Strategy (MSTR) Risk Analysis

Distributions paid to corporate U.S. holders of our Preferred Stock may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction and distributions paid to non-corporate U.S. holders of our Preferred Stock may be subject to tax at the preferential tax rates applicable to "qualified dividend income" if we have current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes and certain holding period and other requirements are met. We do not have any current or accumulated earnings and profits, and do not expect to generate current earnings and profits in the current year or the foreseeable future. Accordingly, distributions on our Preferred Stock are generally not expected to qualify as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the current year or the foreseeable future. Distributions to non-U.S. holders of our Preferred Stock that are not treated as being made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are potentially exempt from U.S. withholding tax, subject to backup withholding and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act rules. However, it is possible that a withholding agent may elect to withhold on the entire amount of such distributions, in which case any amounts withheld may be allowed as a refund or credit to the non-U.S. holder, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. We do not have any accumulated earnings and profits, and do not expect to generate current earnings and profits in the current year or the foreseeable future. However, as described above, a withholding agent may still elect to withhold U.S. withholding tax. If a withholding agent withholds from distributions any U.S. withholding tax at a rate in excess of a rate for which a non-U.S. holder is otherwise eligible, the non-U.S. holder may be able to obtain a refund of or credit for any amounts withheld in excess of the applicable rate by timely filing a refund claim with the IRS. If any distributions on our Preferred Stock are not exempt from U.S. withholding tax because of any current or accumulated earnings and profits, the market value of our Preferred Stock may decline. We intend to provide public notice to the holders of our Preferred Stock to the extent that the distributions on our Preferred Stock are not treated as being made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. However, our expectations on earnings and profits may change, and any such change could affect the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the distributions. Holders of our Preferred Stock are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the implications of our current or accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Our current intention, which is subject to change in our sole and absolute discretion, is to adjust the monthly regular dividend rate per annum on our STRC Stock in such a manner as we believe will maintain STRC Stock's trading price at or close to its stated amount of $100 per share. However, we have no obligation to do so, and even if we attempt to achieve our current stated intent, any adjustments we make to the monthly regular dividend rate per annum, or any other actions we take, may fail to achieve or maintain the trading price or value of STRC Stock near $100 per share. For example, if STRC Stock is trading at a price per share above $100 and we reduce the monthly regular dividend rate per annum with the goal of decreasing the trading price per share of STRC Stock to $100, such reduction may cause the trading price of STRC Stock to decrease by a greater amount than we anticipate, such that the trading price per share of STRC Stock may decrease below $100. Similarity, if STRC Stock is trading at a price per share below $100 and we increase the monthly regular dividend rate per annum with the goal of increasing the trading price per share of STRC Stock to $100, such increase may cause the trading price of STRC Stock to increase by a lesser amount than we anticipate, such that the trading price per share of STRC Stock may remain below $100. Further, for any additional shares of STRC Stock that we issue under the ATM of STRC Stock, our current intention (which is subject to change in our sole and absolute discretion) is to issue any such shares of STRC Stock at a price per share not less than $99 or more than $101. However, we may issue any additional shares of STRC Stock at any price we choose. Like any other security, the trading price or value of STRC Stock will depend on a wide range of factors, including those described elsewhere in Part I, Item IA "Risk Factors" of this Annual Report, many of which are beyond our control. While we expect that the dividend rate on STRC Stock will directly impact its trading price or value, there are many other factors that could have equal or more significant impacts. Any adjustment we make to the monthly regular dividend rate per annum of STRC Stock that is designed to achieve a specified trading price or value will, necessarily, be based on assumptions regarding those other factors. These assumptions will always be inaccurate or incomplete to some degree, and potentially to a material extent. Moreover, even if such an adjustment initially achieves a specified trading price or value, the trading price or value may fluctuate significantly throughout the relevant regular dividend period before we have an opportunity to adjust the monthly regular dividend rate per annum for the next regular dividend period. Importantly, the mere existence of our right to unilaterally adjust the monthly regular dividend rate per annum will impact the trading price and value of STRC Stock. Specifically, we expect the trading price of STRC Stock at any time to reflect the market's expectations at that time regarding how we will exercise this right in the foreseeable future. Comments we make regarding our intentions regarding the adjustment of the monthly regular dividend rate per annum could also impact the trading price and value of STRC Stock. Modeling the impact of market expectations on the trading price of STRC Stock may be impossible. For example, if we increase, or announce an intention to increase, the monthly regular dividend rate per annum, then the trading price of STRC Stock may in fact decrease if the market expected us to make a larger increase. From time to time, we may publicly disclose our expected policies regarding adjustments to the monthly regular dividend rate per annum of STRC Stock. These disclosures may include specific numerical frameworks setting forth the amount of any change to the monthly regular dividend rate per annum that we intend to make based on the trading price of STRC Stock or other metrics. In all cases, these disclosures refer only to our current intent as of the time of the applicable disclosure; they are neither a guarantee that STRC Stock will trade at a specified price in response to any changes to the monthly regular dividend rate per annum, nor a guarantee that we will make any specific adjustment to the monthly regular dividend rate per annum. Moreover, we are free to abandon our stated intent, as described above, or any policies or frameworks that we may subsequently disclose publicly, at any time in our sole and absolute discretion and without the consent of any preferred stockholder. See "-Our right to unilaterally reduce the regular dividend rate of STRC Stock could cause STRC Stock to accumulate dividends at rates that are below those of otherwise comparable instruments, could cause the trading price or value of STRC Stock to decrease, and could otherwise significantly harm investors" above.

