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Bitcoin

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Strive Asset Management CEO Matt Cole has a number in his head: $3 trillion. That is how big he thinks the digital credit market could get.
And he is not waiting for a bull market to make his case. He is making it in the middle of a <a href="https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/bitcoin" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Bitcoin </a>(BTC) bear market.
Speaking in a <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-06-23/digital-credit-could-be-3t-market-cole-video" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">recent interview</a> with Bloomberg, Cole laid out why he believes digital credit, securities that pay income backed by Bitcoin exposure, is not a niche product for crypto enthusiasts. It is, in his view, a solution to a fundamentally broken income market.
<h2 id="the-income-problem">The income problem</h2>
Cole's argument starts with a straightforward observation. Money markets do not keep pace with fiat currency debasement, which he puts at 6%-7% per year. U.S. treasuries had a 40-year bull run from 1980 to 2020 that propped up fixed income returns. That run is over.
<blockquote>
 "The money is broken. The dollar is broken and people are losing trust in income solutions," he said.
</blockquote>
Against that backdrop, he argues individuals, corporations, and institutions all need something that returns more than the rate of <a href="https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/analyst-sends-blunt-message-on-elon-musks-bitcoin-ties" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">currency debasement</a>, and is backed by an asset with staying power.
That is the gap digital credit is designed to fill.
<a href="https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/bitcoin-demand-is-gone-for-46-days-heres-what-this-analyst-says-investors-should-know" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Related: Bitcoin demand is gone for 46 days, here's what this analyst says investors should know</a>
<h2 id="where-strive-stands-right-now">Where Strive stands right now</h2>
Strive's digital credit product, SATA, pays a daily dividend, the first listed security in US capital markets history to do so, according to Cole. He contrasted this with money markets, which typically accrue and pay monthly. The daily payout, he said, substantially <a href="https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/michael-saylor-reveals-key-reason-for-bitcoins-crash" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">reduces volatility</a>.
Strive also holds an 18-month cash reserve, up from 12 months when SATA launched in November. Cole pointed to that as balance sheet strength, the company could, in his words, do nothing until end of 2027 without selling a single Bitcoin.
He noted that even through a 50% Bitcoin drawdown, SATA has delivered a positive total return since inception.
By contrast, TLT, the largest treasury ETF, has returned negative 25% over the past six years.
<h3 id="popular-on-thestreet-roundtable">Popular on TheStreet Roundtable:</h3>
<ul>
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 <li><a href="https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/anthony-scaramucci-unveils-bitcoin-target-for-july" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Ex-Trump advisor unveils new Bitcoin price target</a></li>
 <li><a href="https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/analyst-issues-bold-call-on-cathie-woods-favorite-crypto-stock" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Analyst issues bold call on Cathie Wood's favorite crypto stock</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="the-path-to-3-trillion">The path to $3 trillion</h2>
Cole acknowledged the digital credit universe currently consists of just two products, SATA from Strive and STRC from Strategy.
<blockquote>
 "The fact that we've seen it explode to about $10 billion in the midst of a bear market shows you what this could be in good times," he said.
</blockquote>
Getting to $3 trillion means <a href="https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/arthur-hayes-sets-fresh-bitcoin-target-after-calling-market-bottom" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">new issuers</a>, new currencies, and different risk-return profiles for different investors.
<a href="https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/analyst-compares-saylors-strategy-to-bankrupt-crypto-project" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Related: Analyst compares Saylor's Strategy to bankrupt crypto company</a>

Former Treasury manager issues bold call on $3 trillion Bitcoin market

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