MSTR Stock Rises as Bitcoin Hits New 2026 High; Expert Predicts $455 Target

MSTR stock moved higher today, extending Tuesday’s rally. The rise came as Bitcoin pushed above $97,000 for the first time since November. Traders also reacted to a rare insider purchase at Strategy.

MSTR Stock Jumps 8% as Bitcoin Reclaims $97K

Strategy shares surged 8% to $185.67 in today’s trading session. The shift came after the dramatic resurgence of Bitcoin into the wider economy. Data from CoinMarketCap indicated that Bitcoin is trading at $96,852, up by 4.77% over the last 24 hours.

The rally is after a radical fall in the last few months. However, MSTR stock is currently down about 42% in the last three months following a sharp selloff. It has fallen 49% in the last year, as well, indicating volatility related to crypto-linked equities.

A significant indicator was an internal company signal. According to a January 12 filing with the SEC, director Carl Rickertsen purchased 5,000 shares of Strategy. The deal consisted of approximately a cost of $779,000, with shares being purchased at nearly $156 each.

This buy stood out on the basis that Rickertsen had primarily sold shares in previous years. It was his first open market purchase since 2022. 

The uncertainty regarding indices was also in the limelight this week. The MSCI has been reexamining whether firms that committed over 50% of their balance sheet to cryptocurrencies should remain in its indices. Strategy had high exposure to Bitcoin, which exposed it to the risk of removal. However, MSCI postponed such removal. 

Analysts Set $455 Target 

Analysts predict that the 12-month horizon of Strategy is bullish as per recent analyst reports. Over the last three months, 14 Wall Street analysts estimated an average price target of $455.25 and a range of prices, $229.00 to $705.00. The average target indicates a 145.66% upswing to the current price of $185.67.

Strategy also increased its amount of Bitcoin in the balance sheet. The firm reported that it had acquired 13,627 Bitcoin within a single week, which is the largest weekly purchase it has made since July 2025. The purchasing spurt raised the total holding to 687,410 BTC.

These holdings make Strategy the largest corporate Bitcoin holder in the world. Due to such a stance, MSTR shares tend to follow changes in the price of Bitcoin. This relationship has grown even stronger as Bitcoin gains momentum again.

The history of the cycles demonstrates the speed with which such moves can turn about. The stock had a 52-week high at $457.22 in July 2025 as Bitcoin traded around the $122,000 mark. The stock has since dropped 62% since that high.

Bitcoin also reversed following a record high of more than $126,000 in October. The asset is approximately 24% lower than that record. Nevertheless, optimistic projections continue to be a part of the discussion of MSTR stock.