STRC Stock accumulates cumulative regular dividends on the stated amount thereof at a variable rate per annum equal to the monthly regular dividend rate per annum then in effect. The monthly regular dividend rate per annum was initially set at 9.00%. However, we have the right, in our sole and absolute discretion, to adjust the monthly regular dividend rate per annum that applies to each regular dividend period that begins after the first regular dividend period. For example, most recently, on January 31, 2026, we announced an increase to the monthly regular dividend rate per annum on STRC Stock from 11.00% to 11.25% effective for monthly periods commencing on or after February 1, 2026. Our right to adjust the monthly regular dividend rate per annum is subject to certain restrictions. For example, we are not permitted to reduce the monthly regular dividend rate per annum that will apply to any regular dividend period (i) by more than the following amount from the monthly regular dividend rate per annum applicable to the prior regular dividend period: the sum of (1) 25 basis points; and (2) the excess, if any, of (x) the monthly SOFR per annum on the first business day of such prior regular dividend period, over (y) the minimum of the monthly SOFR per annum rates that occur on the business days during the period from, and including, the first business day of such prior regular dividend period to, and including, the last business day of such prior regular dividend period; or (ii) to a monthly regular dividend rate per annum that is less than the monthly SOFR per annum in effect on the business day before we provide notice of the next regular dividend rate. In addition, we are not entitled to reduce the monthly regular dividend rate per annum of STRC Stock unless, at the time we provide the related notice of the adjustment, all accumulated regular dividends, if any, on the STRC Stock then outstanding for all prior completed regular dividend periods, if any, have been paid in full (or have been declared in full and consideration in kind and amount that is sufficient, in accordance with the certificate of designations, to pay such accumulated regular dividends, is set aside for the benefit of the preferred stockholders entitled thereto). Our current intention, which is subject to change in our sole and absolute discretion, is to adjust the monthly regular dividend rate per annum in such a manner as we believe will maintain STRC Stock's trading price at or close to its stated amount of $100 per share. We may, at any time in our sole and absolute discretion, and without the consent of any holder of STRC Stock, choose to reduce the monthly regular dividend rate per annum to the maximum extent permitted by the terms of STRC Stock, without regard to the impact that reduction may have on the trading price or value of STRC Stock. If we reduce the monthly regular dividend rate per annum, then the trading price or value of STRC Stock could decrease significantly. If you hold STRC Stock at the time of such a decrease, the value of your investment could materially depreciate, and you may not be able to resell your STRC Stock at favorable prices, if at all. Moreover, the mere existence of our right to unilaterally reduce the monthly regular dividend rate per annum could, in itself, and without any actual reduction in the monthly regular dividend rate per annum, cause STRC Stock to trade at prices below those that may otherwise be expected. Notwithstanding the limitations on our ability to reduce the monthly regular dividend rate per annum, the trading price of STRC Stock could decline significantly if, for example, we reduce the dividend rate in successive regular dividend periods, or there is a market expectation that we do so. Further, consecutive monthly reductions of the regular dividends rate on STRC Stock may cause the regular dividend rate on STRC Stock to be viewed as reasonably expected to decline, which could result in adverse consequences to holders of STRC Stock. See "-The tax rules applicable to "fast-pay stock" could result in adverse consequences to holders of our Preferred Stock" above. If we reduce the monthly regular dividend rate per annum to the minimum dividend rate of the monthly SOFR per annum, and the monthly SOFR per annum thereafter increases, we will have no obligation to increase the monthly regular dividend rate per annum to the new monthly SOFR per annum. Moreover, SOFR has a limited history, and its future performance cannot be predicted. Despite our current intention, which is to adjust the monthly regular dividend rate per annum in such a manner as we believe will maintain STRC Stock's trading price at or close to its stated amount of $100 per share, since we are permitted to exercise our right to adjust the monthly regular dividend rate per annum for any reason, the trading price of STRC Stock could be significantly volatile. For example, we could choose to adjust the monthly regular dividend rate per annum for reasons not directly related to the fair market value of our bitcoin holdings, the credit spreads on our other debt and preferred stock instruments, or the interest rate environment. Accordingly, the trading profile of our STRC Stock could be significantly different than that of our other securities or other securities with variable dividend or interest rate features. Increased volatility could harm investors by, for example, causing wide fluctuations in the implied yield of the STRC Stock and otherwise increasing the uncertainty regarding the price at which investors may resell their STRC Stock, if at all. Certain provisions of STRC Stock are intended to protect investors in the event we fail to declare and pay regular dividends on STRC Stock. These provisions include restrictions on our ability to make payments on, or engage in certain other transactions relating to, other classes of our capital stock that rank junior to, or on parity with, STRC Stock. Our ability to reduce the monthly regular dividend rate per annum could cause these provisions to be inadequate to protect investors. For example, we could reduce the monthly regular dividend rate per annum to a sufficiently low rate that permits us to pay all accumulated regular dividends and avoid invoking the protective measures of these provisions.

The accounting method for reflecting the conversion and other provisions of our Preferred Stock in our financial statements may adversely affect our reported earnings. Applicable accounting standards require us to separately account for certain redemption features associated with our Preferred Stock as embedded derivatives. Under this treatment, any embedded derivatives are measured at its fair value and accounted for separately as liabilities that are marked to market at the end of each reporting period. For each financial statement period after the issuance of the preferred stock, a gain or loss would be reported in our statement of operations to the extent the valuation of any of the embedded derivatives changes from the previous period. This accounting treatment may subject our reported net income (loss) to significant non-cash volatility. In addition, the if-converted method applies to reflect our STRK Stock in the calculation of our diluted earnings per share. Under this method, diluted earnings per share is calculated assuming that our STRK Stock is converted at the beginning of the reporting period (or, if later, the time our STRK Stock is issued). However, this calculation is not made if reflecting our STRK Stock in diluted earnings per share in this manner is anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the application of the if-converted method to our STRK Stock may result in lower reported diluted earnings per share. In addition, accounting standards may change in the future. Accordingly, we may account for our Preferred Stock in a manner that is significantly different than described above.

