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MICROSTRATEGY Inc

For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Feb 15, 2024.

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A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2023 · Filed Feb 15, 2024

MSTR$125.59-2.6%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(1) Organization

MicroStrategy is committed to the continued development of the Bitcoin network through its activities in the financial markets, advocacy and technology innovation. The Company’s enterprise analytics software business, which it has operated for over 30 years, is its predominant operational focus. The Company uses the cash flows generated by its software business, as well as proceeds from equity and debt financings, to accumulate bitcoin, which serves as its primary treasury reserve asset.

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

(b) Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements, in conformity with GAAP, requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including, but not limited to, those related to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, investments, fixed assets, digital assets, leases, debt, share-based compensation, income taxes, including the carrying value of deferred tax assets, and litigation and contingencies, including liabilities that the Company deems not probable of assertion. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets, liabilities, and equity that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results and outcomes could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

(c) Fair Value Measurements

The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is defined as the price that is expected to be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company uses a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used for the various valuation techniques. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1:Quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2:Inputs other than quoted prices that are either directly or indirectly observable, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3:Inputs that are generally unobservable, supported by little or no market activity, and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The categorization of an asset or liability within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The valuation techniques used by the Company when measuring fair value maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The Company also estimates the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and accrued compensation and employee benefits. The Company considers the carrying value of these instruments in the Consolidated Financial Statements to approximate fair value due to their short maturities.

(d) Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash equivalents may include bank demand deposits, money market instruments, certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury securities, and equivalent funds. The Company generally considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Restricted cash consists of cash balances restricted in use by contractual obligations with third parties.

(e) Credit Losses on Accounts Receivable

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on its accounts receivable balances, which represents its best estimate of current expected credit losses over the contractual life of the accounts receivable. When evaluating the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses each reporting period, the Company analyzes accounts receivable balances with similar risk characteristics on a collective basis, considering factors such as the aging of receivable balances, payment terms, geographic location, historical loss experience, current information, and future expectations. Each reporting period, the Company reassesses whether any accounts receivable no longer share similar risk characteristics and should instead be evaluated as part of another pool or on an individual basis. Changes to the allowance for credit losses are adjusted through credit loss expense, which is presented within “General and administrative” operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(f) Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash equivalents with high credit-quality financial institutions and has established guidelines relative to credit ratings and maturities that seek to maintain safety and liquidity.

The Company sells its offerings to various companies across several industries throughout the world in the ordinary course of business. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers and maintains allowances for anticipated losses. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, no individual customer accounted for 10% or more of net accounts receivable, and for the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021, no individual customer accounted for 10% or more of revenue.

(g) Digital Assets

The Company accounts for its digital assets, which are comprised solely of bitcoin, as indefinite-lived intangible assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. The Company has ownership of and control over its bitcoin and uses third-party custodial services at multiple locations that are geographically dispersed to store its bitcoin. The Company’s digital assets are initially recorded at cost. Subsequently, they are measured at cost, net of any impairment losses incurred since acquisition.

The Company determines the fair value of its bitcoin on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, based on quoted (unadjusted) prices on the Coinbase exchange, the active exchange that the Company has determined is its principal market for bitcoin (Level 1 inputs). The Company performs an analysis each quarter to identify whether events or changes in circumstances, principally decreases in the quoted (unadjusted) prices on the active exchange, indicate that it is more likely than not that any of the assets are impaired. In determining if an impairment has occurred, the Company considers the lowest price of one bitcoin quoted on the active exchange at any time since acquiring the specific bitcoin held by the Company. If the carrying value of a bitcoin exceeds that lowest price, an impairment loss has occurred with respect to that bitcoin in the amount equal to the difference between its carrying value and such lowest price.

Impairment losses are recognized in the period in which the impairment occurs and are reflected within “Digital asset impairment losses (gains on sale), net” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The impaired digital assets are written down to their fair value at the time of impairment and this new cost basis will not be adjusted upward for any subsequent increase in fair value. Gains (if any) are not recorded until realized upon sale, at which point they are presented net of any impairment losses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. In determining the gain to be recognized upon sale, the Company calculates the difference between the sales price and carrying value of the specific bitcoins sold immediately prior to sale.

See Note 4, Digital Assets, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the Company’s purchases and sales of digital assets.

(h) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows: three years for computer equipment and purchased software; five years for office equipment;10 years for office furniture; and 19 years for the Company’s corporate aircraft, which has an estimated salvage value of 21%. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter. The Company periodically evaluates the appropriateness of the estimated useful lives and salvage value of all property and equipment. Any change in the estimated useful life or salvage value is treated as a change in estimate and accounted for prospectively in the period of change.

Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When assets are retired or sold, the capitalized cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the property and equipment accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the results of operations.

Eligible internal-use software development costs are capitalized subsequent to the completion of the preliminary project stage. Such costs include external direct material and service costs, employee payroll, and payroll-related costs. After all substantial testing and deployment is completed and the software is ready for its intended use, capitalization ceases and internal-use software development costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, generally three years.

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. Each impairment test is based on a comparison of the undiscounted cash flows to the recorded value of the asset. If an asset is impaired, the asset is written down by the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the related fair value of the asset.

(i) Leases

A lease is a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to both (i) obtain economic benefits from and (ii) direct the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company evaluates its contracts to determine if they contain a lease and classifies any lease components identified as an operating or finance lease. For each lease component, the Company recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability. ROU assets and lease liabilities are presented separately for operating and finance leases; however, the Company currently has no material finance leases. The Company’s operating leases are primarily related to office space in the United States and foreign locations.

In a contract that contains a lease, a component is an item or activity that transfers a good or service to the lessee. Such contracts may be comprised of lease components, non-lease components, and elements that are not components. Each lease component represents a lessee’s right to use an underlying asset in the contract if the lessee can benefit from the right of use of the asset either on its own or together with other readily available resources and if the right of use is neither highly dependent nor highly interrelated with other rights of use. Non-lease components include items such as common area maintenance and utilities provided by the lessor. The Company has elected the practical expedient to not separate lease components from non-lease components for office space, which is the Company’s only material underlying asset class. For each lease within this asset class, the non-lease components and related lease components are accounted for as a single lease component. Items or activities that do not transfer goods or services to the lessee, such as administrative tasks to set up the contract and reimbursement or payment of lessor costs, are not components of the contract and therefore no contract consideration is allocated to such items or activities.

Consideration in the contract is comprised of any fixed payments and variable payments that depend on an index or rate. Payments in the Company’s operating lease arrangements are typically comprised of base office rent and parking fees. Costs related to the Company’s non-lease components, as described above, are generally variable and do not depend on an index or rate and are therefore excluded from the contract consideration allocated to the lease components. The Company’s operating lease arrangements generally do not contain any payments related to items or activities that are not components.

Operating lease liabilities are initially and subsequently measured at the present value of unpaid lease payments, discounted at the discount rate of the lease. Operating lease ROU assets are initially measured as the sum of the initial lease liability, any initial direct costs incurred, and any prepaid lease payments, less any lease incentives received. The ROU asset is amortized over the term of the lease. The amortization of operating lease ROU assets is included in “Reduction in carrying amount of right-of-use assets” within the operating activities section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. A single lease expense is recorded within operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments that are not included in the measurement of the lease liability are recognized in the period when the obligations for those payments are incurred. In the Company’s lease agreements, these variable payments typically include certain taxes, utilities, and maintenance costs, and other fees.

The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for all of its leases, as the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable in any of its lease contracts. In order to estimate a collateralized borrowing rate curve, the Company first estimates a synthetic credit rating and then applies modeling methodologies to an unsecured borrowing rate curve. In determining the incremental borrowing rate of each lease, the Company uses a centralized treasury approach and considers the currency of the contract, the economic environment in which the lease exists, and the term of the lease.

The Company does not recognize lease liabilities or ROU assets for any short-term leases with a non-cancellable lease term of 12 months or less. Instead, the lease payments for these short-term leases are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term, and any variable payments are recognized in the period when the obligations for those payments are incurred. The Company believes that, using this methodology, the expense recorded reasonably reflects the Company’s short-term lease commitments.

(j) Software Development Costs

The Company didnot capitalize any software development costs during the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021. Due to the pace of the Company’s software development efforts and frequency of its software releases, the Company’s software development costs are expensed as incurred within “Research and development” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(k) Loss Contingencies and Legal Costs

The Company accrues loss contingencies that are believed to be probable and can be reasonably estimated. As events evolve during the administration and litigation process and additional information becomes known, the Company reassesses its estimates related to loss contingencies. Legal costs are expensed in the period in which the costs are incurred.

(l) Deferred Revenue and Advance Payments

Deferred revenue and advance payments are contract liabilities that represent amounts received or due from customers in advance of the Company transferring its software or services to the customer under an enforceable contract. Revenue is subsequently recognized in the period(s) in which control of the software or services is transferred to the customer. Deferred revenue is comprised of deferred product licenses and subscription services, product support, or other services revenue based on the transaction price allocated to the specific performance obligation in the contract with the customer, and presented as either current or non-current in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, depending on whether the software or services are expected to be transferred to the customer within the next year.

(m) Debt Arrangements

As discussed in Note 8, Long-term Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company issued convertible senior notes in December 2020 and February 2021 and senior secured notes in June 2021, and entered into secured term loan agreements in March 2022 and June 2022. The embedded conversion features in each of the convertible notes are indexed to the Company’s class A common stock and meet the criteria for classification in stockholders’ equity, and therefore derivative accounting does not apply. The Company records the aggregate principal amount of each of its debt instruments as a liability on its Consolidated Balance Sheets, offset by the issuance costs associated with each instrument. The issuance costs are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected term of each debt instrument.

(n) Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue using a five-step model:

(i)

Identifying the contract(s) with a customer,

(ii)

Identifying the performance obligation(s),

(iii)

Determining the transaction price,

(iv)

Allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and

(v)

Recognizing revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation.

The Company has elected to exclude taxes assessed by government authorities in determining the transaction price, and therefore revenue is recognized net of taxes collected from customers. The Company enters into non-cancellable nonrefundable orders with customers and does not have a history of granting returns or refunds and therefore does not have a reserve for future returns.

Performance Obligations and Timing of Revenue Recognition

The Company primarily sells goods and services that fall into the categories discussed below. Each category contains one or more performance obligations that are either (i) capable of being distinct (i.e., the customer can benefit from the good or service on its own or together with readily available resources, including those purchased separately from the Company) and distinct within the context of the contract (i.e., separately identifiable from other promises in the contract) or (ii) a series of distinct goods or services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. Aside from the Company’s term and perpetual product licenses, which are delivered at a point in time, the majority of the Company’s services are delivered over time.

Product Licenses

The Company sells different types of business intelligence software, licensed on a term or perpetual basis and installed either on premises or on a public cloud that is procured and managed by the customer. Although product licenses are sold with product support, the software is fully functional at the outset of the arrangement and is considered a distinct performance obligation. Revenue from product license sales is recognized when control of the license is transferred to the customer, which is the later of delivery or commencement of the license term. The Company may also sell through resellers and OEMs who purchase the Company’s software for resale. In reseller arrangements, revenue is generally recognized when control of the license is transferred to the end user. In OEM arrangements, revenue is recognized when control of the license is transferred to the OEM.

