Strive, Inc. Big News: Bitcoin Buys, Merger Approval, and a Stock Split!

Hey everyone, let's talk about some big news concerning Strive, Inc. today. We're going to break it down so it's easy to understand, whether you're just following the business headlines or trying to figure out what this means for your trading.

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1. What happened? (in plain English - the actual event)

Okay, so here's the deal: Strive, Inc. just dropped three significant announcements today:

1. They bought more Bitcoin: Strive continued its strategy of accumulating Bitcoin. Between January 1st and January 12th, 2026, they purchased about 123 more Bitcoin. They spent roughly $11.26 million on these new coins, at an average price of about $91,561 per Bitcoin. This brings their total Bitcoin stash to approximately 7,749.8 Bitcoin before the merger.
2. A big merger got approved, and Strive is getting Semler's Bitcoin: Shareholders of Semler Scientific, Inc. (the company Strive is looking to buy) officially voted to approve Strive's acquisition of their company. As part of this all-stock deal, Strive will acquire Semler Scientific's 5,048.1 Bitcoin. This means that once the merger is complete, the combined company will hold a massive 12,797.9 Bitcoin!
3. They're doing a reverse stock split: Strive's board also approved a 1-for-20 reverse stock split for its shares. This means that for every 20 shares you own, you'll now own 1 share, but that single share will be worth 20 times more. It's like exchanging 20 dollar bills for one $20 bill – the total value stays the same, but the number of units changes.

2. When did it happen?

This news broke officially today, January 13, 2026, via press releases.

3. Why did it happen? (context and background)

To understand why, we need to look at Strive's strategy:

• Bitcoin Accumulation & Focus: Strive, which calls itself the "first publicly traded asset management Bitcoin treasury company," has made it clear that they see Bitcoin as a valuable digital asset and a key part of their company's treasury strategy. They've been buying Bitcoin for a while now, and this latest purchase is just a continuation of that plan. They believe in holding Bitcoin as a long-term asset, potentially as a hedge against inflation or as a growth driver, with a focus on "increasing Bitcoin per share." The acquisition of Semler Scientific is a huge step in this direction, as Strive is primarily interested in Semler's Bitcoin holdings. (It's worth noting Semler Scientific was the "second U.S. public company to adopt Bitcoin as its primary treasury reserve asset," which is why they had so much Bitcoin to begin with). In fact, Strive plans to sell off Semler Scientific's traditional medical device operating business within 12 months of the merger closing. Their goal is to use the money from that sale to pay off Semler's existing debts (a $100 million convertible note and a $20 million Coinbase loan), keeping Strive focused purely on its Bitcoin operations.
• Strategic Growth & Financing (SATA): This merger isn't just about growth; it's about Bitcoin-focused growth. To help fund these strategies and manage debt, Strive uses a unique financial instrument called SATA, which is a publicly traded "preferred equity" backed by its Bitcoin balance sheet. They plan to issue more SATA to help retire Semler's debt.
• Reverse Stock Split: The company is doing a reverse stock split to make its share price higher. This isn't about changing the company's total value, but rather making the stock more appealing to larger institutional investors (like big mutual funds or pension funds) who often have rules about only investing in stocks above a certain price. It's a move to broaden their investor base.

4. Why does this matter? (impact and significance)

So, why should you care about this? These are three distinct but important moves for Strive:

• Massive Commitment to Bitcoin: Strive is not just doubling down; they're tripling down on Bitcoin! Acquiring Semler's Bitcoin means the combined company will hold nearly 12,800 Bitcoin, making them the 11th largest corporate holder of Bitcoin globally, surpassing big names like Tesla and Trump Media & Technology Group. This shows extreme conviction and makes Strive a major player in the corporate Bitcoin space.
• Pure Bitcoin Play: The plan to sell Semler's medical device business clarifies Strive's strategy: they are becoming an almost pure-play Bitcoin treasury company. This means their financial performance will be even more directly tied to the price of Bitcoin, rather than a mix of Bitcoin and a traditional operating business.
• Improved Bitcoin Yield: Strive's CEO mentioned that the Semler deal will boost their 2026 first-quarter Bitcoin yield to over 15%. This suggests they have strategies to generate returns from their Bitcoin holdings.
• Attracting Big Investors (Reverse Split): The reverse stock split is a strategic move to attract larger institutional investors. If successful, this could potentially increase demand for Strive's stock and improve its liquidity.
• Cost Basis Improvement (Bitcoin): Strive's latest Bitcoin purchase was at an average price of about $91,561, which is lower than their overall average acquisition price of $112,810. This means they're buying more Bitcoin at a relatively better price, which can improve their overall cost basis for their holdings.

