Bitcoin Steady Near $82,000 as Nasdaq Rebounds; Strategy Steps Up STRC Buybacks
Bitcoin trades near $82,000 while tech stocks recover
Bitcoin held close to $82,000 on Monday, October 19, 2026, according to CoinDesk market data. The largest cryptocurrency by market value was quoted at $82,028.24, essentially flat on the day.
The steadiness came as US stocks moved higher. The tech-heavy Nasdaq index rebounded more than 1%, led by chip stocks, according to CoinDesk's live market updates. Other major digital assets were mixed: ether stood at $2,407.67, XRP at $1.31, and Solana's SOL at $105.14, up about 1%.
Strive keeps buying bitcoin while Strategy adds little
CoinDesk reported that Strive, a company that holds bitcoin on its balance sheet, kept adding large amounts of the cryptocurrency. Its much larger peer, Strategy, bought only a small amount. CoinDesk's live update did not give exact purchase figures for either company.
Strategy's response to criticism of its STRC buybacks
Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor pushed back against criticism on social media over his company's repurchases of STRC, a preferred stock that pays a high yield. Preferred stock sits above common shares in a company's payment order but below debt.
Strategy announced Monday morning that it had bought back $193 million of STRC, bringing total repurchases to nearly $2 billion. The company also raised its authorized buyback limit to $3 billion, from $2 billion previously.
The buyback program began in the summer, after STRC fell close to $70, raising questions about the security's future. In recent weeks, STRC has traded mostly above $98. Critics argue Strategy's money might be better spent on buying bitcoin, while others question why the buybacks, combined with a 12% dividend yield, have not pushed STRC back to its $100 face value. Strategy has less than $9 billion of STRC outstanding.
Responding to the criticism on Monday, Saylor wrote on X: "You don't build a market worth trillions without investing billions."
STRC was up 1.3% on Monday at $98.99.
What is confirmed
- Bitcoin traded near $82,000 on October 19, 2026, quoted at $82,028.24.
- The Nasdaq rebounded more than 1%, led by chip stocks.
- Strategy repurchased $193 million of STRC and lifted its buyback authorization to $3 billion from $2 billion.
- Total STRC buybacks have reached nearly $2 billion, and STRC traded at $98.99, up 1.3%.
What remains unclear
The supplied update does not give specific purchase amounts for Strive or Strategy's latest bitcoin buying. It also does not explain the reasons behind Bitcoin's price level or the Nasdaq rebound beyond noting that chip stocks led the move.
Why the STRC debate matters for bitcoin treasury companies
Companies like Strategy and Strive hold large amounts of bitcoin, so their buying and spending decisions are watched closely by crypto investors. The disagreement over whether to use cash to buy back preferred stock or to purchase more bitcoin highlights a broader question about how these firms should deploy their funds.
Sources
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.