MicroStrategy, the prominent Bitcoin-holding technology company, has added three new members to its board of directors: Brian Brooks, Jane Dietze, and Gregg Winiarski. This expansion, announced in a recent SEC filing, increases the board’s size from six to nine members and comes just days before MicroStrategy’s inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 Index on December 23.

New Appointments and Their Credentials

• Brian Brooks: Brooks previously served as CEO of Binance.US and Chief Legal Officer of Coinbase. He was also the Acting Comptroller of the Currency from 2020 to 2021, overseeing the U.S. banking system’s approach to digital assets. Brooks’ addition is seen as significant, with Swan Bitcoin describing it as a “BIG deal” due to his extensive regulatory experience.
• Jane Dietze: Dietze is the Chief Investment Officer at Brown University, managing its $7.2 billion endowment. She also serves on the board of Galaxy Digital, the crypto-focused financial services company led by Mike Novogratz. Dietze’s expertise in institutional investments adds credibility to MicroStrategy’s strategic focus on digital assets.
• Gregg Winiarski: Currently the Chief Legal Officer at Fanatics, a sports apparel and collectibles company, Winiarski brings a wealth of legal and corporate governance experience.

Each new board member will receive an equity package valued at $2 million, divided between stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs) that will vest over four years.

The announcement follows Nasdaq’s confirmation that MicroStrategy will join the Nasdaq 100 Index, cementing its status as one of the 100 largest stocks by market capitalization. The inclusion aligns with MicroStrategy’s growing prominence as a Bitcoin-focused entity.

The company recently purchased an additional $1.5 billion in Bitcoin, bringing its total holdings to 439,000 BTC. Acquired at an average price of $61,725 per Bitcoin, MicroStrategy’s holdings represent a total investment of approximately $27.1 billion, including fees.

The expanded board and Nasdaq 100 inclusion highlight MicroStrategy’s ongoing evolution as both a technology company and a significant player in the Bitcoin space. With Brooks’ regulatory expertise, Dietze’s institutional investment background, and Winiarski’s legal acumen, the company appears well-positioned to navigate the complexities of Bitcoin adoption and regulatory challenges.

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