Subscription Services

The Company also sells access to its software through MCE, a cloud subscription service, wherein customers access the software through a cloud environment that the Company manages on behalf of the customer. Control of the software itself does not transfer to the customer under this arrangement and is not considered a separate performance obligation. Cloud subscriptions are regularly sold on a standalone basis and include technical support, monitoring, backups, updates, and quarterly service reviews. Additionally, customers with existing on-premise software licenses may convert their installations to MCE, at which time the on-premise licenses are typically terminated and replaced by a new subscription to the MCE service. At conversion, an analysis is performed for each contract to determine whether any revenue adjustments are necessary given that the contract modifications revoke previously transferred rights to perpetual on-premise software. Such revenue adjustments were not material for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. Revenue related to cloud subscriptions is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period, which is the period over which the customer has continuous access to the software.

Product Support

In all product license transactions, customers are required to purchase a standard product support package (either separately or as an included component of a term license transaction) that may subsequently be renewed at their option. Customers may also purchase a premium product support package for a fixed annual fee. All product support packages include both technical support and when-and-if-available software upgrades, which are treated as a single performance obligation as they are considered a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same duration and measure of progress. Revenue from product support is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period, which is the period over which the customer has continuous access to product support.

Consulting Services

The Company sells consulting services to help customers plan and execute deployment of the Company’s software. Customers are not required to use consulting services to fully benefit from the software. Consulting services are regularly sold on a standalone basis and either (i) prepaid upfront or (ii) sold on a time and materials basis. Consulting arrangements are each considered separate performance obligations because they do not integrate with each other or with other offerings to deliver a combined output to the customer, do not modify or customize (or are not modified or customized by) each other or other offerings, and do not affect the customer’s ability to use the other consulting services or the Company’s other offerings. Revenue under consulting arrangements is recognized over time as services are delivered. For time and materials-based consulting arrangements, the Company has elected the practical expedient of recognizing revenue upon invoicing since the invoiced amount corresponds directly to the value of the Company’s service to date.

Education Services

The Company sells various education and training services to its customers. Education services are sold on a standalone basis under two different types of arrangements: (i) annual subscriptions to live and on-demand training courses and (ii) custom courses purchased on an hourly basis. Education arrangements are each considered separate performance obligations because they do not integrate with each other or with other offerings to deliver a combined output to the customer, do not modify or customize (or are not modified or customized by) each other or other offerings, and do not affect the customer’s ability to use the other education services or the Company’s other offerings. Revenue on annual subscriptions is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period, which is the period over which the customer has continuous access to the training courses. Revenue on custom courses is recognized on a time and materials basis as the services are delivered.

See Note 16, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding total revenues by geographic region.

Estimates and Judgments

The Company makes estimates and judgments to allocate the transaction price based on an observable or estimated SSP. The Company also makes estimates and judgments with respect to capitalizing incremental costs to obtain a customer contract and determining the subsequent amortization period. These estimates and judgments are discussed further below.

Determining the Transaction Price

The transaction price includes both fixed and variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal will not occur. The amount of variable consideration excluded from the transaction price was not material for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. The Company’s estimates of variable consideration are also subject to subsequent true-up adjustments and may result in changes to its transaction prices. Such true-up adjustments have not been and are not expected to be material. The Company has the following sources of variable consideration:

(i)

Performance penalties – Subscription services and product support arrangements generally contain performance response time guarantees. For subscription services arrangements, the Company estimates variable consideration using a portfolio approach because performance penalties are tied to standard up-time requirements. For product support arrangements, the Company estimates variable consideration on a contract basis because such arrangements are customer-specific. For both subscription services and product support arrangements, the Company uses an expected value approach to estimate variable consideration based on historical business practices and current and future performance expectations to determine the likelihood of incurring penalties.

(ii)

Extended payment terms –The Company’s standard payment terms are generally within 180 days of invoicing. If extended payment terms are granted to customers, those terms generally do not exceed one year. For contracts with extended payment terms, the Company estimates variable consideration on a contract basis because such estimates are customer-specific and uses an expected value approach to analyze historical business experience on a customer-by-customer basis to determine the likelihood that extended payment terms lead to an implied price concession.

(iii)

Sales and usage-based royalties – Certain product license arrangements include sales or usage-based royalties, covering both product license and product support. In these arrangements, the Company uses an expected value approach to estimate and recognize revenue for royalty sales each period, utilizing historical data on a contract-by-contract basis. True-up adjustments are recorded in subsequent periods when royalty reporting is received from the OEMs and during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were not material.

The Company provides a standard software assurance warranty to repair, replace, or refund software that does not perform in accordance with documentation. The standard software assurance warranty period is generally less than one year. Assurance warranty claims were not material for the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021.

The Company does not adjust the transaction price for significant financing components where the time period between cash payment and performance is one year or less. However, there are circumstances where the timing between cash payment and performance may exceed one year. These circumstances generally involve prepaid multi-year license, product support and subscription services arrangements where the customer determines when the service is utilized. In these circumstances, the Company has determined no significant financing component exists because the customer controls when to utilize the service and because there are significant business purposes behind the timing difference between payment and performance (e.g., ensuring collectability in the case of subscription services).

Allocating the Transaction Price Based on Standalone Selling Prices (SSP)

The Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation in a contract based on its relative SSP. The SSP is the price, or estimated price, of the software or service when sold on a standalone basis at contract inception. In circumstances where SSP is not directly observable, the Company estimates SSP using the following methodologies:

(i)

Product licenses – Product licenses are not sold on a standalone basis and pricing is highly variable. The Company establishes SSP of product licenses using a residual approach after first establishing the SSP of standard product support. Standard product support is sold on a standalone basis within a narrow range of the stated net license fee, and because an economic relationship exists between product licenses and standard product support, the Company has concluded that the residual method to estimate SSP of product licenses sold on both a perpetual and term basis is a fair allocation of the transaction price.

(ii)

Subscription services – Given the highly variable selling price of subscription services, the Company establishes the SSP of its subscription services arrangements using a similar residual approach after first establishing the SSP of consulting and education services to the extent they are included in the arrangement. The Company has concluded that the residual method to estimate SSP of its subscription services is a fair allocation of the transaction price.

(iii)

Standard product support – The Company establishes SSP of standard product support as a percentage of the stated net license fee, given such pricing is consistent with its normal pricing practices and there exists sufficient history of customers renewing standard product support on a standalone basis at similar percentages. Semi-annually, the Company tracks renewal rates negotiated when standard product support is initially sold with a perpetual license in order to determine the SSP of standard product support within each geographic region for the upcoming quarter. If the stated standard product support fee falls within the SSP range, the specific rate in the contract will be used to determine SSP. If the stated fee is above or below SSP, the highest or lowest end of the range, respectively, will generally be used to determine SSP of standard product support for perpetual licenses. For term licenses, the Company determines SSP of standard product support at the lower end of the SSP range used for perpetual licenses because the term licenses are time bound, resulting in a lower value placed on product support as compared to a perpetual license.

(iv)

Premium product support, consulting services, and education services –SSP of premium product support, consulting services, and education services is established by using a bell-shaped curve approach to define a narrow range within each geographic region in which the services are discounted off of the list price on a standalone basis.

The Company often provides options to purchase future offerings at a discount. The Company analyzes the option price against the previously established SSP of the goods or services to determine if the options represent material rights that should be accounted for as separate performance obligations. In general, an option sold at or above SSP is not considered a material right because the customer could have received that right without entering into the contract. If a material right exists, revenue associated with the option is deferred and recognized when the future goods or services are transferred, or when the option expires. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, separate performance obligations arising from future purchase options have not been material.

(o) Incremental Costs to Obtain Customer Contracts

The Company capitalizes costs incurred to obtain a contract with a customer when they are deemed incremental to obtaining the contract and expected to be recoverable. Capitalizable costs are generally limited to sales incentives paid to the Company’s sales team. The Company capitalizes the amounts related to new product support, cloud subscription, and term license contracts. Costs capitalized are amortized over a period of time that is consistent with the pattern of transfer to the customer, which the Company has determined is generally three years and includes consideration for contract length, anticipated renewals, product life cycle, and customer behavior. The Company amortizes the cost over this period on a straight-line basis for product support and subscription service components, and at point(s) in time coinciding with delivery of the license component of term license contracts. The Company has elected the practical expedient to expense capitalizable costs as incurred where the amortization period would be one year or less, which includes those amounts earned on perpetual license, consulting, and education contracts, and renewals of product support, cloud subscription, and term license contracts.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, capitalized costs to obtain customer contracts, net of accumulated amortization, were $15.7 million and $15.8 million, respectively, and are presented within “Deposits and other assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021, amortization expenses related to these capitalized costs were $8.1 million, $4.5 million, and $2.7 million, respectively, and are reflected within “Sales and marketing” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(p) Advertising Costs

Advertising costs include production costs, which are expensed the first time the advertisement takes place, and media placement costs, which are expensed in the month the advertising appears. Total advertising costs were $0.1 million, $0.8 million, and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company hadno prepaid advertising costs.

(q) Share-based Compensation

The Company maintains the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2013 Equity Plan”), and the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Equity Plan,” and, together with the 2013 Equity Plan, the “Stock Incentive Plans”). As of May 2023, no new awards will be granted under the 2013 Equity Plan, though awards previously granted under the 2013 Equity Plan remain outstanding in accordance with their terms. Under the Stock Incentive Plans, the Company’s employees, officers, directors, and other eligible participants may be (with respect to the 2023 Equity Plan) and have been (with respect to both the 2023 Equity Plan and the 2013 Equity Plan) awarded various types of share-based compensation, including options to purchase shares of the Company’s class A common stock, restricted stock units, and other stock-based awards. Additionally, under the 2023 Equity Plan, awards may be and have been granted that are subject to the achievement of one or more performance measures established by the Company’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof. During 2021, the Company adopted and the Company’s stockholders approved the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2021 ESPP”), under which eligible employees of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries may be provided with opportunities to purchase shares of the Company’s class A common stock.

For options and other stock-based awards, the share-based compensation expense is based on the fair value of the awards on the date of grant, as estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. For restricted stock units, the share-based compensation expense is based on the fair value of the Company’s class A common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of liability-classified awards (e.g., the other stock-based awards and cash-settled restricted stock units) is remeasured at each reporting date. For performance stock units subject to a market condition, the Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the grant date fair value. For the 2021 ESPP, the share-based compensation expense is based on the grant date fair value, which consists of the intrinsic value of any purchase discount and the fair value of the look-back provision using the Black-Scholes valuation model.

The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense for service-conditioned awards granted under the Stock Incentive Plans and the 2021 ESPP on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period (generally, the vesting period for service-conditioned awards under the Stock Incentive Plans and the offering period under the 2021 ESPP). The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense for market-conditioned performance stock units granted under the 2023 Equity Plan ratably over the performance period using an accelerated attribution cost recognition method. Share-based compensation expense is recorded in cost of revenues or operating expense line items in the Statement of Operations corresponding to the respective participant’s role or function.

See Note 11, Share-based Compensation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the Stock Incentive Plans, the 2021 ESPP, related share-based compensation expense, and assumptions used in determining fair value.

(r) Income Taxes

The Company is subject to federal, state, and local income taxes in the United States and a number of foreign countries. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, the Company determines deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities on the basis of differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in the tax rates on deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

For uncertain income tax positions, the Company uses a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold based on the technical merits of the income tax position taken. Income tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured in order to determine the tax benefit recognized in the financial statements. The Company recognizes accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, are recognized as a component of income tax expense.