Our operating results may fluctuate, in part, as a result of:•fluctuations in the price of bitcoin, of which we have significant holdings and with respect to which we expect to continue to make significant future purchases, and potential related fair value changes;•any sales by us of our bitcoin at prices above or below their carrying value, which would result in our recording gains or losses upon sale of our bitcoin;•the incurrence of tax liabilities with respect to our bitcoin;•regulatory, commercial, and technical developments related to bitcoin or the Bitcoin blockchain, or digital assets more generally;•the incurrence of additional dividend obligations on our outstanding or any newly issued series of preferred stock or fixed interest charges on outstanding or additional indebtedness;•the impact of war, terrorism, infectious diseases, natural disasters and other global events, and governmental responses to such events, on the global economy and the market for and price of bitcoin;•significant changes to our software business, including significant changes in our software sales or operating expenses, or the timing of announcements of new offerings or research and development projects by us or our competitors; and •our profitability and expectations for future profitability and their effect on our deferred tax balances and net income for the period in which any adjustment to our net deferred tax asset valuation allowance may be made, as well as increases or decreases in our unrecognized tax benefits.

As of January 1, 2025, we have adopted ASU 2023-08, pursuant to which we are required to recognize increases or decreases in fair value of our digital assets as incurred in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, we recognized an unrealized loss on digital assets, partially offset by a deferred tax benefit. See Part I,

We offer our analytics platform in the form of an on-premises product license or a cloud subscription; however, as of January 2025, Strategy on-premises product licenses have entered an end-of-support cycle, with full support for such licenses ending December 31, 2026. Given that customers could migrate on and off our cloud subscription platform, we could face higher future rates of attrition among our customers during this period. In addition, the payment streams and revenue recognition timing for our product licenses are different from those for our cloud subscriptions. For on-premises product licenses, customers typically pay us a lump sum soon after entering into a license agreement, and we typically recognize product licenses revenue when control of the license is transferred to the customer. For cloud subscriptions, customers typically make periodic payments over the subscription period and we recognize subscription services revenues ratably over the subscription period. As a result, as we continue to scale back our support for on-premises product licenses and as our customers increasingly shift to, or new customers purchase, cloud subscriptions instead of on-premises product licenses, the resulting change in payment terms and revenue recognition has resulted in, and may in the future result in, our recognizing less revenue in the reporting period in which the sale transactions are consummated than has been the case in prior periods, with more revenue being recognized in future periods.

Bitcoin trading venues are relatively new (compared to stock exchanges) and, in many cases, unregulated. Furthermore, there are many bitcoin trading venues which do not provide the public with significant information regarding their ownership structure, management teams, corporate practices and regulatory compliance. As a result, the marketplace may lose confidence in bitcoin trading venues, including prominent exchanges that handle a significant volume of bitcoin trading and/or are subject to regulatory oversight, in the event one or more bitcoin trading venues cease or pause for a prolonged period the trading of bitcoin or other digital assets, or experience fraud, significant volumes of withdrawal, security failures or operational problems. Reports and academic studies have estimated that a substantial portion of trading volume reported by certain unregulated crypto-asset trading venues may be non-economic in nature (including wash trading), with a December 2022 study estimating wash trading averaged over 70% of reported volume on unregulated exchanges studied. The SEC also alleged as part of its June 2023 complaint against Binance Holdings Ltd. that Binance committed strategic and targeted "wash trading" through its affiliates to artificially inflate the volume of certain digital assets traded on its exchange. The SEC has also brought recent actions against individuals and digital asset market participants alleging that such persons artificially increased trading volumes in certain digital assets through wash trades, or repeated buying and selling of the same assets in fictitious transactions to manipulate their underlying trading price. Such reports and allegations may indicate that the bitcoin market is significantly smaller than expected and that the United States makes up a significantly larger percentage of the bitcoin market than is commonly understood. Any actual or perceived wash trading in the bitcoin market, and any other fraudulent or manipulative acts and practices, could adversely affect the value of our bitcoin. Negative perception, a lack of stability in the broader bitcoin markets and the closure, temporary shutdown or operational disruption of bitcoin trading venues, lending institutions, institutional investors, institutional miners, custodians, or other major participants in the bitcoin ecosystem, due to fraud, business failure, cybersecurity events, government-mandated regulation, bankruptcy, or for any other reason, may result in a decline in confidence in bitcoin and the broader bitcoin ecosystem and greater volatility in the price of bitcoin. For example, in 2022, each of Celsius Network, Voyager Digital, Three Arrows Capital, FTX, and BlockFi filed for bankruptcy, following which the market prices of bitcoin and other digital assets significantly declined. In addition, in June 2023, the SEC announced enforcement actions against Coinbase, Inc., and Binance Holdings Ltd., two providers of large trading venues for digital assets, which similarly was followed by a decrease in the market price of bitcoin and other digital assets. These were followed in November 2023, by an SEC enforcement action against Payward Inc. and Payward Ventures Inc., together known as Kraken, another large trading venue for digital assets. Although these complaints were ultimately dismissed, the SEC or other regulatory agencies may initiate similar actions in the future. As the price of our listed securities is affected by the value of our bitcoin holdings, the failure of a major participant in the bitcoin ecosystem could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our listed securities.

