Semler Scientific, a healthcare technology company, has recently invested an additional $23 million in Bitcoin, acquiring 237 more BTC at a rate of just over $98,000 per coin. This purchase boosts the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to 2,321 BTC, now valued at nearly $192 million, with an average acquisition cost below $83,000 per coin. The company financed these acquisitions through stock sales and operational cash flow.
Semler has issued over $120 million in stock to support its Bitcoin purchases and other ventures, leading to a dramatic increase in its “Bitcoin yield” from 72.6% to 99.3%. This yield reflects the ratio of Bitcoin holdings to outstanding shares, serving as a benchmark for corporate performance. The company asserts that these metrics help investors understand its Bitcoin acquisition strategy.
Earlier, in July, company executives indicated that acquiring Bitcoin enabled Semler Scientific to overcome its financial difficulties, shedding its “zombie” status—an industry term for companies that operate only to meet debt obligations without generating growth capital. CEO Doug Murphy-Chutorian reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Bitcoin investments in November, underscoring a strategic focus on accumulating and retaining Bitcoin assets.
The concept of Bitcoin yield was popularized by MicroStrategy, which began acquiring Bitcoin under the leadership of former CEO Michael Saylor in 2020. MicroStrategy’s stock significantly appreciated afterward, inspired by other companies, like Semler, attempting similar strategies. These companies include Hoth Therapeutics, Genius Group, and Rumble, among others.
As of January 13, corporate treasuries hold over $54 billion in Bitcoin, with Semler’s treasury ranking 13th among publicly listed companies, while MicroStrategy maintains the largest Bitcoin treasury exceeding $40 billion. The push toward Bitcoin investments by various institutional investors, including notable figures like Paul Tudor Jones, stems from concerns over inflation, with digital assets seen as potential safeguards against financial uncertainty.