According to TechFlow, Matthew Sigel, the head of digital asset research at VanEck, stated that Block Inc. is poised to become the first S&P 500 company with a clear Bitcoin strategy, meeting multiple requirements of the S&P 500, including market capitalization, publicly traded shares, and earnings, and standing out with its unique approach to Bitcoin investment. To qualify for the S&P 500 index, a company must meet six key requirements: a market capitalization of over 18 billion USD, a public float of more than 10%, and positive earnings in the most recent quarter and over the last four quarters according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Additionally, the company must demonstrate high liquidity, be publicly listed for over 12 months, and be registered in the United States. Sigel noted that Block met the earnings criteria after the first quarter of 2024 but acknowledged that the final decision on inclusion rests with the index committee's discretion. Historically, eligible companies have been added to the index within 3 to 21 months after meeting the requirements.
It is noteworthy that while Tesla holds Bitcoin, Sigel believes it lacks a clear strategy like Block's. He also mentioned Coinbase as another contender for inclusion but indicated that it may face challenges due to its purely cryptocurrency business. He pointed out that financial companies currently make up about 14% of the S&P 500 index, indicating that there is still room for more companies in the industry.
Block, founded by Jack Dorsey in 2009, is the eighth-largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, owning 8,363 BTC, valued at approximately 775 million USD. The company is scheduled to release its Q4 2024 financial performance on February 20, which could be a pivotal moment further supporting its inclusion in the S&P 500 index.