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It’s Troy Miller here, and in the fast lane of tech and finance, if you’re not willing to look ahead, you might as well plan to be left behind. Microsoft finds itself in a familiar but ever-evolving bind: And it’s all thanks to Bitcoin. 

The software behemoth is slated to vote on whether it should assess Bitcoin as an investment option—a vote prompted by a proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR). The stakes? Quite high. If Microsoft ignores Bitcoin and prices surge, the company may face lawsuits from disgruntled shareholders accusing it of negligence in its “fiduciary duty” to maximize returns.

The Document that revealed the upcoming vote. Source: SEC

Let’s dive into the core of this issue: Microsoft’s fiduciary duty. Companies are legally obligated to do what’s best for shareholders. Make money. That’s why Joe Rogan likes to describe companies as psychopaths. I digress. 

Ethically, they are supposed to consider every asset class that could provide value. For those paying attention to the long-term patterns and institutional endorsements of Bitcoin, this digital asset looks less like a speculative “maybe” and more like a missed opportunity if shunned entirely. 

Ethan Peck, deputy director of the NCPPR’s Free Enterprise Project, summed it up well, talking to CoinTelegraph warning that if Microsoft rejects Bitcoin as a potential investment and Bitcoin’s price then skyrockets, shareholders might indeed have a case. It’s as though Microsoft is setting itself up for a “coulda, woulda, shoulda” lawsuit scenario if Bitcoin repeats the massive gains that investors have witnessed in recent years.

“So should Microsoft publicly and explicitly determine in this assessment (undoubtedly based on shaky and biased morale) that it’s not in the best interest of Microsoft shareholders to purchase any Bitcoin, and then Bitcoin proceeds to increase in value (as it likely will), then there may be grounds for shareholders to sue the Company,” said Peck to  CoinTelegraph.

Of course, Microsoft’s board has already recommended shareholders vote against the proposal, playing the card that they already keep a close eye on “a wide range of investable assets.” But does that stance hold water? Sure, Microsoft may track assets, but what’s the point if they remain perpetually on the sidelines while other companies dive in and reap the rewards? Just look at MicroStrategy. With an aggressive Bitcoin investment strategy, the business intelligence firm has outperformed Microsoft by over 300% this year. And remember, this is a company operating with a fraction of Microsoft’s resources, workforce, and market power.

Michael Saylor poking the bear, Source: X

Now, Microsoft’s current stance isn’t entirely unexpected. Like any major corporation, they have PR and risk management departments that can recite risk-averse strategies in their sleep. But here’s the kicker: Bitcoin adoption is marching forward regardless of Microsoft’s hesitance. The introduction of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and a broader institutional embrace of crypto assets means Microsoft’s reluctance might start to look a little behind-the-times. Dismissing Bitcoin as merely a “speculative asset” is a narrative that feels stale in 2024.

Bitcoin’s value, currently hovering around $67,000, is down from a recent peak. However, volatility aside, the bigger trend has been upward. And let’s not forget, Bitcoin’s track record makes it a rare and possibly valuable counterweight in a diversified portfolio. If Microsoft views Bitcoin only as a curiosity or hype train, they risk misinterpreting the role it might play—not just as a hedge against inflation but as a groundbreaking store of value that a growing number of Fortune 500 companies and asset managers are integrating into their financial ecosystems. If Microsoft wants data, show ‘em this chart below, I’ll wait.

Source: CaseBitcoin

Even if the proposal fails, as Peck noted, the discussion has already planted seeds for future shareholder engagement. This vote, happening in December, may not result in an immediate change of heart for Microsoft’s board, but the conversation isn’t going away. With each passing year and each Bitcoin rally, the push from shareholders will likely grow louder. Microsoft will have to ask itself whether staying on the sidelines is worth the potential costs. In this rapidly shifting tech landscape, the last thing a powerhouse like Microsoft wants is to look like a latecomer, missing out on what could be a defining financial shift.

Bottom line? Microsoft might feel comfortable letting others test the waters. But sooner or later, tech giants will have to decide whether they want to lead the charge into the new financial frontier or play it safe at the risk of becoming irrelevant in the eyes of forward-thinking investors.

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