Our historical financial statements prior to March 31, 2025 do not fully reflect the potential variability in earnings that we have experienced to date and may experience in the future from holding or selling significant amounts of bitcoin. The price of bitcoin has historically been subject to dramatic price fluctuations and is highly volatile. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-08, which we adopted as of January 1, 2025. We determine the fair value of our bitcoin based on quoted (unadjusted) prices on the Coinbase exchange (our principal market for bitcoin). Prior to our adoption of ASU 2023-08 on January 1, 2025, we performed an analysis each quarter to identify whether events or changes in circumstances, principally decreases in the quoted (unadjusted) prices on the active exchange, indicated that it was more likely than not that any of our bitcoin assets were impaired. In determining if an impairment had occurred, we considered the lowest price of one bitcoin quoted on the active exchange at any time since acquiring the specific bitcoin held. If the carrying value of a bitcoin exceeded that lowest price at any time during the quarter, an impairment loss was deemed to have occurred with respect to that bitcoin in the amount equal to the difference between its carrying value and such lowest price, and subsequent increases in the price of bitcoin did not affect the carrying value of our bitcoin. Gains (if any) were not recorded until realized upon sale, at which point they would be presented net of any impairment losses. In determining the gain to be recognized upon sale, we calculated the difference between the sale price and carrying value of the specific bitcoin sold immediately prior to sale. Due in part to the volatility of bitcoin, we incurred $4.06 billion of cumulative impairment on our bitcoin holdings through December 31, 2024, which losses were reflected in the financial statements for the respective periods in which the losses were incurred. ASU 2023-08 requires us to measure our bitcoin holdings at fair value in our statement of financial position, and to recognize gains and losses from changes in the fair value of our bitcoin in net income each reporting period. ASU 2023-08 also requires us to provide certain interim and annual disclosures with respect to our bitcoin holdings. As of January 1, 2025 we applied a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings of $12.75 billion. ASU 2023-08 does not permit retrospective restatement of prior periods. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, we incurred an unrealized loss on digital assets of $5.40 billion. Due to the application of a different accounting standard for the quarterly and annual periods during the year ended December 31, 2025 relative to the corresponding periods during the year ended December 31, 2024, and due to ASU 2023-08 not permitting retrospective restatement of prior periods, our results for the quarterly and annual periods during the year ended December 31, 2025 are not comparable to our results for the corresponding prior periods, and our future results will similarly not be comparable to results from periods prior to our adoption of the guidance.  Additionally, any unrealized gain on digital assets reflected in our financial results for a given period does not reflect cash actually earned by us during that period, and a significant increase in our digital assets included on our balance sheet is not associated with an actual increase in our liquidity. As a result of our adoption of ASU 2023-08, we may incur greater losses during periods when we previously would have incurred smaller losses or no losses because we had already impaired the carrying value of our bitcoin to a low price observed during a prior period, and we may also record gains during periods when the fair market value of bitcoin rises, as compared to periods prior to January 1, 2025, when we would not have recorded any gains under similar circumstances. Accordingly, due in particular to the volatility in the price of bitcoin, the adoption of ASU 2023-08 has to date increased, and we expect will continue to impact, the volatility of our financial results. For further details see "Risks Related to Our Bitcoin Strategy and Holdings-Our bitcoin strategy exposes us to various risks, including risks associated with bitcoin." Because we intend to continue increasing our bitcoin holdings, we expect that the proportion of our total assets represented by our bitcoin holdings will increase in the future, and we expect ASU 2023-08 to continue to significantly affect the carrying value of our bitcoin on our balance sheet. As a result, our earnings may be even more volatile in future periods than what we have experienced to date.