5. Who is affected? (employees, customers, investors, etc.)

This news isn't just for investors; it touches a lot of people:

• Strive Investors (that's us!): You now own a company that's significantly increasing its Bitcoin exposure and is on the verge of completing a major acquisition, but with a clear plan to shed the acquired company's operating business. Your shares will also undergo a reverse split. This changes the risk and growth profile of your investment dramatically.
• Semler Scientific Shareholders: They just voted to approve the acquisition, meaning their shares will soon be converted into Strive shares as part of the all-stock deal.
• Employees of Semler Scientific: This is a big one. With Strive planning to sell off Semler's medical device business, there will likely be significant changes, including potential job impacts or transfers to a new owner.
• Customers of Semler Scientific: Their medical device products and services will likely be sold to a new company, which could lead to changes in how they are served.
• The broader Bitcoin market: Strive becoming the 11th largest corporate holder of Bitcoin adds to the narrative of corporate adoption and institutional interest in Bitcoin, potentially boosting confidence in the digital asset.
• Strive's Board: Eric Semler, Semler Scientific's Executive Chairman, will be joining Strive's Board of Directors.

6. What happens next? (immediate and future implications)

So, what's the game plan now?

• Immediate (Merger): The acquisition of Semler Scientific is expected to close very soon, specifically on or about January 16, 2026. Once it closes, Semler will officially become part of Strive.
• Immediate (Reverse Split): Strive will announce more details about the reverse stock split, including the exact effective date and new stock identification numbers (CUSIP).
• Near Future (Semler's Business): After the merger closes, Strive will begin the process of finding a buyer for Semler Scientific's medical device operating business within the next 12 months. They'll also work to pay off Semler's debts using proceeds from that sale and potentially by issuing more SATA preferred equity.
• Longer Term: We'll be watching to see how the now even more Bitcoin-focused Strive performs, how its increased Bitcoin holdings impact its financial results, and how the market reacts to its simplified, Bitcoin-centric strategy.

7. What should investors/traders know? (practical takeaways)

Alright, for those of us watching Strive's stock, here's the lowdown:

• Understand the Reverse Split: This is crucial. If you own 200 shares of Strive, after a 1-for-20 reverse split, you'll own 10 shares. Each of those 10 shares will theoretically be worth 20 times what your old shares were worth. Your total investment value shouldn't change immediately, but the number of shares you hold will.
• Strive is a Bitcoin Pure-Play (almost): This is a major shift. Don't invest in Strive expecting exposure to a medical device company. Strive is making it clear they are primarily a Bitcoin treasury company. Their performance will be heavily, if not almost entirely, tied to Bitcoin's price movements.
• Massive Bitcoin Exposure: You're now investing in a company with nearly 12,800 Bitcoin. This means higher potential upside if Bitcoin rises, but also higher risk if Bitcoin falls.
• Expect Volatility: Major acquisitions, significant asset purchases, and especially a reverse stock split can cause stock prices to move. The market will be digesting what this means for Strive's future.
• Research Strive's Financing (SATA): Understand that Strive uses preferred equity (SATA) as a key part of its financial structure. This is a different way of raising capital compared to traditional companies.
• Don't Panic (or get overly excited): Make sure you understand why you're making any trading decisions. Don't just react to headlines. Do your own research and consider your personal investment goals.

This is a developing situation, so stay tuned for more updates!