The Company provides a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value, when appropriate.

(s) Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is determined by dividing the net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock, including shares of class A common stock and class B common stock, outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is determined by dividing the net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potential shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The impact from potential shares of common stock on the diluted earnings per share calculation are included when dilutive. Potential shares of common stock consisting of class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding employee stock options, the vesting of restricted stock units and performance stock units considered probable of achievement, and in connection with the 2021 ESPP, are computed using the treasury stock method. Potential shares of class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the Company’s convertible senior notes are computed using the if-converted method. In computing diluted earnings per share, the Company first calculates the earnings per incremental share (“EPIS”) for each class of potential shares of common stock and ranks the classes from the most dilutive (i.e., lowest EPIS) to the least dilutive (i.e., highest EPIS). Basic earnings per share is then adjusted for the effect of each class of shares, in sequence and cumulatively, until a particular class no longer produces further dilution.

The Company has two classes of common stock: class A common stock and class B common stock. Holders of class A common stock generally have the same rights, including rights to dividends, as holders of class B common stock, except that holders of class A common stock haveone vote per share while holders of class B common stock haveten votes per share. Each share of class B common stock is convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into one share of class A common stock. As such, basic and fully diluted earnings per share for class A common stock and for class B common stock are the same. The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on either class A or class B common stock. As of December 31,2023 and 2022, there wereno shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

(t) Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the Company’s international operations is generally the local currency. Accordingly, such assets and liabilities of international subsidiaries are translated using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, and revenue and expenses are translated using average monthly exchange rates for the period in which the transactions occur. The related translation adjustments are reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in stockholders’ equity (deficit). In general, upon complete or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in an international subsidiary, the amount of accumulated translation adjustments attributable to that subsidiary is reclassified from stockholders’ equity (deficit) to the statement of operations. Transaction gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved are included in the results of operations.

As of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the cumulative foreign currency translation balances were $(11.4) million, $(13.8) million, and $(7.5) million, respectively. No taxes were recognized on the temporary differences resulting from foreign currency translation adjustments for the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021.

Transaction gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in foreign currencies resulted in a net loss of $5.6 million in 2023 and net gains of $6.2 million and $2.5 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and are included in “Other (expense) income, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(3) Recent Accounting Standards

Crypto Assets

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60): Accounting for and Disclosure of Crypto Assets (“ASU 2023-08”). ASU 2023-08 requires in-scope crypto assets (including the Company's bitcoin holdings) to be measured at fair value in the statement of financial position, with gains and losses from changes in the fair value of such crypto assets recognized in net income each reporting period. ASU 2023-08 also requires certain interim and annual disclosures for crypto assets within the scope of the standard. The standard is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2025, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the annual reporting period in which the Company adopts the guidance. Prior periods will not be restated. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period for which an entity's financial statements have not been issued as of the beginning of the annual reporting period.

The Company expects the adoption of ASU 2023-08 will have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of cash flows and disclosures. Although the Company will continue to initially record its bitcoin purchases at cost, upon adopting ASU 2023-08, any subsequent increases or decreases in fair value will be recognized as incurred in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the fair value of the Company’s bitcoin will be reflected within the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets each reporting period-end. Upon adopting ASU 2023-08, the Company will no longer account for its bitcoin under a cost-less-impairment accounting model.

The Company is currently evaluating early adoption of ASU 2023-08 and the potential implications of unrealized fair value gains and losses as they relate to the changing global tax landscape. If the Company were to adopt this guidance during 2024, it estimates that its 2024 beginning retained earnings balance would increase by approximately $3.1 billion.

Income Taxes

In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 requires enhanced disclosures surrounding income taxes, particularly related to rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. In particular, on an annual basis, companies will be required to disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. Companies will also be required to disclose, on an annual basis, the amount of income taxes paid, disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes, and also disaggregated by individual jurisdictions above a quantitative threshold. The standard is effective for the Company for annual periods beginning January 1, 2025 on a prospective basis, with retrospective application permitted for all prior periods presented. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its disclosures.

Segment Reporting

In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 requires enhanced disclosures surrounding reportable segments, particularly (i) significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker ("CODM") and included in the reported measure(s) of a segment's profit and loss and (ii) other segment items that reconcile segment revenue and significant expenses to the reported measure(s) of a segment's profit and loss, both on an annual and interim basis. Companies are also required to provide all annual disclosures currently required under Topic 280 in interim periods, in addition to disclosing the title and position of the CODM and how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit and loss in assessing segment performance and allocating resources. The standard is effective for the Company for annual periods beginning January 1, 2024 and for interim periods beginning January 1, 2025, with updates applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its disclosures.

(4) Digital Assets

The following table summarizes the Company’s digital asset holdings (in thousands, except number of bitcoins), as of:

December 31,
20232022
Approximate number of bitcoins held189,150132,500
Digital assets carrying value$3,626,476$1,840,028
Cumulative digital asset impairment losses$2,269,013$2,153,162

The carrying value on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at each period-end represents the lowest fair value (based on Level 1 inputs in the fair value hierarchy) of the bitcoins at any time since their acquisition. Therefore, these fair value measurements were made during the period from their acquisition through December 31, 2023 or 2022, respectively, and not as of December 31, 2023 or 2022, respectively.

The following table summarizes the Company’s digital asset purchases, digital asset sales, digital asset impairment losses, and gains on sale of digital assets (in thousands, except number of bitcoins) for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
Approximate number of bitcoins purchased56,6508,81353,922
Approximate number of bitcoins sold07040
Digital asset purchases$1,902,299$287,921$2,626,529
Digital asset sales$0$11,817$0
Digital asset impairment losses$115,851$1,287,213$830,621
Gains on sale of digital assets$0$927$0

From time to time, the Company may be extended short-term credits from its execution partners to purchase bitcoin in advance of using cash funds in the Company’s trading account. The trade credits are due and payable in cash within days after they are extended. In 2023, certain of the assets, including bitcoin, of MacroStrategy LLC (“MacroStrategy”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, were subject to a first priority security interest and lien in order to secure the repayment of short-term trade credits taken in its name. While trade credits are outstanding, the Company may incur interest fees and be required to maintain minimum balances in its trading and collateral accounts with such execution partners. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company hadno outstanding trade credits payable.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, approximately 16,081 and 14,890 of the bitcoins held by the Company, which had carrying values of approximately $263.9 million and $230.2 million on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31,2023 and 2022, respectively, served as part of the collateral for the Company’s 6.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Secured Notes”), as further described in Note 8, Long-term Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 34,619 of the bitcoins held by the Company, which had a carrying value of approximately $420.0 million on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2022, served as part of the collateral for a $205.0 million term loan (the “2025 Secured Term Loan”) issued to MacroStrategy by Silvergate Bank (“Silvergate”). Upon the repayment of the 2025 Secured Term Loan during the first quarter of 2023, Silvergate released its security interest in the aforementioned bitcoin. Refer to Note 8, Long-term Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details of the 2025 Secured Term Loan and its repayment.

(5) Contract Balances

The Company invoices its customers in accordance with billing schedules established in each contract. The Company’s rights to consideration from customers are presented separately in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets depending on whether those rights are conditional or unconditional.

The Company presents unconditional rights to consideration from customers within “Accounts receivable, net” in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. All of the Company’s contracts are generally non-cancellable and/or non-refundable, and therefore an unconditional right generally exists when the customer is billed or amounts are billable per the contract.

Accounts receivable (in thousands) consisted of the following, as of:

December 31,
20232022
Billed and billable$186,884$191,844
Less: allowance for credit losses(3,069)(2,564)
Accounts receivable, net$183,815$189,280

Changes in the allowance for credit losses were not material for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Rights to consideration that are subject to a condition other than the passage of time are considered contract assets until they are expected to become unconditional and transfer to accounts receivable. Current contract assets included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of $1.2 million and $0.6 million, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to accrued sales and usage-based royalty revenue and performance obligations or services being rendered in advance of future invoicing associated with multi-year contracts. In royalty-based arrangements, consideration is not billed or billable until the royalty reporting is received, generally in the subsequent quarter, at which time the contract asset transfers to accounts receivable and a true-up adjustment is recorded to revenue. These true-up adjustments are generally not material. Non-current contract assets included in “Deposits and other assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of $0.9 million and $0.7 million, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to performance obligations or services being rendered in advance of future invoicing associated with multi-year contracts. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, there wereno significant impairments to the Company’s contract assets, nor were there any significant changes in the timing of the Company’s contract assets being reclassified to accounts receivable.

Contract liabilities are amounts received or due from customers in advance of the Company transferring the software or services to the customer and presented as "Deferred revenue and advance payments" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In the case of multi-year service contract arrangements, the Company generally does not invoice more than one year in advance of services and does not record deferred revenue for amounts that have not been invoiced. Revenue is subsequently recognized in the period(s) in which control of the software or services is transferred to the customer.

The Company’s “Accounts receivable, net” and “Deferred revenue and advance payments” balances in the Consolidated Balance Sheets include unpaid amounts related to contracts under which the Company has an enforceable right to invoice the customer for non-cancellable and/or non-refundable software and services. Changes in accounts receivable and changes in deferred revenue and advance payments are presented net of these unpaid amounts in “Operating activities” in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Deferred revenue and advance payments (in thousands) from customers consisted of the following, as of:

December 31,
20232022
Current:
Deferred product licenses revenue$3,579$2,825
Deferred subscription services revenue65,51251,861
Deferred product support revenue152,012155,366
Deferred other services revenue7,0597,376
Total current deferred revenue and advance payments$228,162$217,428
Non-current:
Deferred product licenses revenue$0$2,742
Deferred subscription services revenue3,0973,030
Deferred product support revenue4,9846,387
Deferred other services revenue443604
Total non-current deferred revenue and advance payments$8,524$12,763

During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company recognized revenues of $215.9 million, $203.1 million, and $188.7 million, respectively, from amounts included in the total deferred revenue and advance payments balances at the beginning of the respective year. For the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021, there were no significant changes in the timing of revenue recognition on the Company’s deferred balances.

The Company’s remaining performance obligation represents all future revenue under contract and includes deferred revenue and advance payments and billable non-cancelable amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods. The remaining performance obligation excludes contracts that are billed in arrears, such as certain time and materials contracts. The portions of multi-year contracts that will be invoiced in the future are not presented on the balance sheet within accounts receivable and deferred revenues and are instead included in the following remaining performance obligation disclosure. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had an aggregate transaction price of $339.7 million allocated to the remaining performance obligation related to product support, subscription services, product licenses, and other services contracts. The Company expects to recognize $255.5 million within the next 12 months and the remainder thereafter.

(6) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment (in thousands) consisted of the following, as of:

December 31,
20232022
Corporate aircraft and related equipment$48,645$48,645
Computer equipment and purchased software60,97960,375
Furniture and equipment9,9209,936
Leasehold improvements29,94428,755
Internally developed software9,9179,917
Property and equipment, gross159,405157,628
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(130,464)(125,317)
Property and equipment, net$28,941$32,311

Depreciation and amortization expenses related to property and equipment were $6.4 million, $6.7 million, and $8.7 million for the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

(7) Leases

The Company leases office space in the United States and foreign locations under operating lease agreements. Office space is the Company’s only material underlying asset class under operating lease agreements. The Company has no material finance leases.