Bitcoin and other digital assets are relatively novel assets, and are subject to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty, any of which could adversely affect bitcoin's price and our ability to hold or transact in bitcoin. The application of state and federal securities laws and other laws and regulations to digital assets is unclear in certain respects, and regulators in the United States and in other countries may interpret or apply existing laws and regulations in a manner that adversely affects the price of bitcoin or the ability of individuals or institutions such as us to own or transfer bitcoin. Governments and regulators in the United States and abroad may enact new laws and regulations, or enforce or interpret existing laws or regulations, in a manner that could impose material additional regulatory burdens and costs on us or other digital asset industry participants, which could materially affect the price of bitcoin or the ability of individuals or institutions such as us to own or transfer bitcoin. For example, within the past several years: - in September 2025, Nasdaq reportedly announced new informal interpretations of its rules that require certain Nasdaq-listed companies to obtain shareholder approval before engaging in certain transactions, such as private placements for the purpose of acquiring digital assets or accepting in-kind contributions of digital assets in exchange for equity;- in July 2025, President Trump signed into law the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act ("GENIUS Act"), establishing a legislative framework for the regulation of payment stablecoins and marking the first federal legislation for the regulation of digital assets in the U.S.;- in July 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 ("CLARITY Act"), a comprehensive digital asset market structure and regulation bill. The CLARITY Act, and other digital asset market structure and regulation bills, remain under consideration and continue to evolve in the U.S. Senate;- in January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order instructing a working group comprised of representatives from key federal agencies to evaluate measures that can be taken to provide regulatory clarity and certainty built on technology-neutral regulations for individuals and firms involved in digital assets, including through well-defined jurisdictional regulatory boundaries and in July 2025, such working group published a report on strengthening American leadership in digital financial technology, which recommended several regulatory and legislative proposals to advance President Trump's January 2025 executive order;- in January 2025, the SEC announced the formation of a "Crypto Task Force," which is intended to provide clarity on the application of the federal securities laws to the crypto asset market and to recommend policy measures with respect to digital asset security status, registration and listing of digital asset-based investment vehicles, and digital asset custody, lending and staking;- in June 2023, the SEC filed complaints against Binance Holdings Ltd. and Coinbase, Inc., and their respective affiliated entities, alleging, among other things, that each was operating as an unregistered securities exchange, broker, dealer, and clearing agency;- in November 2023, the SEC filed a complaint against Payward Inc. and Payward Ventures Inc., together known as Kraken, alleging, among other claims, that Kraken's crypto trading platform was operating as an unregistered securities exchange, broker, dealer, and clearing agency;- in November 2023, Binance Holdings Ltd. and its then chief executive officer reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), the Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control, and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to resolve a multi-year investigation by those agencies and a civil suit brought by the CFTC, pursuant to which Binance Holdings Ltd. agreed to, among other things, pay $4.3 billion in penalties across the four agencies and to discontinue its operations in the United States;- in June 2023, the United Kingdom adopted and implemented the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, which regulates market activities in "cryptoassets;"- in May 2023, the European Union adopted Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation ("MiCA"), a comprehensive digital asset regulatory framework for the issuance and use of digital assets, like bitcoin; and - in China, the People's Bank of China and the National Development and Reform Commission have outlawed cryptocurrency mining and declared all cryptocurrency transactions illegal within the country. Although the complaints against Coinbase, Inc., Payward Inc., Payward Ventures Inc. and Binance Holdings Ltd. have been dismissed, the SEC, CFTC, foreign governments, states, or other regulatory agencies may initiate similar actions in the future, which could materially affect the price of bitcoin and our ability to own or transfer bitcoin. It is not possible to predict whether or when new laws and regulations will change the legal framework governing digital assets or expand the authority of the SEC, the CFTC, or other regulators, or whether or when any other federal, state or foreign bodies will take similar actions.  For example, the proposed CLARITY Act discussed above could, if it became law, grant the CFTC additional regulatory and supervisory powers with respect to spot digital assets, including bitcoin, as "digital commodities" and potentially impose additional registration, disclosure, reporting, and business conduct requirements on us. In addition, we cannot predict the nature or market effects of any future laws or expansion of oversight, including the impacts to the functioning of digital asset markets, the willingness of financial and other institutions to provide services to the digital assets industry, or the value of digital assets generally and bitcoin specifically. The consequences of any new legal requirements relating to digital assets could adversely affect the market price of bitcoin and our ability to hold or transact in bitcoin, and in turn adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and the market price of our listed securities. Furthermore, as more companies adopt strategies with respect to bitcoin or digital assets similar to ours, governments and regulatory agencies may be prompted to enact new laws, regulations, or interpretations, which may adversely affect our bitcoin strategy. Moreover, the risks of engaging in a bitcoin strategy are relatively novel and have created, and could continue to create, complications due to the lack of experience that third parties have with companies engaging in such a strategy, such as increased costs of director and officer liability insurance or the potential inability to obtain such coverage on acceptable terms in the future. Growth of the digital assets industry in general, and the use and acceptance of bitcoin in particular, are highly uncertain and may also impact the price of bitcoin. The pace of growth in the adoption and use of bitcoin may depend, for instance, on public familiarity with digital assets, ease of buying, accessing or gaining exposure to bitcoin, institutional demand for bitcoin as an investment asset, participation by traditional financial institutions in the digital assets industry, consumer demand for bitcoin as a store of value or medium of exchange, and the availability and popularity of alternatives to bitcoin. Even if growth in bitcoin adoption occurs in the near or medium-term, there is no assurance that bitcoin usage will continue to grow over the long-term or that any such growth will be sustained. The liquidity and public perception of bitcoin may also suffer if financial institutions deny or limit banking services to businesses that hold bitcoin, provide bitcoin-related services or accept bitcoin as payment, which could also decrease the price of bitcoin. Actions by U.S. banking regulators, such as the issuance in February 2023 by federal banking agencies of the "Interagency Liquidity Risk Statement," which cautioned banks on contagion risks posed by providing services to digital assets customers, and similar actions, have in the past reduced access to banking services for bitcoin-related customers and service providers, or the willingness of traditional financial institutions to participate in markets for digital assets. The liquidity of bitcoin may also be impacted to the extent that changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements negatively impact the ability of exchanges and trading venues to provide services for bitcoin and other digital assets. Bitcoin has no physical existence beyond the record of transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain. As a result, factors such as malicious attacks by miners, inadequate mining fees to incentivize validation of bitcoin transactions, hard "forks" of the Bitcoin blockchain into multiple blockchains, and advances in digital computing, algebraic geometry, and quantum computing could undermine the integrity of the Bitcoin blockchain and negatively affect the price of bitcoin and, in turn, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and the trading price of our listed securities.

As of January 1, 2025, we have adopted ASU 2023-08, pursuant to which we are required to recognize increases or decreases in fair value of our digital assets as incurred in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Our unrealized loss on digital assets for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 was $5.40 billion, partially offset by $1.55 billion in deferred tax benefit. We may not be able to regain profitability in future periods, particularly if we incur significant unrealized losses related to our digital assets, which will depend on the price of bitcoin at the end of the applicable period. As a result, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected. Additionally, unrealized gains on digital assets do not generate cash. For example, we reported significant unrealized gains on digital assets during the six-month period ended June 30, 2025; however, we experienced negative cash flow for that period, and we may continue to experience significant negative cash flow notwithstanding future unrealized gains on digital assets unless we sell our bitcoin or otherwise generate cash from our bitcoin holdings. As of December 31, 2025, we had deferred tax liabilities with respect to the unrealized gain on our bitcoin holdings of approximately $2.42 billion. Our deferred tax liabilities were partially offset by deferred tax assets, such as net operating losses and capitalized research and development costs. As of December 31, 2025, the cost basis of the bitcoin we held was less than its fair market value. However as of the date of this report, the cost basis of the bitcoin we hold exceeds its fair market value. If the fair market value of bitcoin declines as of the end of any future period from the end of the prior period, our deferred tax liability with respect to unrealized gains, if any, on our bitcoin holdings will decrease and we may be required to establish additional valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets. If the fair market value of bitcoin declines to the point where the cost basis of the bitcoin we hold exceeds its fair market value as of the end of any future period, the deferred tax liability with respect to the unrealized gains would be reversed and a deferred tax asset for the unrealized loss would be recorded and we would be required to establish a valuation allowance against all of our US federal and state deferred tax assets. Such increases in valuation allowances could materially and adversely affect net income in periods in which such charges are incurred.

