Meliuz Chair Says Bitcoin is Like a Nuclear Reactor on the Brazilian Firm’s Balance Sheet

Méliuz Chairman Israel Salmen has described Bitcoin as a "nuclear reactor" now integrated into the Brazilian company’s balance sheet following CASH3BZ stock pump.  The statement followed Méliuz’s official transition into Brazil’s first Bitcoin treasury firm, a move that gained shareholder approval by a wide majority. The statements, shared during a recent conference call, and highlighted by VanEck’s Head of Digital Assets Research, Matthew Sigel, align with the fintech company's broader shift in strategy to build Bitcoin per share as a long-term metric rather than holding it as a hedge.  https://twitter.com/matthew_sigel/status/1924425880119505240 Salmen emphasized that Bitcoin has garnered substantial attention and backing, noting that the asset is supported by a broader base of shareholders than the number of investors currently active in Brazil’s stock market. He stated that the company is highly satisfied with the strategic shift, reinforcing Bitcoin’s role as a central element in the firm’s operations. Méliuz Acquires Over 274 Bitcoin  Méliuz confirmed the purchase of 274.52 BTC for approximately $28.4 million last week, bringing its total holdings to 320.3 BTC. The company noted that acquisitions would continue in an “accretive way” using various financial instruments. Salmen previously explained that this initiative is different from conventional treasury strategies, as Bitcoin is now a core business component rather than a financial hedge. Sigel also shared a chart that showed from mid-February 2025, Méliuz’s stock (CASH3BZ) surged from R$3.00 to R$10.70. This rally gained strength in April, supported by a sharp uptick in trading volume.  Other Public Firms Seeing Gains After Treasury Shift The Méliuz development follows similar gains by other publicly listed companies. Semler Scientific's stock SMLR recorded a sharp monthly rise of 42.00%, gaining $12.53 to close at $42.36 as of May 19. The U.S.-based firm reported a 22.2% BTC yield year-to-date as of May 12. In the same period, it disclosed BTC gains totaling 510.3 units and U.S. dollar gains of $52 million.  Further, Strategy's MSTR recorded a notable 25.94% gain over the past month, with its stock price rising from approximately $317.76 to $400.18 as of May 19. The Bitcoin strategy pioneer remains the largest corporate Bitcoin holder. According to the latest figures, it controls 576,230 BTC, which is valued at approximately $59.57 billion. As of mid-May, the firm reported 73,120 BTC gained year-to-date, representing a 12.69% increase in holdings. In 2024, Strategy recorded 140,538 BTC in gains, equal to 24.39% of its holdings, resulting in a $13.13 billion gain. El Salvador’s Holdings Show Large Unrealized Gains Meanwhile, El Salvador's national Bitcoin portfolio has appreciated significantly. President Nayib Bukele recently shared updated wallet data on social media.  The country’s 6,181 BTC were acquired at a total cost of $287.1 million, and the portfolio’s current valuation exceeds $644.4 million. This marks an unrealized gain of more than $357 million.