Bitcoin Rises, MSCI Rule Targets Strategy Exclusion from Global Index
Bitcoin (BTC) price inched higher by 1.51% in 24 hours to $82,073.99 on Friday, rebounding from a dip below $80,000 and outperforming its weekly performance.
The move is primarily driven by a macro-led recovery after an inflation shock. The world’s largest digital asset staged a recovery amid a new threat to a key BTC investor.
Index provider MSCI has approved new rules that could result in Strategy, Metaplanet, and Upexi being removed from global stock indexes. Several other companies with cryptocurrency reserves also face potential exclusion.
According to an announcement from MSCI, the changes will affect companies that do not conduct substantial operating activities and primarily hold assets.
Such companies will no longer be eligible for inclusion in the MSCI Global Investable Market Indexes. The new methodology was first proposed in August.
MSCI previously identified Strategy (MSTR) as one of the companies that could be removed from its indexes under the new criteria.
Meanwhile, Sharplink (SBET), Ton Strategy Company (TONX), Solana Company (HSDT) and DeFi Development Corp. (DFDV) have been placed on a watchlist for further assessment.
Exclusion from the indexes could trigger large-scale stock sales, as investment funds tracking MSCI indexes would have to adjust their portfolios. This could put additional pressure on share prices and reduce demand from passive investors.
In September, Bitcoin Policy Institute Executive Director Conner Brown warned that such a decision would effectively remove a company from the default investment portfolios of tens of millions of people who had never chosen to sell its shares.
Bitcoin’s recovery followed a sharp drop triggered by hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation in September. As the 10-year Treasury yield fell 13 basis points to 5.06% on October 15, pressure on risk assets eased, allowing BTC to bounce from its $79,694 low.
The move was not driven by crypto-specific news but by shifting macro expectations, highlighting Bitcoin’s sensitivity to interest rates and liquidity.
The initial sell-off liquidated over $172 million in long Bitcoin positions, creating a squeeze. The subsequent rebound suggests selling pressure was absorbed, with whales reportedly accumulating near the $80,000 support level.
The market cleared excess leverage, allowing for a healthier bounce. However, total crypto liquidations remained high at nearly $1 billion over 24 hours.
Traders said a sustained drop in daily liquidations would confirm the deleveraging phase is complete. Technically, Bitcoin rebounded from the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level near $79,720.
The immediate resistance is the $84,000 zone, which aligns with the recent swing high and a cluster of short liquidations. Key support is the $80,300 level, near the 50-day moving average. The structure is attempting to repair itself after a volatile macro shock.
A daily close above $82,500 would improve the short-term bias. The rebound is a corrective move within a larger range, driven by macro sentiment and technical flows rather than organic crypto demand. Bitcoin Price Ticks Up on Strive Asset Management Accumulation