For many reasons, including those described below, our operating results, revenues, and expenses have varied in the past and may vary significantly in the future from quarter to quarter and year to year. As a result, comparisons of our operating results from one period to the next are not a good indication of our future performance. These fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of our listed securities. Fluctuations in Operating Results. Our operating results may fluctuate, in part, as a result of: - fluctuations in the price of bitcoin, of which we have significant holdings and with respect to which we expect to continue to make significant future purchases, and potential related fair value changes;- any sales by us of our bitcoin at prices above or below their carrying value, which would result in our recording gains or losses upon sale of our bitcoin;- the incurrence of tax liabilities with respect to our bitcoin;- regulatory, commercial, and technical developments related to bitcoin or the Bitcoin blockchain, or digital assets more generally;- the incurrence of additional dividend obligations on our outstanding Preferred Stock or newly issued preferred stock or fixed interest charges on outstanding or additional indebtedness;- the impact of war, terrorism, infectious diseases, natural disasters and other global events, and governmental responses to such events, on the global economy and the market for and price of bitcoin;- significant changes to our software business, including significant changes in our software sales or operating expenses, or the timing of announcements of new offerings or research and development projects by us or our competitors; and - our profitability and expectations for future profitability and their effect on our deferred tax balances and net income for the period in which any adjustment to our net deferred tax asset valuation allowance may be made, as well as increases or decreases in our unrecognized tax benefits. Limited Ability to Adjust Expenses. We base our operating expense budgets on expected revenue trends and our strategic objectives. Many of our expenses, such as dividend obligations on our outstanding Preferred Stock, interest expense on our debt, tax liabilities, office leases and certain personnel costs, are relatively fixed in the short term. We do not expect the cash generated by our software operations to be sufficient to cover such expenses, and we expect to use cash proceeds from sales of our class A common stock under our ATM, cash we hold in the USD Reserve and cash proceeds from additional equity or debt financings (including, but not limited to, ATMs of our STRC Stock, STRK Stock, or STRD Stock, as applicable) to pay our expenses and satisfy our liquidity needs that are in excess of our operating cash flows. If we deplete our USD Reserve and are unable to secure equity or debt financing in a timely manner, on favorable terms, or at all, we may be required to sell bitcoin to satisfy our financial obligations. Such actions could cause significant variation in our operating results in any quarter. Based on the above factors, we believe quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year comparisons of our operating results are not a good indication of our future performance. For example, during consecutive quarters in 2025 we experienced a quarter with gains on digital assets followed by a quarter with losses on digital assets, and vice versa. The price of bitcoin and our results have fluctuated similarly during other periods, and we expect they will continue to fluctuate significantly in future periods. Additionally, for the reasons described above, it is possible that in one or more future quarters or years, our operating results may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. In that event, the market price of our listed securities may decline.

Historically, the bitcoin market has been characterized by significant volatility in price, limited liquidity and trading volumes compared to sovereign currencies markets, relative anonymity, a developing regulatory landscape, potential susceptibility to market abuse and manipulation, compliance and internal control failures at exchanges, and various other risks inherent in its entirely electronic, virtual form and decentralized network. In December 2025, we established the USD Reserve to support the payment of dividends on our preferred stock and interest on our outstanding indebtedness. As of February 13, 2026, the balance of the USD Reserve was $2.25 billion. If we deplete our USD Reserve and we are unable to secure equity or debt financing in a timely manner, on favorable terms, or at all, we may be required to sell bitcoin to satisfy our financial obligations or liquidity needs, and we may be required to make such sales at prices below our cost basis or on terms that are otherwise unfavorable. Additionally, during periods of market instability, we may not be able to sell our bitcoin at favorable prices or at all. For example, a number of bitcoin trading venues temporarily halted deposits and withdrawals in 2022, although the Coinbase exchange (our principal market for bitcoin) has, to date, not done so. As a result, our bitcoin holdings may not be able to serve as a source of liquidity for us to the same extent as cash and cash equivalents. Further, the bitcoin that we hold with our custodians and transact with our trade execution partners does not enjoy the same protections as are available to cash or securities deposited with or transacted by institutions subject to regulation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Additionally, we may be unable to enter into loans or other capital raising transactions collateralized by our unencumbered bitcoin or otherwise generate funds using our bitcoin holdings, including in particular during periods of market instability or when the price of bitcoin has declined significantly. If we are unable to sell our bitcoin, enter into additional capital raising transactions, including capital raising transactions using bitcoin as collateral, or otherwise generate funds using our bitcoin holdings, or if we are forced to sell our bitcoin at a significant loss, in order to meet our financial obligations and liquidity needs, our business and financial condition could be negatively impacted.

We currently intend to fund any dividends paid in cash on our Preferred Stock primarily through proceeds from sales of our class A common stock under our ATM. We may also fund such dividends using cash held in our USD Reserve or through additional capital raising activities, including, but not limited to, ATMs of our STRC Stock, STRK Stock, or STRD Stock,as applicable, or other equity or debt financings. However, our ability to declare and pay cash dividends on our Preferred Stock will depend on many factors, including the following: - our financial condition, including the amount of cash we have in our USD Reserve (which may fluctuate over time);- the amount of cash, if any, generated by our operations and financing activities (including our ability to raise additional capital from the equity capital markets on favorable terms or at all);- our anticipated financing needs, including the amounts needed to service our indebtedness or other obligations;- the degree to which we decide to reinvest any cash generated by our operations or financing activities to fund our future operations;- the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us;- legal or regulatory restrictions on our ability to declare and pay dividends, including under the Delaware General Corporation Law;- in the case of STRE Stock, prevailing USD-to-Euro currency exchange rates;- our ability to sell equity securities under ATMs, including our class A common stock to maintain and grow our USD Reserve; and - contractual restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. In addition, subject to limited exceptions for each of our STRF Stock and STRK Stock set forth in the applicable certificate of designations, our board of directors or any duly authorized committee thereof may choose not to declare or pay dividends, as applicable, or may pay less than the full amount of dividends, on our Preferred Stock for any reason. If we fail to declare and pay dividends on any series of our Preferred Stock in full, then the value of that series or our other series of Preferred Stock, as well as our class A common stock, will likely decline. Provisions contained in the instruments governing our future indebtedness may restrict or prohibit us from paying cash dividends on our Preferred Stock. If the terms of our indebtedness restrict or prohibit us from paying dividends, then we may seek to refinance that indebtedness or seek a waiver that would permit the payment of dividends. However, we may be unable or may choose not to refinance the indebtedness or obtain a waiver. If we issue any dividend senior stock in the future, such dividend senior stock could contain provisions that prohibit us from paying accumulated dividends on our Preferred Stock or common stock, or from purchasing, redeeming or acquiring our Preferred Stock or common stock until and unless we first pay accumulated dividends in full on such dividend senior stock. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, we may declare dividends on our Preferred Stock only out of our "surplus" (which generally means our total assets less total liabilities, each measured at their fair market values, less statutory capital), or, if there is no surplus, out of our net profits for the current or the immediately preceding fiscal year. We may not have sufficient surplus or net profits to declare and pay dividends on our Preferred Stock in cash, even if we have cash available in our USD Reserve. Additionally, under Delaware law, a corporation must have funds "legally available" for the payment of the dividends in addition to having the requisite surplus, meaning that the dividend will not cause the corporation to become insolvent or unable to continue as a going concern. If we are unable or, if permitted, decide not to pay accumulated dividends on our STRK Stock in cash, then we may, but are not obligated, subject to a limited exception, to elect to pay dividends on our STRK Stock in shares of our class A common stock. However, the payment of dividends in shares of our class A common stock will cause dilution to holders of our class A common stock and exposes holders of our STRK Stock to dilution and the risk of fluctuations in the price of our class A common stock. Additionally, even if we choose to pay dividends on our STRK Stock in shares of class A common stock, the number of shares of class A common stock that we are permitted to deliver may be limited by the terms of the STRK Stock, the number of our authorized but unissued shares, stock exchange rules, or other legal or contractual constraints. If we fail to declare and pay full dividends on our Preferred Stock, then we will be prohibited from paying dividends on our class A common stock and any other junior securities, subject to limited exceptions. Although we do not currently pay dividends on our class A common stock, if we decide to do so in the future, a reduction or elimination of dividends on our class A common stock may cause the trading price of our class A common stock to decline, which, in turn, will likely depress the value of our Preferred Stock.

