What happened: Strategy (MSTR) stock rose early Monday after Michael Saylor’s bitcoin (BTC-USD) juggernaut disclosed that it raised $263 million by selling common stock last week.

Strategy did not buy or sell any bitcoin over the same period, according to the regulatory filing.

What’s behind the move? The stock sale gives the company more runway to fund its dividends without reducing the size of its bitcoin stash. 

Strategy stock is down 38% since the start of 2026. A monthlong bitcoin downturn has intensified pressure on the company, which has a complicated capital structure and growing dividend obligations.

Late last month, the firm launched a turnaround plan that included authorization to sell up to $1.25 billion of its bitcoin. The proceeds can be used to grow its cash reserve or buy back shares. Strategy also authorized as much as $2 billion in stock buybacks, split evenly between preferred and common stock.

Strategy hasn’t sold any of its bitcoin in the past two weeks. However, it did sell 2,225 bitcoin at the beginning of July. 

What else you need to know: Strategy is facing a difficult balancing act. It aims to meet rising cash needs amid bitcoin’s bear market.

Late last year, it established a cash reserve to cover interest and dividend payments. But Strategy’s move to sell bitcoin came as a significant reversal for the midcap business software firm that rebuilt its identity around accumulating bitcoin beginning in August 2020.

Executive chair Michael Saylor promoted the philosophy for years, declaring in February last year on X, “Never sell your bitcoin.”

David Hollerith covers a range of developments throughout the financial sector, from Wall Street to banking and asset management to crypto and fintech. Email him at david.hollerith@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on X at @DsHollers.

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