Michael Saylor Predicts Bitcoin Can Beat the S&P 500 Over Time

Highlights:

• Michael Saylor expects Bitcoin to outperform the S&P 500 with 30% annual returns.
• Saylor sees crypto rules and tokenization as major market catalysts.
• Strategy holds roughly $65 billion in Bitcoin and continues adding to its position.

Michael Saylor reiterated his bullish view of Bitcoin during a CNBC Squawk Box interview on Thursday. The prominent Bitcoin advocate said Bitcoin could beat the S&P 500 over time, even after recent market weakness. He argued that short-term volatility does not change the asset’s longer path. He said, “We think Bitcoin’s going up more than the S&P index over time.” He added that Strategy expects about 30% annual Bitcoin returns. However, he said the case still works at lower growth levels.

The S&P 500 tracks 500 large public companies in the United States. Investors often use it as a broad measure of market strength and economic confidence. The index has averaged about 10% yearly returns over time. However, Saylor expects Bitcoin to deliver triple that pace across the coming decades. His long-standing forecast places Bitcoin near $13 million by 2045.

Meanwhile, the latest numbers show a mixed picture. Bitcoin has fallen 12% this year, while the S&P 500 has gained 8%, according to Google Finance data. Despite this, Saylor framed the weakness as part of a wider cycle. He also described the $60,000 level as Bitcoin’s floor. According to him, the market has entered a “spring phase” after its latest correction. 

$MSTR Co-Founder @saylor explains why he thinks $BTC will outperform the S&P 500 over time:https://t.co/REOnScJVPZ

— Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) May 21, 2026

Michael Saylor Links Bitcoin Growth To Policy Progress

Saylor also pointed to Washington as a possible driver for crypto markets. He said the CLARITY Act could mark an important step for digital assets. The bill recently cleared the Senate Banking Committee with bipartisan support after months of delays. Therefore, he argued that clearer rules could support wider institutional participation.

He also highlighted securities tokenization as another major theme. According to him, new SEC guidance could help traditional assets move across crypto networks. This shift, he said, could reshape credit formation and yield markets. “The real power of tokenization is that it creates a free market in credit formation,” he said. Moreover, he linked that change to broader blockchain adoption.

Strategy Keeps Building Its Large Bitcoin Position

Strategy continues to stand at the center of Saylor’s Bitcoin thesis. The company holds roughly $65 billion worth of Bitcoin, ranking the world’s largest corporate holder of the asset. The firm announced the acquisition of 24,869 BTC on Monday, pushing the total holdings to 843,738 coins. Saylor said the company continues buying Bitcoin with a long-term view.

Strategy has acquired 24,869 BTC for ~$2.01 billion at ~$80,985 per bitcoin and has achieved BTC Yield of 12.6% YTD 2026. As of 5/17/2026, we hodl 843,738 $BTC acquired for ~$63.87 billion at ~$75,700 per bitcoin. $MSTR $STRC https://t.co/y1zvePEuym

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) May 18, 2026

He also claimed that credit markets could absorb Bitcoin’s fresh supply over time. According to him, Strategy’s model can attract capital from investors seeking Bitcoin-linked exposure. The company also offers digital credit products tied to Bitcoin appreciation. These products use preferred stock structures to create yield opportunities.

Michael Saylor further added that crypto believers with working capital may prefer digital credit. He argued that such products can pay more than money market returns after tax. The structure also reflects Strategy’s broader plan. The company aims to preserve Bitcoin upside for common shareholders while offering yield to income-focused investors.

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin was trading around $77,250, up by 0.15% over the last 24 hours. Its market cap and trading volume stand at $1.54 trillion and $25 billion, respectively.