If we liquidate, dissolve or wind up, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, then our assets will be available for distribution to our equity holders, including holders of our class A common stock and our Preferred Stock, only if all of our then outstanding indebtedness is first paid in full. The remaining assets, if any, would then be allocated among the holders of our equity securities in accordance with their respective liquidation rights and priorities. With respect to payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our series of Preferred Stock rank, from highest to lowest, as follows: STRF Stock, STRC Stock, STRE Stock, STRK Stock, and STRD Stock, and subject to the availability of assets and the rights of any securities ranking senior, each series of Preferred Stock would be entitled to receive its applicable liquidation preference (and any unpaid accumulated dividends, if applicable), pro rata among holders of that series, in that order, before any payments are made to the class A common stock holders. If we issue any other series of preferred stock in the future that is senior to any existing series of Preferred Stock (any such stock, "liquidation senior stock"), any amounts payable upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up to liquidation senior stock must be paid in full before any payments may be made to any other series of Preferred Stock that ranks junior to such liquidation senior stock or to the class A common stock. If there are insufficient remaining assets available to pay the full liquidation preference (and any unpaid accumulated dividends, if applicable) on any series of liquidation senior stock, holders of each series of stock that ranks junior to that series of liquidation senior stock will not receive any value for their shares. As of December 31, 2025, excluding intercompany indebtedness, we had approximately $8.25 billion in aggregate principal amount of consolidated indebtedness outstanding, all of which ranks senior to our Preferred Stock and our common stock. In addition, our subsidiaries have no obligation to pay any amounts on the Preferred Stock. If any of our subsidiaries liquidate, dissolve or wind up, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, then we, as a direct or indirect common equity owner of any such subsidiaries, will be subject to the prior claims of such subsidiaries' creditors, including trade creditors and preferred equity holders, if any. As a result of this structural subordination, we may not receive any amounts from such subsidiaries, and the assets of such subsidiaries may never be available to make payments on the Preferred Stock.

We are currently assigned a corporate credit rating of ‘B-' from S&P Global Ratings based on its evaluation of our creditworthiness. Although our corporate credit rating from S&P Global Ratings is currently below investment grade, there can be no assurance that we will not be further downgraded. Credit rating reductions or other negative actions by one or more rating agencies could adversely affect our access to funding sources, the cost and other terms of obtaining funding as well as our overall financial condition, operating results and cash flow.

Our bitcoin strategy includes acquiring bitcoin using proceeds from equity and debt financings and, if available, cash flows from operations. As such, despite our current level of indebtedness, we may incur substantially more indebtedness, and we may enter into other transactions in the future. Even if we were to enter into debt or other arrangements that contain restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, these restrictions may be subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions that would allow us to incur significant additional indebtedness. To the extent we incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, the risks described herein with respect to our indebtedness may increase significantly.

We receive dividends, distributions, and other payments from our subsidiaries to fund our obligations, including those arising under the Convertible Notes, and our other long-term indebtedness, and meet our cash needs. The operating results of our subsidiaries at any given time may not be sufficient to make dividends, distributions, or other payments to us in order to allow us to make payments on the Convertible Notes, and our other long-term indebtedness. In addition, dividends, distributions, or other payments, as well as other transfers of assets, between our subsidiaries and from our subsidiaries to us may be subject to legal, regulatory, or contractual restrictions, which may materially adversely affect our ability to transfer cash within our consolidated companies and our ability to meet our cash needs and service our indebtedness.

In the event the conditional conversion feature of the Convertible Notes is triggered, holders of the applicable Convertible Notes will be entitled to convert such notes at any time during specified periods at their option. If one or more holders elect to convert their Convertible Notes, unless we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation by delivering solely shares of our class A common stock (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we would be required to settle a portion or all of our conversion obligation through the payment of cash, which could adversely affect our liquidity. Furthermore, even if holders do not elect to convert their Convertible Notes, we could be required under applicable accounting rules to reclassify all or a portion of the outstanding principal of the applicable Convertible Notes as a current rather than long-term liability, which would result in a material reduction of our net working capital.