Under the Company’s office space lease agreements, fixed payments and variable payments that depend on an index or rate are typically comprised of base rent and parking fees. Additionally, under these agreements the Company is generally responsible for certain variable payments that typically include certain taxes, utilities and maintenance costs, and other fees. These variable lease payments are generally based on the Company’s occupation or usage percentages and are subject to adjustments by the lessor.

The Company’s ROU asset and total lease liability balances were $57.3 million and $71.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023, and $61.3 million and $77.4 million, respectively, as of December 31,2022. The Company’s most significant lease is for its corporate headquarters in Northern Virginia. The ROU asset and total lease liability balances related to the Company’s corporate headquarters lease were $48.1 million and $61.7 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023, and $52.5 million and $68.2 million, respectively, as of December 31,2022. The lease agreement for the Company’s corporate headquarters location is set to expire in December 2030, with anoption for the Company to extend the term for an additional five or 10 consecutive years. The Company is currently not reasonably certain it will exercise this renewal option and therefore has not included the renewal option in the lease term. Several of the Company’s remaining leases contain options for renewal or options to terminate all or a portion of the leased space. The Company continually assesses the likelihood of exercising these options and recognizes an option as part of its ROU assets and lease liabilities if and when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise the option.

The following table presents the Company’s total lease cost and other lease details for the periods indicated (in thousands, except years and discount rates):

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
Lease cost:
Operating lease cost$13,081$13,008$13,522
Short-term lease cost579582558
Variable lease cost7835141,224
Total lease cost$14,443$14,104$15,304
Other information:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities$9,862$14,224$15,772
ROU assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities$6,183$1,563$2,420
Weighted average remaining lease term in years – operating leases6.67.58.3
Weighted average discount rate – operating leases6.0%6.1%6.1%

The following table presents the maturities of the Company’s operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

For the year ended December 31,
2024$14,415
202513,357
202613,509
202712,865
202812,590
Thereafter19,352
Total lease payments86,088
Less: imputed interest(14,539)
Total$71,549
Reported as:
Current operating lease liabilities$10,463
Non-current operating lease liabilities61,086
Total$71,549

(8) Long-term Debt

The net carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt (in thousands) consisted of the following as of:

December 31,
20232022
2025 Convertible Notes$643,931$640,888
2027 Convertible Notes1,037,3061,033,277
2028 Secured Notes491,193489,547
2025 Secured Term Loan0204,688
Other long-term secured debt9,67810,160
Total$2,182,108$2,378,560

Convertible Senior Notes

In December 2020, the Company issued $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 0.750% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Convertible Notes”) in a private offering. The 2025 Convertible Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and bear interest at a fixed rate of 0.750% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2021. Holders of the 2025 Convertible Notes may receive additional interest under specified circumstances as outlined in the indenture relating to the issuance of the 2025 Convertible Notes (the “2025 Convertible Notes Indenture”). The 2025 Convertible Notes will mature on December 15, 2025, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased in accordance with their terms. The total net proceeds from the 2025 Convertible Notes offering, after deducting initial purchaser discounts and issuance costs, were approximately $634.7 million.

In February 2021, the Company issued $1.050 billion aggregate principal amount of 0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Convertible Notes”) in a private offering. The 2027 Convertible Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and do not bear regular interest. However, holders of the 2027 Convertible Notes may receive special interest under specified circumstances as outlined in the indenture relating to the issuance of the 2027 Convertible Notes (the “2027 Convertible Notes Indenture”). Any special interest is payable semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on August 15, 2021. The 2027 Convertible Notes will mature on February 15, 2027, unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased in accordance with their terms. The total net proceeds from the 2027 Convertible Notes offering, after deducting initial purchaser discounts and issuance costs, were approximately $1.026 billion.

The 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes (collectively, the “Convertible Notes”) are senior unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes; equal in right of payment to any of the Company’s unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of the Company’s subsidiaries.

The Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s class A common stock at initial conversion rates of 2.5126 shares and 0.6981 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes for the 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $397.99 per share and $1,432.46 per share of class A common stock for the 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively). The conversion rates are subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. In addition, following certain events that may occur prior to the respective maturity dates or if the Company delivers a notice of redemption, the Company will increase the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its Convertible Notes in connection with such corporate event or notice of redemption, as the case may be, in certain circumstances as provided in the 2025 Convertible Notes Indenture and the 2027 Convertible Notes Indenture (collectively, the “Convertible Notes Indentures”), respectively. There have been no adjustments to the initial conversion rates for each of the Convertible Notes as of December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the maximum number of shares into which the Convertible Notes could be potentially converted if the conversion features are triggered are 1,633,190 and 733,005 shares for the 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively.

Prior to June 15, 2025 and August 15, 2026 for the 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, the Convertible Notes are convertible only under the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021 for the 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the Company’s class A common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of the 2025 Convertible Notes or 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, on each applicable trading day; (2) during thefive business day period after anyfive consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the “trading price” (as defined in the Convertible Notes Indentures) per $1,000 principal amount of the 2025 Convertible Notes or 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s class A common stock and the applicable conversion rate on each such trading day; (3) if the Company calls any or all of the 2025 Convertible Notes or 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date; and (4) upon occurrence of specified corporate events as described in the Convertible Notes Indentures.

On or after June 15, 2025 or August 15, 2026 for the 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity dates of the 2025 Convertible Notes or 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, holders may convert the 2025 Convertible Notes or 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, at any time. Upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of the Company’s class A common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of class A common stock, at the Company’s election.

Prior to December 20, 2023 or February 20, 2024 for the 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, the Company may not redeem the Convertible Notes. The Company may redeem for cash all or a portion of the 2025 Convertible Notes or 2027 Convertible Notes, at its option, on or after December 20, 2023 or February 20, 2024, respectively, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s class A common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price of the 2025 Convertible Notes or 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive), including the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides a notice of redemption, during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides notice of redemption. The redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. The Company hasnot redeemed any of the Convertible Notes as of December 31,2023.

If the Company undergoes a “fundamental change,” as defined in the Convertible Notes Indentures, prior to maturity, subject to certain conditions, holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their Convertible Notes at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

The Convertible Notes Indentures contain customary terms and covenants, including that upon certain events of default occurring and continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding 2025 Convertible Notes or 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, may declare 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all the 2025 Convertible Notes or 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, to be due and payable.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the 2025 Convertible Notes were not convertible at any time. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the 2025 Convertible Notes were convertible at the option of the holders of the 2025 Convertible Notes during the first quarter of 2022 only. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the 2025 Convertible Notes were convertible at the option of the holders of the 2025 Convertible Notes during the second quarter and fourth quarter of 2021 only. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the 2027 Convertible Notes were not convertible at any time. No conversions of the Convertible Notes occurred during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. The Convertible Notes may be convertible in future periods if one or more of the conversion conditionsis satisfied during future measurement periods. As of December 31, 2023, the last reported sale price of the Company’s class A common stock for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, December 31, 2023 was greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of the 2025 Convertible Notes on each applicable trading day. Therefore, the 2025 Convertible Notes are convertible at the option of the holders of the 2025 Convertible Notes during the first quarter of 2024.

The Company incurred approximately $15.3 million and $24.2 million in customary offering expenses associated with the 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively (“issuance costs”). The Company accounts for these issuance costs as a reduction to the principal amount of the 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, and amortizes the issuance costs to interest expense over the contractual term of the 2025 Convertible Notes and 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, at an effective interest rate of 1.23% and 0.39%, respectively.

Although the Convertible Notes each contain embedded conversion features, the Company accounts for each of the Convertible Notes in its entirety as a liability because the conversion features are indexed to the Company’s class A common stock and meet the criteria for classification in stockholders’ equity and therefore do not qualify for separate derivative accounting. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the net carrying value of the Convertible Notes was classified as a long-term liability in the “Long-term debt, net” line item in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following is a summary of the Company’s convertible debt instruments as of December 31,2023 (in thousands):

Outstanding · Unamortized · Net Carrying · Fair Value
Principal AmountIssuance CostsValueAmountLeveling
2025 Convertible Notes$650,000$(6,069)$643,931$1,074,713Level 2
2027 Convertible Notes1,050,000(12,694)1,037,306913,808Level 2
Total$1,700,000$(18,763)$1,681,237$1,988,521

The following is a summary of the Company’s convertible debt instruments as of December 31,2022 (in thousands):

Outstanding · Unamortized · Net Carrying · Fair Value
Principal AmountIssuance CostsValueAmountLeveling
2025 Convertible Notes$650,000$(9,112)$640,888$364,000Level 2
2027 Convertible Notes1,050,000(16,723)1,033,277394,800Level 2
Total$1,700,000$(25,835)$1,674,165$758,800

The fair value of the Convertible Notes is determined using observable market data other than quoted prices, specifically the last traded price at the end of the reporting period of identical instruments in the over-the-counter market (Level 2).

For the years ended December 31,2023, 2022 and 2021, interest expense related to the Convertible Notes was as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31, 2023 · Year Ended December 31, 2022 · Year Ended December 31, 2021
Contractual · Amortization of · Contractual · Amortization of · Contractual · Amortization of
Interest ExpenseIssuance CostsTotalInterest ExpenseIssuance CostsTotalInterest ExpenseIssuance CostsTotal
2025 Convertible Notes$4,875$3,043$7,918$4,875$3,006$7,881$4,875$2,970$7,845
2027 Convertible Notes04,0294,02904,0144,01403,4333,433
Total$4,875$7,072$11,947$4,875$7,020$11,895$4,875$6,403$11,278

The Company paid $4.9 million, $4.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively, in interest related to the 2025 Convertible Notes during the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021. The Company hasnot paid any additional interest or special interest related to the 2025 Convertible Notes or the 2027 Convertible Notes, respectively, to date.

Senior Secured Notes

On June 14, 2021, the Company issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2028 Secured Notes. The 2028 Secured Notes were sold under a purchase agreement, dated as of June 8, 2021, entered into by and among the Company, MicroStrategy Services Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Guarantor”), and Jefferies LLC, for resale to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and to persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The terms of the 2028 Secured Notes are governed by an indenture, dated as of June 14, 2021 (the “2028 Secured Notes Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral agent.

The 2028 Secured Notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by the Guarantor and certain subsidiaries of the Company (excluding MacroStrategy) that may be formed or acquired on or after June 14, 2021 (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The 2028 Secured Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.125% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2021. The 2028 Secured Notes have a stated maturity date of June 15, 2028, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased in accordance with their terms and subject to a springing maturity date of September 15, 2025 or November 16, 2026 as discussed further below. The total net proceeds from the 2028 Secured Notes, after deducting initial purchaser discounts and issuance costs, were approximately $487.2 million.

The 2028 Secured Notes and the related guarantees are secured, on a senior secured basis with the Company’s existing and future senior indebtedness, by a security interest in substantially all of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ assets (the “Collateral”). The Collateral includes any bitcoins or other digital assets acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor on or after June 14, 2021, but excludes bitcoins held by MacroStrategy and certain other excluded assets. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 16,081 of the bitcoins held by the Company serve as part of the Collateral. MacroStrategy is the Company’s subsidiary formed to hold bitcoins and digital assets that are not included in the Collateral, including bitcoins acquired before June 14, 2021, bitcoins that MacroStrategy acquired using the proceeds from the 2025 Secured Term Loan, and bitcoins purchased by MacroStrategy from contributions made to it by the Company with the proceeds from sales of the Company’s class A common stock, such as sales of the Company’s class A common stock pursuant to the equity offerings described in Note 13, At-the-Market Equity Offerings, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The 2028 Secured Notes and the related guarantees are the general senior secured obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and rank pari passu in right of payment with the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness, are senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, and are effectively senior to any existing and future unsecured indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (including the Convertible Notes) to the extent of the value of the Collateral (after giving effect to the sharing of such Collateral with holders of equal or prior ranking liens on the Collateral).

