor’s Strategy Inc. (MSTR) did not gain inclusion in the S&P 500 index on Friday, despite meeting all the necessary criteria and posting one of the strongest quarters in its history. The decision came as a surprise to many investors and analysts, with the stock price of the company falling nearly 3% after hours, effectively wiping out its earlier gains for the day. The inclusion would have marked a significant milestone for the company, increasing its visibility among millions of investors and portfolio managers and potentially serving as a bullish catalyst for the broader market. Meanwhile, Robinhood (HOOD) was unexpectedly added to the index, driving its stock up by 7% after the market closed. The changes are set to take effect on September 22. Prior to this, the S&P 500 included only two crypto-related stocks: Coinbase (COIN) and Jack Dorsey’s Block (XYZ). The addition of Robinhood makes it the third crypto-focused company to join the index, highlighting the growing importance of digital assets in the traditional financial landscape.

Analysts have noted that the exclusion of Strategy from the S&P 500 was a missed opportunity for the company and the crypto industry. The inclusion of Robinhood, in contrast, reflects the market’s increasing acceptance of fintech and crypto platforms. Before the announcement, some had speculated that Strategy might be added to the index, given its substantial Bitcoin holdings and its role as one of the largest corporate investors in the digital asset. However, the S&P 500’s inclusion criteria are not disclosed in detail, and the decision process is based on factors such as market capitalization, liquidity, and industry representation. Benchmark Co. analyst Mark Palmer reiterated a Buy rating for Strategy with a price target of $705, emphasizing that recent stock pressure was more reflective of broader market conditions rather than company-specific issues. He noted that Strategy’s flexibility in common equity issuance supports its strategy of growing Bitcoin holdings and maintaining balance sheet strength.

In the broader cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin’s price has remained relatively flat around $110,000 as investors await the Federal Reserve’s rate decision in late September. Despite weak U.S. employment data that has raised expectations for a rate cut, Bitcoin’s price has not seen a significant upward move. Analysts have attributed this to market anticipation of policy easing, institutional profit-taking, and relatively flat ETF flows. Some experts have suggested that the market may not react strongly to the Fed’s decision unless there is a shift in broader macroeconomic conditions or renewed institutional buying. The market is also closely watching the behavior of Bitcoin whales, who have sold over $12.7 billion worth of Bitcoin in the past month, according to data from CryptoQuant. This large-scale selling has contributed to short-term volatility and has pushed prices below $108,000 at times, signaling increased risk aversion among large investors.

Despite the challenges in the short-term market, some analysts remain optimistic about Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory. The one-year moving average for Bitcoin has steadily increased from $52,000 to $94,000, and some predict it will cross $100,000 in the coming months. Additionally, Bitcoin remains the primary entry point for many investors, with over $4.6 trillion in fiat on-ramps recorded between July 2024 and June 2025, according to Chainalysis. The continued adoption of Bitcoin by corporate entities and governments is also seen as a positive sign. For example, Japanese investment firm Metaplanet recently disclosed that it has increased its Bitcoin holdings to over 20,000 BTC, while El Salvador continues its Bitcoin accumulation strategy by purchasing additional coins on occasions like Bitcoin Day. These developments indicate that Bitcoin’s role as a store of value and a hedge against inflation is gaining traction, even in the face of short-term price fluctuations.

Looking ahead, the outcome of the Fed’s September rate decision will likely have a significant impact on Bitcoin’s price and market sentiment. If the Fed announces a 25 basis point rate cut, as expected, it could provide support for risk assets like Bitcoin. However, some analysts caution that the broader economic environment, including sticky inflation and cautious investor sentiment, may limit the extent of any upward movement. Institutional investors, meanwhile, are closely monitoring ETF flows and on-chain activity for signs of renewed buying pressure. If corporate and institutional demand continues to grow, it could help offset the selling pressure from large investors and provide a structural counterbalance to the current market dynamics. As the market approaches key technical levels, such as $113,400 and $115,400, traders will be watching closely to see if Bitcoin can break through these barriers and retest previous highs.

Source: [1] MSTR News: Strategy Stock Falls as Robinhood Beats It to S&P 500 Inclusion (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/09/05/michael-saylor-s-strategy-snubbed-by-s-and-p-500-amid-robinhood-s-surprise-inclusion) [2] Benchmark Maintains Buy on Strategy (MSTR) Amid Market Conditions (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/benchmark-maintains-buy-strategy-mstr-140845253.html) [3] Bitcoin Stalls Around $110,000; Fed Rate Cut May Not Spark Rally (https://www.theblock.co/post/369743/bitcoin-rate-cut-may-not-spark-rally) [4] Bitcoin Price Today: Subdued Near $111K Despite Rising Fed Cut Bets (https://www.investing.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/bitcoin-price-today-subdued-near-111k-despite-rising-fed-cut-bets-4228121) [5] Bitcoin Whales Dump $12.7B in Largest Selloff Since 2022 (https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-whales-dumped-115000-btc-largest-selloff-since-mid-2022) [6] Metaplanet, El Salvador Add Bitcoin as Sentiment Shifts (https://cointelegraph.com/news/metaplanet-el-salvador-bitcoin-purchase-2025) [7] El Salvador Celebrates Four-Year Bitcoin Anniversary, but Policies Evolve (https://cointelegraph.com/news/el-salvador-bitcoin-anniversary-mixed-results-4-years) [8] This Bitcoin Circular Economy Project From El Salvador Goes Global (https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2025/09/07/this-bitcoin-circular-economy-project-from-el-salvador-goes-global/)