**MSCI Decides to Maintain Digital-Asset Treasury Companies in Benchmark Indexes**
Major stock indices provider Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) has chosen not to remove digital-asset treasury companies (DATs) from its benchmark indexes for the time being. This decision provides a welcome reprieve for crypto-related equities such as Michael Saylor’s Strategy, which holds a significant amount of Bitcoin on its balance sheet but does not directly operate within the blockchain industry.
### MSCI Shelves Plan to Drop Crypto Treasuries
In October, MSCI had announced it was evaluating whether digital asset treasury companies should remain included in its Global Investable Market Indexes (GIMIs) ahead of an index rebalancing event scheduled for February. The proposal aimed to reconsider the classification and treatment of companies with significant digital asset exposure.
However, on Tuesday, MSCI stated that it will not proceed with the planned changes at this time. The company clarified:
> “For the time being, the current index treatment of DATCOs identified in the preliminary list published by MSCI of companies whose digital asset holdings represent 50% or more of their total assets will remain unchanged.”
### Positive Impact for Crypto Treasury Firms
This announcement is considered a major bullish trigger for DATs. The formal exclusion of these companies could have led public firms like Strategy and others following similar Bitcoin-focused approaches to lose billions in passive capital inflows.
Strategy, the largest crypto treasury company with approximately 673,783 Bitcoin, described MSCI’s decision as “a strong outcome for neutral indexing and economic reality.”
### Future Outlook and Ongoing Reviews
Despite the temporary reprieve, concerns remain about whether digital-asset treasury companies will continue to qualify for inclusion in MSCI indexes long-term. The index provider plans to conduct a broader review to differentiate between investment companies and firms that hold digital assets as part of their core operating activities.
MSCI explained that:
> “This broader review is intended to ensure consistency and continued alignment with the overall objectives of the MSCI Indexes, which seek to measure the performance of operating companies and exclude entities whose primary activities are investment-oriented in nature.”
### Market Reaction
Following the MSCI announcement, shares of Strategy (MSTR) surged approximately 6.8% to $168.60 in after-hours trading, according to Yahoo Finance data. Other digital-asset treasury companies, including Tom Lee’s Bitmine Immersion, Sharplink, and Twenty One Capital (XXI), also saw notable gains in after-hours market activity.
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The MSCI’s decision signals cautious optimism for crypto treasury companies, reflecting ongoing industry discussions about how digital assets intersect with traditional financial markets. Investors and market watchers will be closely monitoring MSCI’s upcoming broader review for further guidance on the classification of these evolving companies.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/bitcoin/win-for-bitcoin-giant-strategy-as-msci-pauses-decision-to-exclude-digital-asset-treasury-firms-from-indexes-%e2%8b%86-zycrypto/