The 2028 Secured Notes and the guarantees are: (i) secured on a first priority basis by liens on the Collateral (subject to certain permitted liens and certain other exceptions, as provided in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture) or to the extent there is outstanding ABL Indebtedness (as defined in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture), secured on a first priority basis by the Notes Priority Collateral (as defined in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture) and on a second priority basis by liens on the ABL Priority Collateral (as defined in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture) (subject to certain permitted liens and certain other exceptions), (ii) effectively subordinated to any future ABL Indebtedness to the extent of the value of the ABL Priority Collateral securing such future ABL Indebtedness, (iii) effectively subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is secured by liens on assets of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that do not constitute a part of the Collateral, and (iv) structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of MacroStrategy and any other Company subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, other than intercompany indebtedness and liabilities owed to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor.

At any time and from time to time prior to June 15, 2024, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Secured Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2028 Secured Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, plus a “make-whole” premium as set forth in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture. At any time and from time to time on or after June 15, 2024, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Secured Notes at the redemption prices described in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time prior to June 15, 2024, but not more than once during each consecutive twelve-month period, the Company may redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Secured Notes at a redemption price equal to 103% of the principal amount of the 2028 Secured Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time prior to June 15, 2024, the Company may redeem, on one or more occasions, up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Secured Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings, at a redemption price equal to 106.125% of the principal amount of the 2028 Secured Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. The Company has not redeemed any of the 2028 Secured Notes as of December 31,2023.

If the Company experiences a Change of Control or Fundamental Change (each as defined in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture), the Company may be required to offer to repurchase the 2028 Secured Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date. In certain circumstances, the Company must use certain of the proceeds from a sale of assets to make an offer to repurchase 2028 Secured Notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date.

The 2028 Secured Notes include a springing maturity feature that will cause the stated maturity date to spring ahead to: (1)September 15, 2025 (the “First Springing Maturity Date”), unless on the First Springing Maturity Date (i) the Company has Liquidity (as defined in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture) in excess of 130% of the amount required to pay in full in cash the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of, and accrued interest on, the 2025 Convertible Notes or (ii) less than $100,000,000 of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Convertible Notes remains outstanding, (2)November 16, 2026 (the “Second Springing Maturity Date”), unless on the Second Springing Maturity Date (i) the Company has Liquidity in excess of 130% of the amount required to pay in full in cash the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of, and accrued interest on, the 2027 Convertible Notes or (ii) less than $100,000,000 of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Convertible Notes remains outstanding, or (3) the date (such date, an “FCCR Springing Maturity Date”) that is 91 days prior to the maturity date of any future convertible debt that we may issue that is then outstanding (the “FCCR Convertible Indebtedness”), unless on the FCCR Springing Maturity Date (i) the Company has Liquidity in excess of 130% of the amount required to pay in full in cash the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of and accrued interest on such FCCR Convertible Indebtedness or (ii) less than $100,000,000 of the aggregate principal amount of such FCCR Convertible Indebtedness remains outstanding. “Liquidity” is defined in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture and includes the Digital Asset Market Value (as defined in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture) of the bitcoin owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture) immediately prior to the issuance of the 2028 Secured Notes (which are referred to as “Existing Digital Assets”). As of December 31,2023, for purposes of calculating Liquidity, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries owned approximately 92,079 Existing Digital Assets, all of which were unencumbered.

The 2028 Secured Notes Indenture contains certain covenants with which the Company must comply, including covenants with respect to limitations on (i) additional indebtedness, (ii) liens, (iii) certain payments and investments, (iv) the ability to merge or consolidate with another person, or sell or otherwise dispose of substantially all the Company’s assets, and (v) certain transactions with affiliates. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of December 31, 2023.

The Company incurred approximately $12.8 million in customary offering expenses associated with the 2028 Secured Notes. The Company accounts for these issuance costs as a reduction to the principal amount of the 2028 Secured Notes and amortizes the issuance costs to interest expense over the contractual term of the 2028 Secured Notes at an effective interest rate of 6.58%. As of December 31,2023 and 2022, the net carrying value of the 2028 Secured Notes was classified as a long-term liability in the “Long-term debt, net” line item in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following is a summary of the 2028 Secured Notes as of December 31,2023 (in thousands):

Outstanding · Unamortized · Net Carrying · Fair Value
Principal AmountIssuance CostsValueAmountLeveling
2028 Secured Notes$500,000$(8,807)$491,193$485,070Level 2

The following is a summary of the 2028 Secured Notes as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

Outstanding · Unamortized · Net Carrying · Fair Value
Principal AmountIssuance CostsValueAmountLeveling
2028 Secured Notes$500,000$(10,453)$489,547$369,800Level 2

The fair value of the 2028 Secured Notes is determined using observable market data other than quoted prices, specifically the last traded price at the end of the reporting period of identical instruments in the over-the-counter market (Level 2).

For the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021, interest expense related to the 2028 Secured Notes was as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31, 2023 · Year Ended December 31, 2022 · Year Ended December 31, 2021
Contractual · Amortization of · Contractual · Amortization of · Contractual · Amortization of
Interest ExpenseIssuance CostsTotalInterest ExpenseIssuance CostsTotalInterest ExpenseIssuance CostsTotal
2028 Secured Notes$30,625$1,646$32,271$30,625$1,541$32,166$16,674$798$17,472

The Company paid $30.6 million, $30.6 million, and $15.4 million, respectively, in interest related to the 2028 Secured Notes during the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021.

Secured Term Loan

On March 23, 2022, MacroStrategy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit and Security Agreement”) with Silvergate pursuant to which Silvergate issued the $205.0 million 2025 Secured Term Loan to MacroStrategy.

On March 24, 2023, MacroStrategy and Silvergate entered into a Prepayment, Waiver and Payoff to Credit and Security Agreement, pursuant to which MacroStrategy voluntarily prepaid Silvergate approximately $161.0 million (the “Payoff Amount”), in full repayment, satisfaction, and discharge of the 2025 Secured Term Loan and all other obligations under the Credit and Security Agreement. Upon Silvergate’s receipt of the Payoff Amount on March 24, 2023, the Credit and Security Agreement was terminated and Silvergate released its security interest in all of MacroStrategy’s assets collateralizing the 2025 Secured Term Loan, including the bitcoin that was serving as collateral.

The Payoff Amount consisted of a $159.9 million payment to repay the full $205.0 million outstanding principal amount of the 2025 Secured Term Loan as of March 24, 2023 and a $1.1 million payment for accrued unpaid interest on the 2025 Secured Term Loan as of March 24, 2023. The Company also incurred $0.1 million in third party fees in connection with the repayment of the 2025 Secured Term Loan. The net carrying value of the 2025 Secured Term Loan as of March 24, 2023, immediately prior to the loan’s repayment, was $204.7 million, which resulted in a $44.7 million gain on debt extinguishment recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations in the first quarter of 2023.

MacroStrategy previously maintained a $5.0 million cash reserve account (the “Reserve Account”) with Silvergate to serve as additional collateral for the 2025 Secured Term Loan. On March 24, 2023, the $5.0 million then held in the Reserve Account was applied against the Payoff Amount, reducing the amount of additional funds that were required to be paid by MacroStrategy to Silvergate in connection with the payoff of the 2025 Secured Term Loan. As of December 31, 2022, the Reserve Account was presented within “Restricted cash” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Bitcoin Collateral Account was presented within “Digital assets” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as further described in Note 4, Digital Assets, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Prior to the prepayment, the 2025 Secured Term Loan was a senior secured obligation of MacroStrategy that bore interest at a floating rate equal to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate 30 Day Average, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s website, plus 3.70%, with a floor of 3.75%, with interest payable monthly in arrears beginning May 2022. The 2025 Secured Term Loan was scheduled to mature on March 23, 2025, unless earlier prepaid or repaid in accordance with the terms of the Credit and Security Agreement. The total net proceeds from the 2025 Secured Term Loan, after deducting lender fees and third-party costs, were approximately $204.6 million.

In accordance with the terms of the Credit and Security Agreement, the 2025 Secured Term Loan was initially collateralized at closing by bitcoin with a value of approximately $820.0 million placed in a collateral account (the “Bitcoin Collateral Account”) with a custodian mutually authorized by Silvergate and MacroStrategy. While the 2025 Secured Term Loan was outstanding, MacroStrategy was required to maintain a loan to collateral value ratio (“LTV Ratio”) of less than 50%. As a result, MacroStrategy was required to maintain more than $410.0 million of bitcoin in the Bitcoin Collateral Account, assuming the full $205.0 million of 2025 Secured Term Loan principal remained outstanding.

The Company incurred approximately $0.4 million in lender fees and third-party costs (“issuance costs”) associated with the 2025 Secured Term Loan. The Company accounted for these issuance costs as a reduction to the principal amount of the 2025 Secured Term Loan and amortized the issuance costs to interest expense over the contractual term of the 2025 Secured Term Loan at an effective interest rate of 3.87% until the 2025 Secured Term Loan's prepayment in March 2023. As of December 31, 2022, the net carrying value of the 2025 Secured Term Loan was classified as a long-term liability in the “Long-term debt, net” line item in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The following is a summary of the 2025 Secured Term Loan as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

Outstanding · Unamortized · Net Carrying · Fair Value
Principal AmountIssuance CostsValueAmountLeveling
2025 Secured Term Loan$205,000$(312)$204,688$205,000Level 3

The outstanding principal amount of the 2025 Secured Term Loan approximated its fair value as of December 31, 2022 as the 2025 Secured Term Loan bore interest at a floating rate and was over-collateralized (the Company was required to maintain an LTV ratio of less than 50%). Additionally, the Company had approximately 82,991 unencumbered bitcoins that were available to be pledged as additional collateral at December 31, 2022.

No interest expense related to the 2025 Secured Term Loan was recognized after the debt was repaid in full during the first quarter of 2023. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, interest expense related to the 2025 Secured Term Loan was as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31, 2023 · Year Ended December 31, 2022
Contractual · Amortization of · Contractual · Amortization of
Interest ExpenseIssuance CostsTotalInterest ExpenseIssuance CostsTotal
2025 Secured Term Loan$3,781$31$3,812$9,006$103$9,109

The Company paid a final $5.1 million in interest related to the 2025 Secured Term Loan during the first quarter of 2023, $1.1 million of which was included in the Payoff Amount. The Company paid $7.7 million in interest related to the 2025 Secured Term Loan during the year ended December 31, 2022.

Other long-term secured debt

In June 2022, the Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a secured term loan agreement in the amount of $11.1 million, bearing interest at an annual rate of 5.2%, and maturing in June 2027. The loan is secured by certain non-bitcoin assets of the Company that are not otherwise serving as collateral for any of the Company’s other indebtedness. After monthly payments made under the terms of the agreement, the loan had a net carrying value of $10.2 million and $10.6 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and an outstanding principal balance of $10.3 million and $10.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, $0.5 million and $0.5 million of the respective net carrying values were short-term and presented in "Current portion of long-term debt, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Maturities

The following table shows the maturities of the Company’s debt instruments as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands). The principal payments related to the 2028 Secured Notes are included in the table below based on the First Springing Maturity Date of September 15, 2025, as if the springing maturity feature discussed above were triggered. As of December 31, 2023, the Company expects to be able to satisfy the requirements in the 2028 Secured Notes Indenture to avoid triggering the springing maturity feature of the 2028 Secured Notes.

