A group of Amazon shareholders has proposed that the e-commerce giant allocate at least 5% of its total assets to Bitcoin, positioning the move as a hedge against inflation and a means to diversify its portfolio. The proposal, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), emphasizes Bitcoin’s strong performance compared to traditional assets.  

The proposal gained public attention after being shared by Tim Kotzman on X (formerly Twitter). It outlines Bitcoin’s growth trajectory, highlighting a 131% increase in 2024 alone and a staggering 1,200% rise over the past five years. These returns, the shareholders argue, significantly outperform assets like corporate bonds, making Bitcoin an attractive option for safeguarding Amazon’s value in a volatile economic environment.  

Amazon currently holds $585 billion in total assets, including $88 billion in cash and bonds. The shareholders believe allocating a fraction of this to Bitcoin could significantly enhance long-term value. The proposal draws parallels to companies like MicroStrategy, whose stock price soared by 537% over the last year, largely due to its substantial Bitcoin holdings. Other corporations such as Tesla and Block (formerly Square) have also integrated Bitcoin into their balance sheets, demonstrating its viability as a corporate asset.  

The NCPPR’s letter urges Amazon’s board to evaluate whether a Bitcoin allocation aligns with shareholders’ long-term interests. While Amazon has not yet commented on the proposal, the company has previously expressed interest in blockchain technology for applications like supply chain management. This existing interest could pave the way for further exploration of digital assets like Bitcoin.  

The push for Bitcoin adoption at Amazon is part of a broader institutional effort led by the NCPPR to integrate the cryptocurrency into corporate strategies. In October, the think tank made a similar proposal to Microsoft, which is set to vote on the matter at its December 10 shareholder meeting. The NCPPR has warned that if Microsoft rejects the proposal and Bitcoin’s value continues to rise, the company could face shareholder litigation.  

As Bitcoin increasingly gains traction among institutional investors, the proposal reflects a growing belief that the digital currency could serve as a critical tool for corporations to mitigate inflation risks and enhance portfolio diversification. Whether Amazon will embrace this shift remains to be seen, but the conversation underscores the rising influence of cryptocurrencies in global finance.