A new development is brewing in the internet industry as Zoom Video Communications faces pressure to shake up its treasury strategy. Eric Semler, head of Semler Scientific, has noticed the pressure on video conferencing giant Zoom, despite its hefty $7.7 billion cash reserve. His advice? Explore Bitcoin as a potential strategy to revitalize Zoom’s fortunes. Pandemic Star’s Dramatic Trip From Grace A questionable reality has replaced the story of Zoom’s meteoric rise in the face of the COVID-19. Once a Wall Street darling, Zoom’s stock has fallen 40% in the past three years, 73% short of the S&P 500’s performance. Even more dismal is the company’s five-year forecast, which lags below the market as a whole by over 84%; not just numbers, but an organization attempting to make a name for itself in a post-pandemic society. “Zoom has struggled to find a second act to reignite momentum, despite aggressive reinvestment and acquisition attempts,” Semler said. The Bitcoin Solution: A Bold Or Reckless Move? Semler’s observation is not only attracting interest but also drawing questions among the finance industry. He actually did not mince words, describing Zoom’s current status as that of a “Zombie” and a “sore thumb.” Semler Scientific, his own company, has already bet heavily on Bitcoin, acquiring 3,192 BTC including recent purchases of 871 units for $88.5 million. Love the excitement out there for the Zombie Zone! There are plenty of Zombie companies to choose from across various industries, but one stands out like a sore thumb – and of course, it starts with Z. Zombie Zone company #1: Zoom Communications Why $ZM is the quintessential… — Eric Semler (@SemlerEric) February 13, 2025 The stock price of the medical technology company has doubled over the past year, although attributing this just to their Bitcoin approach would oversimplify issues. With access to reasonable credit terms and $2 billion annual cash flow, Zoom could conceivably become among the biggest corporate Bitcoin holdings overnight. Corporate Treasury Strategy Meets Crypto Reality The argument centers on a basic issue confronting modern companies: how should they handle their treasury in a time of booming digital assets? Zoom’s current situation is paradoxical – it maintains a healthy 40% EBITDA margin and generated $458 million in cash last quarter, yet trades at modest multiples of 15x forward earnings and 9x forward EBITDA. With about one-third of the company’s $25 billion market capitalization kept in cash, there is both a potential and a drawback. The Power Of One Decision Eric Yuan, Zoom’s creator and CEO, sits at the center of this possible metamorphosis since his unique voting shares provide him unheard-of influence over the company’s path. Yuan has kept a clear silence on Bitcoin while industry titans like Tesla and Strategy—formerly MicroStrategy—have embraced it as a hedge against inflation. His choice might either support the conventional wisdom on cash holdings or set off a radical change in corporate treasury management. Shareholders want clarity and growth, but Zoom is stuck between innovation and legacy. The problem is not only Bitcoin but also whether a company with solid roots but stalled development should enter the volatile cryptocurrency industry to improve its market position. As the narrative unfolds, all eyes remain on Yuan and his next move in this high-stakes game of corporate strategy. Featured image from Gemini Imagen, chart from TradingView
