I think all these are distractions, I would be very surprised if Microsoft or some big organizations such as it hasn't yet invested in Bitcoin, but they are just seeking formalities to what they have already done, it's very hard for top organization with lots of enlightened financial services wouldn't have by now understood the endless opportunities Bitcoin offers them.

The chances of approval are indeed "not very high". The board itself is recommending to the shareholders to vote against it. Microsoft's management also mentioned that it has already carefully considered the subject. The board and the management are most certainly aligned on this.

But I guess the point is not whether Microsoft invests in Bitcoin or not following the annual shareholders meeting this December. The point is, who would have thought that the electronic currency once dismissed as a Ponzi and a criminal's money by governments and companies would one day hit the agenda of the world's largest software company's annual shareholders meeting?

The progress is noticeable.

Interesting to note, it turns out Blackrock is the second largest shareholder of Microsoft stock.

Blackrock of course is the largest asset manager in the world, are huge proponents of bitcoin, and issuer of the world's largest bitcoin spot ETF. Blackrock will probably have a significant influence on how the vote turns out which could possibly tip the scales in favor of the ayes. Given bitcoins massive success for companies like Microstrategy and Tesla it would be plain stupid for the shareholders to vote against it.

Clarification point on the forum title, they asked them to vote AGAINST holding Bitcoin. Very important distinction for the discussion.

Bitcoin is no longer an infant asset of investment like in 2009 and a couple of years later, but now in 2024, Bitcoin is still a risky asset and it is more risky in eyes of people who have yet participated with capital of investment in this market. Microsoft as a big tech corporation has their reasons to veto this proposal, but it does not restrict Microsoft shareholders to decide what they can do with their shares, then money. If they really want to invest in Bitcoin, and see it as more potentially profitable than holding Microsoft shares, they will sell shares and switch their investment to Bitcoin.

Criticize each other mostly won't lead to any agreement especially in investment into a risky asset like Bitcoin. You can discuss with them, but if there are too much differences, let move on on your own path and let the discussion ends peacefully.

What reasons does Microsoft have for not doing it? They need to explain it to their shareholders. What do they have to lose by investing just a tiny fraction of their portfolio? It makes them look stupid to refuse to invest in the most successful ETF launch in US history, while Microstrategy the largest corporate holder of bitcoin has them beat in earnings by a mile, as well as topping the S&P 500 in earnings. If that wasn't enough, Blackrock is their second largest shareholder and has accumulated hundreds of thousands of bitcoin assets under management, in less than a year!

As one of the world's largest publicly traded companies, they owe their shareholders a logical explanation.  It makes no sense to just say, we looked into and decided not to do it but sorry we can't give you the reason. That tells me they are full of crap.

I believe they actually do want to invest in bitcoin, but want to appear politically correct by publicly saying no, while giving the shareholders a nod and a wink. Anything is possible.

I believe we could definitely see Microsoft invest into bitcoin eventually, maybe not right now but there is a possibility of that happening and I can see something like this benefiting them as well. While that may not look like the case at the moment, I believe this isn't really a bad case. They may not want shareholders to vote for it right now, and maybe they feel like they are not ready yet, but I believe they will get where they want to get and they shouldn't be really worried about it, we are going to eventually see them do fine and shouldn't be really all that crazy to think one day they will put all their reserves into bitcoin as well.

This isn't the time for it, they are not there yet, and I understand it may feel scary for them. Plus, I do not think they will go out and straight up buy bitcoin, while they are a tech company and I am sure they can still do that, the reality is they will probably just put it in some ETF, like Blackrock, so that they could be safe.