Quick Take
Analyzing institutions’ net short positions can reveal crucial insights into market sentiment and potential volatility. For instance, examining the net short positions on MicroStrategy (MSTR), Coinbase Global, Inc. (COIN), and Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA) provides valuable perspectives on investor outlook and market forces.
Fintel defines net short position as:
“The Big Shorts is a list of the largest short positions disclosed by institutions to the SEC. This list is compiled from 13F and NPORT filings. To determine the value of a short position, we sum the values of the disclosed PUT positions and traditional short-borrowed positions, and substract the value of the call and long positions.”
According to data from Fintel, MicroStrategy, with a market cap of roughly $30 billion, faces a substantial net short position of $6.9 billion, constituting 23.14% of its market cap. This high percentage indicates a robust bearish sentiment or extensive hedging. The significant short interest could result in increased volatility and the potential for a short squeeze if market conditions shift.
| Security | Total Net Short ($1000) |
|---|---|
| MSTR / MicroStrategy Incorporated | 6,941,159 |
Coinbase, boasting a market cap of roughly $62 billion, has a net short position of $1.1 billion, or 1.77% of its market cap. While notable, this percentage is lower than that of MicroStrategy, suggesting comparatively moderate bearish sentiment or hedging activities. This lower ratio implies investors may have a more neutral or slightly less bearish outlook on Coinbase.
| Security | Total Net Short ($1000) |
|---|---|
| COIN / Coinbase Global, Inc. | 1,129,920 |
Marathon Digital Holdings, with a market cap of roughly $6 billion, has a net short position of $100.8 million, equating to 1.68% of its market cap. This figure reflects a sentiment similar to COIN’s.
| Security | Total Net Short ($1000) |
|---|---|
| MARA / Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. | 100,828 |
In summary, MicroStrategy encounters the highest net short position among the three companies, according to Fintel.
These net short positions can also be strategic hedges, with firms taking long positions in Bitcoin as a counterbalance. For example, Kerrisdale Capital has stated:
“We’re short MSTR and long Bitcoin,”
James Van Straten
James fervently appreciates data, technology, and trend-spotting. As a tech and liberty maximalist, he hails Bitcoin as the 21st century’s paramount invention.
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