In a landmark corporate finance move, Nasdaq-listed automotive platform Autozi (AZI) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire $1.87 billion worth of cryptocurrency. Announced on March 15, 2025, the strategic investment was secured at a reported 40% discount to market prices, representing one of the largest single corporate crypto acquisitions to date.
The company has not disclosed the specific mix of cryptocurrencies involved in the transaction, which was arranged with an undisclosed virtual asset firm. The substantial discount suggests the assets were acquired through a private, over-the-counter (OTC) deal or structured financing agreement, minimizing market impact. Autozi stated this purchase is the foundational step in a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at digitizing its assets and developing a proprietary, cryptocurrency-based payment infrastructure.
This move places Autozi among a growing cohort of public companies making major allocations to digital assets, following the pioneering strategy of MicroStrategy. The company's rationale includes viewing cryptocurrency as a potential hedge against inflation and a means to build a native payment infrastructure to reduce transaction fees, enable faster cross-border settlements, and tap into crypto-native consumers.
Concurrently, MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor made a significant prediction about Bitcoin's future performance. During a CNBC Squawk Box interview, Saylor forecast that Bitcoin (BTC) would outperform the S&P 500 index by two to three times over the next four to eight years. This declaration aligns with MicroStrategy's recent action of acquiring an additional 1,142 BTC for approximately $90 million, bringing its total holdings to over 226,000 BTC.
Saylor's thesis hinges on Bitcoin's unique properties as a decentralized digital store of value, arguing that its growth profile differs fundamentally from the corporate earnings-driven S&P 500. He reframes Bitcoin's volatility as an inherent characteristic of a high-growth, emerging asset class, emphasizing a long-term investment horizon. MicroStrategy's corporate strategy treats Bitcoin as its primary treasury reserve asset, with a consistent protocol of converting excess cash into Bitcoin on a quarterly basis with no intention to sell.
Financial experts note that Autozi's transaction indicates a maturation of corporate crypto adoption from speculative treasury bets to structured, strategic partnerships. Dr. Lin Chen, a fintech professor at Stanford University, called it a "watershed moment." However, the move will invite regulatory scrutiny from bodies like the SEC regarding disclosure and accounting treatment.
Autozi's planned crypto payment infrastructure could streamline supplier payments, enable consumer purchases with digital assets, and create tokenized reward systems. The development of this capability is expected to unfold over the next 18-24 months and may require partnerships with established fintech and blockchain service providers.
