Bitcoin Price Falls Abruptly. Did Strive ($ASST) Just Deploy Warren Buffett’s Elephant Gun?
John: Hey everyone, I’m John, a veteran writer here at Blockchain Bulletin, where we break down the wild world of crypto in simple terms. Today, we’re diving into the recent Bitcoin price dip and the buzz around Strive’s acquisition of Semler Scientific—it’s like watching corporate chess with Bitcoin as the queen. For readers who want a full step-by-step guide, you can also check this exchange guide.
Lila: Hi, I’m Lila, John’s curious assistant always eager to learn more about crypto. John, what’s this “elephant gun” thing all about, and why did Bitcoin’s price suddenly drop?
What Happened with the Bitcoin Price Drop?
John: On 2025-09-22, Bitcoin’s price took a sudden tumble, falling from around $116,000 to $112,000 in a matter of hours. This was triggered by a crypto liquidation scare, where overleveraged positions got wiped out, causing a ripple effect across the market. It’s a reminder that volatility is part of the game—think of it like a rollercoaster that sometimes dips unexpectedly (but hey, the view from the top is worth it).
Lila: Liquidation scare? That sounds intense. Can you explain what that means in plain English?
John: Sure, Lila. A liquidation happens when traders borrow money to buy crypto, but if the price drops too much, their positions get automatically sold off to cover losses. It’s like betting with borrowed cash at a casino—if you lose big, the house takes everything. In this case, it led to a quick $4,000 drop, but Bitcoin has bounced back from worse in the past.
Background on Strive and Semler Scientific
John: Strive Inc., co-founded by Vivek Ramaswamy and listed as $ASST on Nasdaq, is a company focused on Bitcoin as a treasury asset. Semler Scientific ($SMLR) is a healthcare firm that started adding Bitcoin to its balance sheet back in 2024, following a trend set by companies like MicroStrategy. As of now, in 2025, both have been aggressively stacking Bitcoin amid rising prices.
Lila: Treasury asset? What’s that, and why would a healthcare company buy Bitcoin?
John: A treasury asset is something a company holds to preserve value, like cash or gold. Bitcoin is seen by some as “digital gold” because it’s scarce and can hedge against inflation. Semler began this strategy on 2024-05-28, as reported by CoinDesk, buying Bitcoin to diversify beyond traditional reserves—it’s like swapping some dollars for a high-tech vault.
The Acquisition Details
John: The big news broke on 2025-09-22: Strive announced it’s acquiring Semler Scientific in an all-stock deal. This merger combines their Bitcoin holdings, potentially reaching over 10,900 BTC. Strive also revealed it bought 5,816 Bitcoin for $675 million at an average price of $116,047 per token, right before the price dip.
Lila: All-stock deal? Does that mean no cash changed hands?
John: Exactly—Strive is issuing new shares to Semler shareholders instead of paying cash. It’s a smart move when stock values are high, allowing Strive to “gobble up” Semler without dipping into reserves. Bloomberg reported the deal values Semler at about $90 per share, boosting Strive’s Bitcoin treasury dominance (and saving them a bundle on transaction fees, like getting a bulk discount at the crypto store).
Warren Buffett’s Elephant Gun Analogy
John: The “elephant gun” comes from Warren Buffett, who uses it to describe deploying a massive cash pile for a big acquisition. In this case, Bitcoin Magazine likened Strive’s move to that—using their position to hunt a large target like Semler. It’s not literal, of course; Buffett himself has criticized Bitcoin in the past, but the strategy echoes his Berkshire Hathaway playbook.
Lila: So, is Strive copying Buffett’s style with crypto?
John: Pretty much. Buffett talks about waiting for the right “elephant” deal with his cash “gun” loaded. Strive did something similar by merging treasuries, as per their official press release on 2025-09-22. It’s a consolidation play in the Bitcoin space, where companies are merging to build bigger stacks without selling assets.
Other Companies Stacking Bitcoin
John: This isn’t isolated—companies like Metaplanet in Japan, Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy, and Capital B have been adding Bitcoin recently. For instance, MicroStrategy bought 2,350 BTC for $243 million on 2025-01-13, as noted in Cointelegraph posts on X. Semler itself added 237 BTC worth $23.3 million that same day.
Lila: Wow, it seems like a trend. Can you list some examples of these companies and their strategies?
John: Absolutely, here’s a quick list of notable Bitcoin treasury adopters as of 2025:
- MicroStrategy: Holds over 200,000 BTC, started in 2020-08-10, using debt to buy more.
- Metaplanet: A Japanese firm that added hundreds of BTC in 2025, treating it as a reserve asset.
- Semler Scientific: Began in 2024 with $58 million in BTC, raised $150 million more by 2024-07-26 for additional purchases.
- Strive: Now merging to hold around 11,000 BTC post-acquisition.
These moves show corporations viewing Bitcoin as a long-term store of value, especially with prices climbing past $100,000 in late 2024.
Implications for the Crypto Market
John: This acquisition signals growing consolidation among Bitcoin treasury firms, potentially stabilizing the market by reducing sell pressure. The price drop on 2025-09-22 was short-lived, but it highlights how news like this can cause temporary volatility. Looking ahead, if more companies follow, it could drive institutional adoption, as seen in regulatory filings from the SEC.
Lila: Does this mean Bitcoin is becoming more mainstream?
John: Yes, in the present landscape, with Bitcoin ETFs approved back on 2024-01-10 and now corporate treasuries expanding, it’s gaining legitimacy. However, risks like price swings remain—remember, past events like the 2022 crash showed how quickly things can change (but on the bright side, it’s built resilience, like a phoenix in the crypto flames).
Looking Ahead: Risks and Tips
John: In the future, we might see more mergers if Bitcoin’s price keeps rising. But beginners should watch for regulatory changes, like potential U.S. Treasury rules on crypto holdings. Always research from trusted sources like CoinDesk or official company announcements.
Lila: Any tips for readers interested in this space?
John: Great question. Here are a few practical tips:
- Start small: If exploring Bitcoin, use reputable exchanges and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
- Stay informed: Follow updates from sources like Bitcoin Magazine or Bloomberg for verified news.
- Diversify: Don’t put all eggs in one basket—mix with traditional assets.
- Secure your holdings: Use hardware wallets for long-term storage.
And remember, this is just education, not advice.
John: Wrapping up, this Strive-Semler deal is a fascinating evolution in how companies are treating Bitcoin like a core asset, echoing big investor strategies but with a crypto twist. It shows the market’s maturing, even amid dips. And if you’d like even more exchange tips, have a look at this global guide.
Lila: Thanks, John—that makes the crypto world feel a bit less intimidating. Key takeaway: Big moves like this could signal exciting times ahead for Bitcoin enthusiasts!
This article was created using the original article below and verified real-time sources:
- Bitcoin Price Falls Abruptly. Did Strive ($ASST) Just Deploy Warren Buffett’s Elephant Gun?
- Strive to Buy Semler Scientific in Merger of Bitcoin Treasuries – Bloomberg
- Strive, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASST) and Semler Scientific, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMLR) Announce Bitcoin Treasury Merger in All-Stock Transaction | Strive, Inc.
- Bitcoin News: Vivek Ramaswamy’s Strive and Semler Scientific Merger Creates 11,000 Bitcoin Treasury – The Coin Republic