TLDR
Stride (STRD) faces mixed sentiment amid recent corporate financing moves and a lack of new protocol updates, with key developments split between its role in liquid staking and a namesake preferred stock tied to Bitcoin accumulation.
- Corporate Strategy’s STRD preferred stock raised $1B for Bitcoin buys, sparking debates on sustainability.
- Liquid staking STRD surged 300% in May but lacks recent technical updates.
- Confusion persists between the Cosmos-based STRD token and Strategy’s stock.
Deep Dive
1. Corporate Financing & Market Reaction
Strategy Inc. (formerly MicroStrategy) launched Stride (STRD) as a 10% dividend-yielding perpetual preferred stock on June 3, 2025, raising $1 billion to buy Bitcoin (Strategy). The offering drew criticism for its “Ponzi vibes” due to non-cumulative dividends and reliance on Bitcoin’s price appreciation, but supporters argue it attracts institutional capital without diluting equity. STRD’s IPO contributed to Strategy’s acquisition of 10,000 BTC ($1B), expanding its holdings to 592,100 BTC.
2. Protocol Activity & Price Volatility
The Cosmos-based STRD token (liquid staking) surged over 300% in May 2025, driven by Ethereum restaking trends and capital efficiency narratives. However, no major technical upgrades or partnerships have been announced since the April 2025 Interchain Foundation (ICF) investment to build an IBC-powered DEX (ICF). STRD’s price has since retracted (-30% over 30 days), reflecting fading momentum and competition from protocols like Osmosis.
Conclusion
STRD’s narrative is bifurcated: the token hinges on Cosmos DeFi adoption, while the corporate stock leverages Bitcoin’s institutional appeal. Will liquid staking demand rebound, or will STRD’s identity crisis dampen both assets’ prospects?