STRC: Bitcoin-Backed Income Revolution
Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) has raised $2.5 billion through its IPO of STRC, a bitcoin-backed, variable-rate preferred stock designed to offer high yield and price stability. Michael Saylor called STRC the firm’s “iPhone moment,” viewing it as a breakthrough for scaling capital markets access in a low-volatility, BTC-native format. STRC pays a variable 9% annualized dividend and is overcollateralized by bitcoin at a 5-to-1 ratio, helping it trade close to its $100 par value. The offering aims to appeal to both institutional and retail yield-seeking investors.
With a newly launched $4.2 billion at-the-market program, Strategy can continue issuing STRC flexibly, depending on market conditions. Saylor envisions STRC as a clean, simple alternative to complex instruments like convertible debt—offering monthly income with bitcoin-backed security. If successful, he believes STRC could scale to hundreds of billions, transforming how companies raise capital without selling BTC.
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Trump Fires Jobs Report Chief
President Trump abruptly fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after July’s jobs report showed a sharp slowdown in employment growth, with only 73,000 new jobs—well below expectations. Trump called McEntarfer a “Biden political appointee” and accused her of manipulating jobs data for political purposes. In a post on Truth Social, he said accurate jobs numbers are essential and claimed past reports had been revised down by hundreds of thousands.
The firing sparked backlash, with former BLS Commissioner William Beach calling it “groundless” and a threat to the bureau’s independence. Critics warned it undermines trust in economic reporting.
Trump also attacked Fed Chair Jerome Powell, blaming him for holding interest rates steady amid trade-related inflation concerns. Markets reacted sharply to the weak jobs data, with major indexes falling and rate cut odds increasing.
Figma Surges in IPO Debut
Figma, the popular collaborative design platform, officially went public on July 31, 2025, with a highly anticipated IPO. Shares were initially priced at $33, raising around $1.2 billion and valuing the company at $19.3 billion. On its first trading day, Figma's stock surged nearly 250%, closing around $115, and pushing its market cap to nearly $68 billion. The IPO marks one of the biggest tech listings in recent years and signals renewed investor appetite for high-growth, venture-backed companies.
Figma, known for its browser-based design tools used by over 95% of Fortune 500 companies, previously rejected a $20 billion acquisition offer from Adobe. Instead, it chose to stay independent and build its own path. With strong year-over-year growth, new AI-powered features, and a loyal customer base, Figma’s public debut is being seen as a turning point for the design industry and the broader tech IPO market. Investors are now watching how it scales from here.
DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.