In connection with any conversion of the Convertible Notes, unless we elect (or have previously irrevocably elected) to deliver solely shares of our class A common stock to settle such conversion (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we will be required to make cash payments in respect of the Convertible Notes being converted. However, any future debt may contain limitations on our ability to (i) pay cash upon conversion or redemption of the Convertible Notes, which may require us to elect to deliver solely shares of our class A common stock to settle such conversion (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), or (ii) sell certain bitcoin to generate cash that can be used to make such cash payments. Upon a fundamental change as defined in the indentures governing the Convertible Notes, the holders of such notes will have the right to require us to offer to purchase all of the applicable notes then outstanding at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date. Moreover, the exercise by holders of the Convertible Notes of their right to require us to repurchase such Convertible Notes could cause a default under future debt agreements, even if the change of control or fundamental change itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on us. In order to obtain sufficient funds to pay the purchase price of such notes, we expect that we would have to refinance the Convertible Notes or obtain a waiver from the applicable holders of Convertible Notes and we may not be able to refinance the Convertible Notes on reasonable terms, if at all. Absent a waiver from the applicable holders of Convertible Notes, our failure to offer to purchase all applicable Convertible Notes or to purchase all validly tendered Convertible Notes would be an event of default under the indentures governing the Convertible Notes. In addition, holders of Convertible Notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their notes on the following dates with respect to the following Convertible Notes: September 15, 2027 (2028 Convertible Notes), June 1, 2028 (2029 Convertible Notes), September 15, 2028 (2030A Convertible Notes and 2031 Convertible Notes), March 1, 2028 (2030B Convertible Notes), and June 15, 2029 (2032 Convertible Notes), in each case, at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on and to refinance our indebtedness depends on and is subject to our financial and operating performance, which is influenced, in part, by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, counterparty business, and other risks that are beyond our control, including the availability of financing in the U.S. banking and capital markets. If our cash flows and capital resources, including our USD Reserve, are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, including our bitcoin, seek additional capital, or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We cannot assure you that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our indebtedness, to refinance our indebtedness, or to fund our other liquidity needs. Even if refinancing indebtedness is available, any refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants that could further restrict our business operations. In addition, our bitcoin strategy anticipates that we may issue additional debt in future periods to finance additional purchases of bitcoin, but if we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt and make necessary capital expenditures, we may be required to sell bitcoin. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations or our financial covenants, which could cause us to default on our debt obligations. In addition, any failure to make payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness on a timely basis would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under any of our indebtedness, the holders of the defaulted indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Any of these events could in turn result in cross-defaults under our other indebtedness. We may not have sufficient funds available to pay the amounts due upon any such default, particularly in the event that there has been a decrease in the fair market value of our bitcoin holdings, and we may not be able to raise additional funds to pay such amounts on a timely basis, on terms we find acceptable, or at all. Any financing that we may undertake under such circumstances could result in substantial dilution of our existing stockholders, and in the absence of being able to obtain such financing, we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

As of February 13, 2026, we held approximately 717,131 bitcoins that were acquired at an aggregate purchase price of $54.5 billion and we intend to purchase additional bitcoin and increase our overall holdings of bitcoin in the future. The concentration of our bitcoin holdings limits the risk mitigation that we could achieve if we were to purchase a more diversified portfolio of assets, which enhances the risks inherent in our bitcoin strategy. Any future significant declines in the price of bitcoin would have a more pronounced impact on our financial condition than if we had used our cash to purchase a more diverse portfolio of assets.

Our bitcoin strategy exposes us to the risk of non-performance by counterparties, whether contractual or otherwise. Risk of non-performance includes inability or refusal of a counterparty to perform because of a deterioration in the counterparty's financial condition and liquidity or for any other reason. For example, our execution partners, custodians, or other counterparties might fail to perform in accordance with the terms of our agreements with them, which could result in a loss of bitcoin, a loss of the opportunity to generate funds, or other losses. Additionally, with more companies adopting a bitcoin strategy similar to ours, our counterparties and service providers may experience increased demand for their services, which could impact the level or quality of service we receive, or the pricing of these services in the future. Our principal counterparty risk with respect to our bitcoin is the risk that our custodians may fail to perform their obligations under our custody arrangements. A series of recent high-profile bankruptcies, closures, liquidations, regulatory enforcement actions and other events relating to companies operating in the digital assets industry, including the filings for bankruptcy protection by Three Arrows Capital, Celsius Network, Voyager Digital, FTX Trading and Genesis Global Capital, the closure or liquidation of certain financial institutions that provided lending and other services to the digital assets industry, including Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank, SEC enforcement actions against Coinbase, Inc., Binance Holdings Ltd., and Kraken, the placement of Prime Trust, LLC into receivership following a cease-and-desist order issued by Nevada's Department of Business and Industry, and the filing and subsequent settlement of a civil fraud lawsuit by the New York Attorney General against Genesis Global Capital, its parent company Digital Currency Group, Inc., and former partner Gemini Trust Company have highlighted the perceived and actual counterparty risk applicable to digital asset ownership and trading. Although these bankruptcies, closures and liquidations have not resulted in any loss or misappropriation of our bitcoin, nor have such events adversely impacted our access to our bitcoin, legal precedent created in these bankruptcy and other proceedings may increase the risk of future rulings adverse to our interests in the event one or more of our custodians becomes a debtor in a bankruptcy case or is the subject of other liquidation, insolvency or similar proceedings. While all of our custodians are subject to regulatory regimes intended to protect customers in the event of a custodial bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceeding, no assurance can be provided that our custodially-held bitcoin will not become part of the custodian's insolvency estate if one or more of our custodians enters bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceedings. Additionally, if we pursue any strategies to create income streams or otherwise generate funds using our bitcoin holdings, we would become subject to additional counterparty risks. Any significant non-performance by counterparties, including in particular the custodians with which we custody substantially all of our bitcoin, could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results.