Bitcoin tops $81,000 as Strategy considers selling BTC to cover $1.5B dividends, shares fall 4%.

Bitcoin surged above $81,000 amid a global risk-on rally fueled by easing Iran tensions and AI optimism. Strategy, the largest corporate bitcoin holder with 818,334 BTC, signaled it may sell some bitcoin to fund $1.5 billion in annual dividend obligations, causing its shares to drop over 4% after hours. This would mark the first time Strategy sells bitcoin, shifting from its usual buy-and-hold approach. Despite a $12.54 billion Q1 loss due to bitcoin's price decline, the company plans to sell bitcoin rather than issue more debt or equity to cover dividends, signaling a strategic shift in funding.