Michael Saylor Calls Out Apple’s Buyback Strategy: “Buy Bitcoin Instead”

Apple’s $110 billion share buyback plan is facing scrutiny and Michael Saylor has a pointed alternative: Bitcoin.

The MicroStrategy executive chairman weighed in after CNBC’s Jim Cramer criticized Apple’s aggressive repurchase program, saying it “isn’t working” as intended. Saylor’s response was concise and direct: “Buy Bitcoin instead.”

The comment comes at a moment when Bitcoin is outperforming legacy assets, and major corporations are quietly adjusting their own treasury strategies.

A Widening Performance Gap

So far in 2025, Apple shares are down 17%. In the same timeframe, Bitcoin is up 17%. Over a five-year horizon, the divergence is even more stark: Bitcoin has risen over 1,000%, while Apple has gained 137%.

For a company known for disciplined capital management, the numbers raise questions. Apple’s buybacks have long been seen as a tool to boost earnings per share and signal strength to investors. But with diminishing returns and a declining stock price, critics argue the strategy is delivering limited shareholder value.

Saylor’s proposition reframes the conversation: if Apple seeks long-term value appreciation, Bitcoin may offer stronger risk-adjusted upside than continued buybacks.

Corporate Bitcoin Allocations Are Accelerating

The timing of Saylor’s suggestion is significant. Recent weeks have seen a notable uptick in Bitcoin adoption at the corporate level.

• GameStop disclosed the purchase of 4,710 BTC, worth approximately $513 million, following a successful capital raise.
• Japan’s Metaplanet announced plans to acquire more Bitcoin using 5.4 billion yen in newly raised capital, which pushed its stock up 12% and positioned it as the eighth-largest public holder of BTC.
• In France, The Blockchain Group revealed it had acquired $68 million worth of Bitcoin, with additional plans to raise $345 million for future purchases.
• On the institutional front, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $386 million in net inflows on June 9, rebounding after recent outflows.

Together, these moves signal growing alignment across geographies and industries: Bitcoin is increasingly being treated not just as an asset, but as a strategic reserve.

So, Will Apple Dive Into the Crypto World?

For Apple, the calculus is complex. Unlike MicroStrategy, it has not positioned itself as a Bitcoin-forward entity. The company is risk-averse by design and conservative in its financial operations.

Still, Saylor’s suggestion points to a broader shift. As more corporates integrate Bitcoin into their balance sheets, pressure mounts on market leaders to explain why they’re holding back.

Let’s see which direction Apple takes!

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