MSCI drops plan to exclude digital asset treasury firms, to launch broader review

Published 01/06/2026, 06:32 PM
Updated 01/06/2026, 06:36 PM
© Reuters.

© Reuters.

In this article:

Jan 6 (Reuters) - MSCI said on Tuesday it will not proceed with a proposal to exclude digital asset treasury companies, or DATCOs, from its indexes, but will launch a broader consultation on how non-operating companies should be treated.

MSCI said it would maintain the existing treatment of companies on its preliminary list of DATCOs, defined as those whose digital asset holdings account for 50% or more of total assets.

That means Strategy will remain in the firm’s global benchmarks for now.

Shares of Strategy rose around 6% in after-market trading. The stock slumped about 47.5% in 2025.

"MSCI confirmed Digital Asset Treasury Companies will remain in MSCI Indexes for the Feb 2026 review. A strong outcome for neutral indexing and economic reality," Strategy said in a post on X.

MSCI said that feedback from investors showed concern that some DATCOs share characteristics with investment funds.

"Distinguishing between investment companies and other companies that hold non-operating assets, such as digital assets, as part of their core operations rather than for investment purposes requires further research and consultation with market participants," MSCI said in the statement.

"For instance, assessing index eligibility across a range of these types of entities may require additional inclusion assessment criteria, such as financial-statement-based or other indicators."

Latest comments

pro badge
MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) is merely an index provider and should not establish rules and regulations to punish one or two companies that hold more than 50% of digital assets unless for the purpose to eliminate competitors in order to promote Morgan Stanley Bitcoin ETF by some "people with interest". No wonder NASDAQ, FTSE Russell and S&P Global don't even bother to look on this matter. It is pretty simple, either you allow digital asset treasuries (DATs) in your list or not. If not kick them all out. The same goes to those partly data center and partly crypto mining companies like IRENE, WULF, MARA, CLSK, RIOT, APLD etc ...... If there is any potential misconduct or suspected manipulation then report to SEC.
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2026 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.