Payments due by period ended December 31,2025 Convertible Notes2027 Convertible Notes2028 Secured NotesOther long-termsecured debtTotal
2024$0$0$0$539$539
2025650,0000500,0005701,150,570
2026000600600
202701,050,00008,6331,058,633
202800000
Thereafter00000
Total$650,000$1,050,000$500,000$10,342$2,210,342

(9) Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Commitments

From time to time, the Company enters into certain types of contracts that require it to indemnify parties against third-party claims. These contracts primarily relate to agreements under which the Company assumes indemnity obligations for intellectual property infringement, as well as other obligations from time to time depending on arrangements negotiated with customers and other third parties. The conditions of these obligations vary. Thus, the overall maximum amount of the Company’s indemnification obligations cannot be reasonably estimated. Historically, the Company has not been obligated to make significant payments for these obligations and does not currently expect to incur any material obligations in the future. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded an indemnification liability on its Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

The following table shows future minimum payments related to noncancelable purchase agreements with initial terms of greater than one year and anticipated payments related to the mandatory deemed repatriation transition tax resulting from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Transition Tax”) based on the expected due dates of the various installments as of December 31,2023 (in thousands):

YearPurchaseObligationsTransitionTax
2024$22,003$7,379
202531,6339,223
202657,1320
202725,0000
202800
Thereafter00
$135,768$16,602

(b) Contingencies

Brazil Matter

Following an internal review initiated in 2018, the Company believes that its Brazilian subsidiary failed or likely failed to comply with local procurement regulations in conducting business with certain Brazilian government entities.

On February 6, 2020, the Company learned that a Brazilian court authorized the Brazilian Federal Police to use certain investigative measures in its investigation into alleged corruption and procurement fraud involving certain government officials, pertaining to a particular transaction. The transaction at issue is part of the basis of the previously reported failure or likely failure of the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary to comply with local procurement regulations. The Company is not aware of any allegations that any former employee or the Company made any payments to Brazilian government officials. The Brazilian Federal Police expanded the investigation to include other possible cases of procurement fraud involving Brazilian government entities. Criminal penalties may be imposed against individuals; however, neither employees of the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary nor the subsidiary itself have been targets of the Federal Police investigation.

The Company has also learned that Brazil’s Federal Comptroller General filed an administrative action against the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary with respect to the alleged procurement violations. These matters remain the subject of investigation by Brazilian authorities. The Company is taking measures to attempt to resolve these matters.

On January 18, 2023, Brazil’s General Superintendence of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (“SG/CADE”) launched an administrative proceeding to investigate potentially anticompetitive conduct, naming various individuals and companies as defendants including the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary. The proceeding involves conduct relating to transactions with certain Brazilian public and private entities that is part of the basis of the foregoing failure or likely failure of the Brazilian subsidiary to comply with local procurement regulations. The proceeding was precipitated by the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary’s voluntary disclosure of information to SG/CADE that arose out of the internal review initiated in 2018, and the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary has secured a leniency agreement with SG/CADE. If at the end of the proceeding, CADE’s Tribunal confirms that the leniency agreement obligations have been fulfilled, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary will receive full immunity from fines.

The Company believes that a loss is probable in connection with these Brazilian matters. The Company has estimated a minimum loss of $1.2 millionin respect of these matters. Given the stage of these matters, as of December 31, 2023, the Company remains unable to reasonably estimate a range of loss beyond such minimum loss. The aggregate accrued amount for these matters is included as a component of “Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and operating lease liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023. No amounts were accrued as of December 31, 2022, as the minimum loss was not estimable at such date. The final outcome of these matters may result in a loss that is significantly greater than this accrued amount. Any loss associated with the final outcome of these matters may result in a material impact on the Company’s earnings and financial results for the period in which any such additional liabilityis accrued. However, the Company believes that any loss associated with the final outcome of these matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position.

Daedalus Matter

As previously reported, on November 4, 2020, a complaint was filed against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia by a patent assertion entity called Daedalus Blue, LLC (“Daedalus”). In its complaint, Daedalus alleges that the Company has infringed U.S. Patent Nos. 8,341,172 (the “’172 Patent”) and 9,032,076 (the “’076 Patent”) based on specific functionality in the MicroStrategy platform. The ’172 Patent relates to a method for providing aggregate data access in response to a query, whereas the ’076 Patent relates to a role-based access control system.

On January 5, 2024, Daedalus and the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) pursuant to which the parties agreed to settle the matter. Under the MOU, the Company received a fully paid-up license to all patents owned by Daedalus as of January 5, 2024, including the ’172 Patent and the ’076 Patent. The court cancelled the trial scheduled to begin on January 8, 2024 and suspended all case deadlines. On January 29, 2024, the parties executed a formal settlement agreement memorializing the terms set forth in the MOU and agreed to file a stipulation of dismissal with the court by February 27, 2024.

False Claims Act Matter

On August 31, 2022, the District of Columbia (the “District”), through its Office of the Attorney General, filed a civil complaint in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia naming as defendants (i) Michael J. Saylor, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and the Company’s Executive Chairman, in his personal capacity, and (ii) the Company. The District sought, among other relief, monetary damages under the District’s False Claims Act for the alleged failure of Mr. Saylor to pay personal income taxes to the District over a number of years together with penalties, interest, and treble damages. The complaint alleged that the amount of personal income taxes purportedly involved was more than $25 million. The complaint also alleged in the sole claim against the Company that it violated the District’s False Claims Act by conspiring to assist Mr. Saylor’s alleged failure to pay personal income taxes. On October 26, 2022, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the District’s complaint. On February 28, 2023, the court ruled on the motion to dismiss, dismissing the sole claim against the Company as well as a claim against Mr. Saylor alleging that Mr. Saylor violated the District’s False Claims Act. The court did not dismiss claims against Mr. Saylor alleging that Mr. Saylor failed to pay personal income taxes, interest and penalties due. On April 13, 2023, the District, through its Office of the Attorney General, filed a motion to amend its complaint to attempt to restore claims under the False Claims Act against both Mr. Saylor and the Company. On May 10, 2023, the court granted the District’s motion to amend its complaint, reinstating the Company as a defendant in the case. The amended complaint alleges that the Company violated the District’s False Claims Act by making and using false records and statements in the form of false withholding filings with the District Office of Tax and Revenue. The amended complaint also alleges that Mr. Saylor violated the District’s False Claims Act by making and using false records and statements and by causing the Company to make and use false records and statements. On June 7, 2023, Mr. Saylor and the Company filed a motion to dismiss the District’s amended complaint with prejudice. On July 5, 2023, the District filed an opposition to the motion to dismiss made by Mr. Saylor and the Company. On July 19, 2023, Mr. Saylor and the Company filed a reply in support of their motion to dismiss. On July 31, 2023, the court denied Mr. Saylor’s and the Company’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On August 22, 2023, the Company and Mr. Saylor filed a motion asking the court to reconsider its July 31 decision or, in the alternative, to certify for interlocutory review two case-dispositive issues relating to the validity of tax-related amendments to the District’s False Claims Act and authority of the Office of the Attorney General to sue for allegedly unpaid taxes. On October 31, 2023, the court denied Mr. Saylor’s and the Company’s motion for reconsideration or, in the alternative, certification for interlocutory review. The final outcome of this matter is not presently determinable.

Various Legal Proceedings and Contingent Liabilities

The Company is also involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. Although the outcomes of these legal proceedings are inherently difficult to predict, management does not expect the resolution of these legal proceedings to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

The Company has contingent liabilities that, in management’s judgment, are not probable of assertion. If such unasserted contingent liabilities were to be asserted, or become probable of assertion, the Company may be required to record significant expenses and liabilities in the period in which these liabilities are asserted or become probable of assertion.

(10) Income Taxes

U.S. and international components of (loss) income before income taxes (in thousands) were comprised of the following for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
U.S.$(157,810)$(1,362,230)$(854,610)
Foreign33,28539,76543,221
Total$(124,525)$(1,322,465)$(811,389)

The (benefit from) provision for income taxes (in thousands) consisted of the following for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
Current:
Federal$2,774$9,278$(4,622)
State3,3765,3622,184
Foreign9,1468,1395,533
$15,296$22,779$3,095
Deferred:
Federal$(374,800)$89,581$(204,784)
State(194,374)34,521(74,796)
Foreign232451576
$(568,942)$124,553$(279,004)
Total (benefit) provision$(553,646)$147,332$(275,909)

The benefit from or provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to the Company’s loss before income taxes as follows for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
Income tax expense at federal statutory rate21.0%21.0%21.0%
State taxes, net of federal tax effect8.4%7.3%9.1%
Other international components(3.4)%(0.1)%0.2%
Change in valuation allowance409.5%(38.6)%0.0%
Non-deductible officers compensation(5.5)%(0.3)%(1.0)%
Research and development tax credit2.7%0.1%0.8%
Share-based compensation3.4%(0.1)%4.0%
Rate changes, including states11.0%(0.3)%0.0%
Other permanent differences (1)(2.5)%(0.1)%(0.1)%
Effective income tax rate444.6%-11.1%34.0%

(1) Included in the “Other permanent differences” category in the table above are other permanent items, each below the threshold required for separate presentation in the table.

The Company’s U.S. and foreign effective tax rates for loss before income taxes were as follows for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
U.S.356.8%(10.2)%33.0%
Foreign28.2%21.6%14.1%
Combined444.6%(11.1)%34.0%

The change in the Company’s effective tax rate in 2023, as compared to 2022, was primarily due to (i) the release of the valuation allowance during 2023 on the Company’s deferred tax asset related to the impairment on its bitcoin holdings, attributable to the increase in the market value of bitcoin as of December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022, compared to (ii) the establishment of a valuation allowance during 2022 on the Company’s deferred tax asset related to the impairment on its bitcoin holdings, attributable to the decrease in market value of bitcoin as of December 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the Company’s U.S. entities was $10.5 million and $14.8 million, respectively, and by the Company’s non-U.S. entities was $36.3 million and $29.0 million, respectively. The Company earns a significant amount of its revenues outside the United States. The Company repatriated foreign earnings and profits of $20.3 million during 2023 and $44.7 million during 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has not indefinitely reinvested any of its undistributed foreign earnings and has recorded a deferred tax liability of $2.9 million on undistributed foreign earnings related to foreign withholding tax and U.S. state income taxes.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities (in thousands) were as follows for the periods indicated:

December 31,
20232022
Deferred tax assets, net:
Net operating loss carryforwards$727$723
Tax credit carryforwards1,8411,677
Intangible assets, including capitalized R&D57,41041,082
Deferred revenue1,48124,747
Accrued compensation5,8826,602
Share-based compensation expense30,34523,305
Digital asset impairment losses652,280607,659
Interest expense carryforward11,6271,239
Lease liability18,19714,861
Other4,6991,887
Deferred tax assets before valuation allowance784,489723,782
Valuation allowance(1,427)(511,412)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance783,062212,370
Deferred tax liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other3,6814,372
Property and equipment1,0621,786
Deferred tax on undistributed foreign earnings2,9232,231
Right of use asset18,18016,027
Total deferred tax liabilities25,84624,416
Total net deferred tax asset$757,216$187,954
Reported as:
Non-current deferred tax assets, net757,573188,152
Non-current deferred tax liabilities(357)(198)
Total net deferred tax asset$757,216$187,954

The Company hadno U.S. NOL carryforwards as of December 31,2023 and 2022. The Company had $3.0 million and $3.3 million of foreign NOL carryforwards as of December 31,2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the Company also had gross state NOLs of $10.1 million of which $9.1 million will expire by 2042 and the remainder can be carried forward indefinitely.

