Summary: Michael Saylor (@saylor), the co-founder and CEO of MicroStrategy, a leading business intelligence firm, boasts an impressive net worth of $2.1 billion as of 2024. His wealth is primarily attributed to his majority share in MicroStrategy, along with investments in cryptocurrencies, particularly BTC. Under his strategic guidance, MicroStrategy was one of the first major corporations to adopt Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, significantly impacting its balance sheet.

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Michael Saylor Background

‍Michael Saylor, an influential figure in the technology and cryptocurrency sectors, is best known for his role as the co-founder and former CEO of MicroStrategy, a company specializing in business intelligence, mobile software, and cloud-based services. Born in 1965, his journey in the tech industry began after he graduated from MIT with dual degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics, as well as in Science, Technology, and Society. Michael's vision and entrepreneurship led to the founding of MicroStrategy in 1989. 

Under his leadership, the company thrived, becoming publicly traded in 1998 and recognized for its innovative approach to business intelligence. His foresight in the potential of mobile technology and cloud computing significantly contributed to MicroStrategy's growth and reputation. However, his career has not been without controversy. In the early 2000s, Michael and MicroStrategy faced SEC charges related to accounting irregularities, which they settled without admitting wrongdoing, and Saylor personally paid a multimillion-dollar fine.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Michael is notably vocal in the cryptocurrency realm, particularly in advocating for Bitcoin. He has positioned himself and MicroStrategy as major players in this field by investing heavily in BTC and frequently discussing its potential as a digital gold and hedge against inflation. His contribution to education is also noteworthy. He established the Saylor Foundation, which focuses on providing free online education. His passion for education stems from his belief in its power to transform lives and society.

Michael Saylor.
Michael Saylor.

Michael Saylor Net Worth

As of 2024, Michael Saylor's net worth is estimated to be around $2.1 billion. This figure primarily comes from his stakes in MicroStrategy and his substantial investments in cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin. It should be noted that net worth figures can fluctuate based on the values of assets held, such as stocks and digital currencies. This figure has been determined by aggregating his rankings on Forbes and other websites.

How Did Michael Saylor Get Rich?

His wealth can be attributed to his savvy business decisions, innovative mindset, and strategic investments. He co-founded MicroStrategy in 1989 and led the company to its initial public offering (IPO) in 1998. Despite experiencing some ups and downs, the company has become a leading player in business intelligence and cloud-based services. He reached the peak of his net worth in the 2000's where he reached an impressive $7 billion, making him one of the richest people globally at the time.

His decision to invest heavily in Bitcoin also significantly contributed to his wealth. Starting in 2020, he led MicroStrategy in adopting a Bitcoin standard for its treasury reserve, a move that was seen as unprecedented and risky at the time but has proven profitable given Bitcoin's subsequent appreciation.

How Much Bitcoin Does Michael Saylor Own?

Under Michael Saylor's leadership, MicroStrategy has been a pioneer among public companies in allocating a significant portion of its treasury reserves to Bitcoin. The company recently increased its BTC holdings by 850 Bitcoin in January, and MicroStrategy has accumulated over 190,000 Bitcoins as of 2024. Michael has also invested personally in Bitcoin, although the exact number is not publicly disclosed. 

Microstrategy Bitcoin Holdings.
Microstrategy Bitcoin Holdings.

Fun Facts About Michael Saylor

Beyond his prominent role in the business world, Michael Saylor is a published author. His book "The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything" predicts the impact of mobile computing on various sectors of society and has been a New York Times bestseller. He also founded the Saylor Academy, a free online education platform aimed at providing free education to all. Refer to the below list for some fun facts about the successful investor:

  1. Early Life in the Military: He was born to a military family and spent his childhood on various Air Force bases worldwide.
  2. Tech Whiz: Michael taught himself to code in several programming languages during his high school years.
  3. Started MicroStrategy at 24: Founded MicroStrategy, a business intelligence company, when he was just 24 years old in 1989.
  4. Author: He is the author of "The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything", a book that predicts the impact of mobile computing on various sectors of society. The book has been a New York Times bestseller.
  5. Free Education Advocate: Michael founded the Saylor Academy, a free online education platform aimed at providing free education to all.
  6. Certified Pilot: He is not just a business executive, but he also enjoys flying. He is a certified helicopter and airplane pilot.
  7. Philanthropist: Michael has a philanthropic side as well. He has donated to various causes through his personal foundation, including funding the Saylor Academy.
  8. Space Enthusiast: Reflecting his degrees from MIT, he has expressed a deep interest in space exploration and aeronautics. He stated that his company MicroStrategy's logo, a square enclosing a circle, represents a view of Earth from space.

What is MicroStrategy?

MicroStrategy, established in 1989 by Michael Saylor and Sanju Bansal, is a prominent company in the business intelligence, mobile software, and cloud-based services sector. Headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia, the company has a reputation for its advanced analytics capabilities, offering software that helps organizations analyze internal and external data to make better business decisions. 

Over the years, MicroStrategy has evolved, adapting to the changing landscape of technology by incorporating cloud computing, mobile technology, and, more recently, cryptocurrency into its business model. Notably, under Saylor's leadership, MicroStrategy has garnered attention for its substantial investment in Bitcoin, positioning itself as a significant player in the cryptocurrency domain. 

MicroStrategy: Home Page.
MicroStrategy: Home Page.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, Michael Saylor is a key figure in the intersection of technology and finance, particularly in the realm of cryptocurrency. His transformative leadership at MicroStrategy and substantial Bitcoin investment reflect his visionary outlook, cementing his reputation as a significant player in the digital age. As of 2024, he has an estimated net worth of $2.1 billion US Dollars, according to sources like Forbes and Bloomberg's Billionaires Index. His various pursuits, including writing and contributing to free education, reveal a multi-faceted individual committed to not just personal wealth but societal advancement as well. As Bitcoin and other digital assets continue to evolve, Saylor will undoubtedly remain a person to watch.