The Company’s valuation allowance of $1.4 million at December 31, 2023 primarily related to the Company’s deferred tax assets related to foreign tax credits in certain jurisdictions that, in the Company’s present estimation, more likely than not will not be realized. The Company’s valuation allowance of $511.4 million at December 31, 2022 primarily related to the Company’s deferred tax asset related to the impairment on its bitcoin holdings, and was based on the market value of bitcoin at December 31, 2022.

Valuation allowances have been established where the Company has concluded that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets are not realizable. The Company’s ability to realize its net deferred tax assets of $757.6 million as of December 31, 2023 is primarily dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income of the proper character in future years. Management has concluded that there is sufficient positive evidence to support the expected realization of these deferred tax assets primarily due to the fact that the excess of the market value of the Company’s bitcoin over the cost basis of the Company’s bitcoin as of December 31, 2023 results in a significant built-in gain for tax purposes and is therefore a source of future taxable income that is expected to allow all of the U.S. net deferred tax assets to be realized. As part of the assessment of the amount of the valuation allowance, management has asserted that it has the ability and intent to execute tax planning strategies if necessary, including selling bitcoin with a built-in gain.

After consideration of all available evidence, the Company has concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets, with the exception of certain foreign tax credits for which a valuation allowance has been established, will be realized. If the market value of bitcoin declines in future periods, the Company would need to assess other sources of forecasted taxable income of proper character, which could result in additional valuation allowances being recorded.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had income taxes receivable of $15.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, recorded in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had gross unrecognized income tax benefits of $8.3 million, including accrued interest, all of which was recorded in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The change in unrecognized income tax benefits (in thousands) is presented in the table below for the periods indicated:

202320222021
Unrecognized income tax benefits at beginning of year$5,811$5,960$4,293
Increase (decrease) related to positions taken in prior period1,458(67)1,082
Increase related to positions taken in current period9303181,146
Decrease related to settlement with tax authorities0(40)0
Decrease related to expiration of statute of limitations(301)(360)(561)
Unrecognized income tax benefits at end of year7,8985,8115,960
Accrued interest352276272
Gross unrecognized income tax benefits at end of year$8,250$6,087$6,232

If recognized, $8.0 million of the gross unrecognized income tax benefits as of December 31,2023 would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. Over the next 12 months, the amount of the Company’s liability for unrecognized income tax benefits shown above is not expected to change materially. The Company recognizes estimated accrued interest related to unrecognized income tax benefits in the (benefit from) provision for income taxes. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company released or recognized an immaterial amount of accrued interest. The amount of accumulated accrued interest related to the above unrecognized income tax benefits was approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million as of December 31,2023 and 2022, respectively.

The Company files tax returns in numerous foreign countries as well as the United States and its tax returns may be subject to audit by tax authorities in all countries in which it files. Each country has its own statute of limitations for making assessment of additional tax liabilities. The Company’s U.S. tax returns for tax years from 2019 and forward are subject to potential examination by the Internal Revenue Service. However, due to the Company’s use of state NOL carryovers in the United States, state tax authorities may attempt to reduce or fully offset the amount of state NOL carryovers from tax years ended 2011 and forward that the Company used in later tax years. The Company’s major foreign tax jurisdictions and the tax years that remain subject to potential examination are Italy for tax years 2017 and forward; Poland and China for tax years 2019 and forward; and Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom for tax years 2020 and forward. To date there have been no material audit assessments related to audits in the United States or any of the applicable foreign jurisdictions.

(11) Share-based Compensation

Stock Incentive Plans

On May 24, 2023, the Company’s stockholders approved the Company’s 2023 Equity Plan, which became effective as of such date. No awards may be granted under the 2023 Equity Plan more than 10 years after the 2023 Equity Plan’s effective date. No new awards will be granted under the Company’s 2013 Equity Plan, though awards previously granted under the 2013 Equity Plan remain outstanding in accordance with their terms. Under the Stock Incentive Plans, the Company’s employees, officers, directors, and other eligible participants may be (with respect to the 2023 Equity Plan) and have been (with respect to both the 2023 Equity Plan and the 2013 Equity Plan) awarded various types of share-based compensation, including options to purchase shares of the Company’s class A common stock, restricted stock units, and other stock-based awards. Additionally, under the 2023 Equity Plan, awards may be and have been granted that are subject to the achievement of one or more performance measures established by the Company’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof. Any shares issued under the Stock Incentive Plans may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.

An aggregate of up to 1,932,703 shares of the Company’s class A common stock were initially authorized for issuance under the 2023 Equity Plan, comprised of (i)200,000 shares of the Company’s class A common stock authorized under the 2023 Equity Plan and (ii) up to an aggregate of 1,732,703 sharesof the Company’s class A common stock consisting of: (a) the shares of class A common stock reserved for issuance under the 2013 Equity Plan that remained available for grant as of May 23, 2023, and (b) shares of class A common stock subject to awards granted under the 2013 Equity Plan that were outstanding as of May 23, 2023 and which subsequently expire, terminate or are otherwise surrendered, cancelled or forfeited or repurchased by the Company at their original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right, including shares subject to awards granted under the 2013 Equity Plan that are delivered (either by actual delivery, attestation or net exercise) to the Company by a participant to (x) purchase shares upon the exercise of such award or (y) satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to such awards, including shares retained from the award creating the tax obligation, subject, in the case of incentive stock options, to any limitations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As of December 31, 2023, there were 238,593 shares of class A common stock reserved and available for future issuance under the 2023 Equity Plan.

In determining related share-based compensation expense for any award under the Stock Incentive Plans, the Company has made an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures of awards as they occur and therefore share-based compensation expense presented below has not been adjusted for any estimated forfeitures.

Stock option awards

Stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plans must have an exercise price equal to at least the fair market value of the Company’s class A common stock on the date of grant, become exercisable as established by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, and expire no later than 10 years following the date of grant. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense associated with such stock option awards on a straight-line basis over the award’s requisite service period (generally, the vesting period). With the exception of stock option awards to non-employee members of the Company’s Board of Directors under the 2023 Equity Plan, which vest in full afterone year, the stock option awards granted to date vest in equal annual installments over an approximately four-year vesting period (unless accelerated in connection with a change in control event under specified conditions as set forth in the applicable option agreement or otherwise in accordance with provisions of the Stock Incentive Plans).

Share-based compensation expense related to stock option awards is based on the fair value of the stock option awards on the date of grant, as estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes valuation model requires the input of certain management assumptions, including the expected term, expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate, and expected dividend yield. The Company estimates the term over which option holders are expected to hold their stock options by using the simplified method for “plain-vanilla” stock option awards because the Company’s stock option exercise history does not provide a reasonable basis to compute the expected term for stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plans. During 2021, 2022 and 2023, as a result of the significant increase in the Company’s stock price volatility, the Company established estimates for the expected stock price volatility by calculating a blended rate from the historical stock price volatility of its class A common stock and the implied volatility of the Company’s traded financial instruments with similar terms to the respective award. For stock options granted prior to 2021, the Company relied exclusively on its historical stock price volatility using a simple average calculation method to estimate the expected stock price volatility over the expected term because the Company believed at the date of grant that future volatility was unlikely to differ from the past. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury securities with terms that approximate the expected term of the stock options. The expected dividend yield iszero, as the Company has not previously declared cash dividends and does not currently intend to declare cash dividends in the foreseeable future. These assumptions are based on management’s best judgment, and changes to these assumptions could materially affect the fair value estimates and amount of share-based compensation expense recognized.

As of December 31, 2023, there were options to purchase 1,293,627 shares of class A common stock outstanding under the Stock Incentive Plans. The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity (in thousands, except per share data and years) for the periods indicated:

Stock Options Outstanding
Weighted Average · Aggregate · Weighted Average
Exercise Price · Intrinsic · Remaining Contractual
SharesPer ShareValueTerm (Years)
Balance as of January 1, 20211,157$139.48
Granted305676.10
Exercised(269)151.19$163,427
Forfeited/Expired(26)499.11
Balance as of December 31, 20211,167268.74
Granted440346.15
Exercised(9)137.51$1,469
Forfeited/Expired(21)498.69
Balance as of December 31, 20221,577288.30
Granted37290.11
Exercised(175)173.83$36,636
Forfeited/Expired(145)441.50
Balance as of December 31, 20231,294$286.78
Exercisable as of December 31, 2023859$221.95$357,7493.4
Expected to vest as of December 31, 2023435$414.59100,6008.0
Total1,294$286.78$458,3495.0

Stock options outstanding as of December 31,2023 are comprised of the following range of exercise prices per share (in thousands, except per share data and years):

Weighted Average · Weighted Average
Exercise Price · Remaining Contractual
Range of Exercise Prices per ShareSharesPer ShareTerm (Years)
$121.43 - $200.00727$135.792.7
$200.01 - $300.00111$251.588.9
$300.01 - $400.003$301.639.4
$400.01 - $500.00247$410.268.1
$600.01 - $691.23206$691.237.1
Total1,294$286.785.0

An aggregate of 260,625,245,500, and 200,625 stock options with an aggregate grant date fair value of $51.6 million, $35.8 million, and $11.0 million vested during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

The weighted average grant date fair value of stock option awards using the Black-Scholes valuation model was $194.94, $201.64, and $372.05 for each share subject to a stock option granted during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, based on the following assumptions:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
Expected term of options in years5.5 - 6.36.36.3
Expected volatility70.6% - 74.1%58.4% - 75.5%56.8% - 59.0%
Risk-free interest rate3.7% - 4.4%1.9% - 3.9%0.8% - 1.1%
Expected dividend yield0.0%0.0%0.0%

The Company recognized approximately $44.8 million, $48.3 million, and $32.0 million in share-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, from stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plans. As of December 31, 2023, there was approximately $70.8 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average vesting period of approximately 2.0 years.

Share-settled restricted stock units

Share-settled restricted stock units granted under the Stock Incentive Plans entitle recipients to receive a number of shares of the Company’s class A common stock over a vesting period, as specified in the applicable restricted stock unit agreement. Although the Company may in its sole discretion elect to pay fully or partially in cash in lieu of settling solely in shares, it does not currently intend to do so.

Share-based compensation expense related to share-settled restricted stock units is based on the fair value of the Company’s class A common stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense associated with such share-settled restricted stock unit awards on a straight-line basis over the award’s requisite service period (generally, the vesting period). With the exception of share-settled restricted stock unit awards to non-employee members of the Company’s Board of Directors, which vest in full afterone year, the share-settled restricted stock unit awards granted to date vest in equal annual installments over afour-year period(unless accelerated in connection with a change in control event under specified conditions as set forth in the applicable restricted stock unit agreement or otherwise in accordance with provisions of the Stock Incentive Plan or applicable restricted stock unit agreement). Upon vesting of the share-settled restricted stock units, the Company covers the minimum tax withholding obligation in most jurisdictions by withholding shares with equivalent value based on the closing stock price on the vesting date. For these jurisdictions, the Company then pays the withholding tax obligation to the appropriate taxing authorities which is reflected as a financing activity on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

As of December 31, 2023, there were 185,153 share-settled restricted stock units outstanding under the Stock Incentive Plans. The following table summarizes the Company’s share-settled restricted stock unit activity (in thousands) for the periods indicated:

Share-Settled Restricted Stock Units Outstanding
Aggregate
UnitsIntrinsic Value
Balance as of January 1, 202174
Granted58
Vested(17)$13,803
Forfeited(10)
Balance as of December 31, 2021105
Granted60
Vested(28)$6,604
Forfeited(17)
Balance as of December 31, 2022120
Granted123
Vested(37)$14,817
Forfeited(21)
Balance as of December 31, 2023185
Expected to vest as of December 31, 2023185$116,946

During the year ended December 31, 2023,36,502 share-settled restricted stock units having an aggregate grant date fair value of $13.5 million vested, and 10,440 shares were withheld to satisfy tax obligations, resulting in 26,062 issued shares. During the year ended December 31, 2022,28,180 share-settled restricted stock units having an aggregate grant date fair value of $12.3 million vested, and 9,467 shares were withheld to satisfy tax obligations, resulting in 18,713 issued shares. During the year ended December 31, 2021,17,004 share-settled restricted stock units having an aggregate grant date fair value of $3.3 million vested, and 5,857 shares were withheld to satisfy tax obligations, resulting in 11,147 issued shares. The weighted average grant date fair value of share-settled restricted stock units granted during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $292.83, $246.17 and $736.46, respectively, based on the fair value of the Company’s class A common stock. The Company recognized approximately $17.4 million, $13.4 million, and $8.0 million in share-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, from share-settled restricted stock units granted under the Stock Incentive Plans. As of December 31, 2023, there was approximately $49.4 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested share-settled restricted stock units, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average vesting period of approximately 2.8 years.

Share-settled performance stock units

During the second quarter of 2023, the Company granted performance stock units under the 2023 Equity Plan. Performance stock units entitle recipients to receive a number of shares of the Company’s class A common stock at a specified date in the future based on achievement of one or more performance measures, as specified in the applicable performance stock unit agreement. Although the Company may in its sole discretion elect to pay fully or partially in cash in lieu of settling solely in shares, it does not currently intend to do so.

The vesting of each performance stock unit granted is subject to the Company’s achievement of a relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance goal over a three-year performance period with the number of performance stock units granted representing the number of performance stock units that would vest based on target performance. As more fully specified in the applicable grant agreements, the number of performance stock units that will vest will be based on the percentile ranking of the Company’s TSR over the three-year performance period as compared to the TSR of the members of the Nasdaq Composite Index over the same period (the “TSR Goal”), with the payout factor ranging from 0% to 200% of the number of performance stock units granted. The performance stock units, to the extent vested, will vest on the date the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors certifies the level of achievement of the TSR Goal.

Vesting of the performance stock units is also generally subject to the provision of service through the vesting date of the award (unless accelerated in connection with a termination following a change in control event as set forth in the applicable performance stock unit agreement or otherwise in accordance with provisions of the 2023 Equity Plan or applicable performance stock unit agreement).

The TSR Goal is considered a “market condition” under ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the grant date fair value of performance awards with a market condition. The Monte Carlo simulation takes into consideration the assumptions noted below, in addition to the probability that the market condition will be achieved based on predicted stock price paths compared to peer companies in the Nasdaq Composite Index. The Company did not grant any performance awards prior to 2023. The weighted average grant date fair value of performance stock units using the Monte-Carlo simulation model was $486.18 for each performance stock unit granted during the year ended December 31, 2023 based on the following assumptions:

Year ending December 31,
Expected term of awards in years3.0
Expected volatility95.6%
Risk-free interest rate4.1%
Expected dividend yield0.0%

Since the Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur, as long as the performance stock unit recipient provides service to the Company during the requisite service period, share-based compensation expense associated with the grant date fair value of the performance stock units is recognized ratably over the performance period, regardless of the Company’s actual level of achievement against the TSR Goal.

As of December 31,2023, there were 25,375 performance stock units outstanding under the 2023 Equity Plan. The following table summarizes the Company’s performance stock unit activity (in thousands) for the period indicated:

Share-Settled Performance Stock Units Outstanding
Aggregate
UnitsIntrinsic Value
Balance as of January 1, 20230
Granted27
Vested0$0
Forfeited(2)
Balance as of December 31, 202325
Expected to vest as of December 31, 202325$32,055

No performance stock units vested during the year ended December 31,2023. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized approximately $2.3 million in share-based compensation expense from performance stock units granted under the 2023 Equity Plan. As of December 31, 2023, there was approximately $10.0 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested performance stock units, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average vesting period of approximately 2.5 years.

Other stock-based awards and cash-settled restricted stock units

During 2021, the Company granted 9,000 “other stock-based awards” under the 2013 Equity Plan. Other stock-based awards werenot granted in 2023 or 2022. As of December 31,2023, there were a total of 10,250 other stock-based awards outstanding under the 2013 Equity Plan. These other stock-based awards are similar to stock options, except these awards are settled in cash only and not in shares of the Company’s class A common stock.

During 2021, the Company granted 900 cash-settled restricted stock units under the 2013 Equity Plan. Cash-settled restricted stock units werenot granted in 2023 or 2022. As of December 31,2023, there were a total of 250 cash-settled restricted stock units outstanding under the 2013 Equity Plan. These cash-settled restricted stock units are similar to the Company’s share-settled restricted stock units, except they are settled in cash only and not in shares of the Company’s class A common stock.

Both the other stock-based awards and the cash-settled restricted stock units are classified as liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets due to the required cash settlement feature and the fair value of the awards is remeasured each quarterly reporting period. The Company recognized approximately $3.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in share-based compensation expense from other stock-based awards and cash-settled restricted stock units for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized a reduction of approximately $0.5 million in share-based compensation expense from other stock-based awards and cash-settled restricted stock units. As of December 31,2023, there was approximately $1.2 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to other stock-based awards and cash-settled restricted stock units, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average vesting period of approximately 1.1 years, subject to additional fair value adjustments through the earlier of settlement or expiration.

2021 ESPP

In 2021, the Company adopted, and the Company’s stockholders approved, the 2021 ESPP. The purpose of the 2021 ESPP is to provide eligible employees of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries with opportunities to purchase shares of the Company’s class A common stock, commencing at such time and on such dates as the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine. The first offering period under the 2021 ESPP commenced on February 16, 2021 and ended on August 15, 2021. After this first offering period, the Board of Directors of the Company determined to provide subsequent 6-month offering periods commencing on each March 1 and September 1 for the remaining term of the 2021 ESPP. An aggregate of 100,000 shares of the Company’s class A common stock has been authorized for issuance under the 2021 ESPP. During the years ended December 31,2023, 2022, and 2021,19,856 shares,15,925 shares, and 4,612 shares, respectively, of class A common stock were issued in connection with the 2021 ESPP. As of December 31, 2023,59,607 shares of the Company’s class A common stock remained available for issuance under the 2021 ESPP.

Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, shares are purchased at a price equal to 85% of the lesser of the closing price of the Company’s class A common stock on the first or last business day of the offering period, respectively. Share-based compensation expense is based on the grant date fair value, which consists ofthe intrinsic value of the 15% discounted share purchase rights and the fair value of the look-back provision using the Black-Scholes valuation model, recognized on a straight-line basis over the offering period. The grant date is the offering period commencement date.

During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company recognized approximately $1.9 million, $2.4 million and $2.6 million, respectively, in share-based compensation expense related to the 2021 ESPP. As of December 31, 2023, there was approximately $0.3 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to the 2021 ESPP, which the Company expects to recognize over a period of approximately 0.2 years.

Tax Benefits Related to Equity Plans

The following table summarizes the tax (benefit) expense related to the Company’s equity plans (in thousands) for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
Tax (benefit) expense related to:
Share-based compensation expense$(12,874)$(12,155)$(8,260)
Exercises of stock options and vesting of share-settled restricted stock units(3,367)1,370(37,664)
Total tax benefit related to the Company's equity plans$(16,241)$(10,785)$(45,924)

(12) Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share data) for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
Numerator:
Net income (loss) - Basic$429,121$(1,469,797)$(535,480)
Effect of dilutive shares on net income (loss):
Interest expense on 2025 Convertible Notes, net of tax5,64800
Interest expense on 2027 Convertible Notes, net of tax2,87400
Net income (loss) - Diluted$437,643$(1,469,797)$(535,480)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares of class A common stock11,7079,3578,056
Weighted average common shares of class B common stock1,9641,9641,964
Total weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - Basic13,67111,32110,020
Effect of dilutive shares on weighted average common shares outstanding:
Stock options46100
Restricted stock units5400
Performance stock units1300
Employee stock purchase plan100
2025 Convertible Notes1,63300
2027 Convertible Notes73300
Total weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - Diluted16,56611,32110,020
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share (1)$31.39$(129.83)$(53.44)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (1)$26.42$(129.83)$(53.44)

(1)Basic and fully diluted earnings (loss) per share for class A and class B common stock are the same.

The following weighted average shares of potential class A common stock were excluded from the diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation because their impact would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
Stock options5901,4621,233
Restricted stock units3011995
Performance stock units000
Employee stock purchase plan562
2025 Convertible Notes01,6331,633
2027 Convertible Notes0733635
Total6253,9533,598

(13) At-the-Market Equity Offerings

During 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company entered into sales agreements with agents pursuant to which the Company could issue and sell shares of its class A common stock through at-the-market equity offering programs. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company agreed to pay the sales agents commissions for their services in acting as agents with respect to the sale of shares through the at-the-market equity offering programs and also agreed to provide the sales agents with reimbursement for certain incurred expenses and customary indemnification and contribution rights. The following table summarizes the terms and provisions of each sales agreement, and sales activity pursuant to each at-the-market equity offering program that was active during 2023, 2022, or 2021. The maximum aggregate offering price and net proceeds (less sales commissions and expenses) for each at-the-market equity offering program in the following table are reported in thousands.

November 2023 Sales AgreementAugust 2023 Sales AgreementMay 2023 Sales Agreement2022 Sales Agreement2021 Sales Agreement
Agreement effective dateNovember 30, 2023August 1, 2023May 1, 2023September 9, 2022June 14, 2021
Sales agentsCowen and Company, LLC, Canaccord Genuity LLC, and BTIG, LLC ("November 2023 Sales Agents")Cowen and Company, LLC, Canaccord Genuity LLC, and Berenberg Capital Markets LLC ("August 2023 Sales Agents")Cowen and Company, LLC and Canaccord Genuity LLC ("May 2023 Sales Agents")Cowen and Company, LLC and BTIG, LLC ("2022 Sales Agents")Jefferies, LLC ("2021 Sales Agents")
Maximum aggregate offering price$750,000$750,000$625,000$500,000$1,000,000
Maximum commissions payable to sales agents on gross proceeds from the sale of shares2.0%2.0%2.0%2.0%2.0%
Date terminatedn/aNovember 29, 2023August 1, 2023May 1, 2023December 28, 2021
Shares sold under such sales agreement during the year ended:
December 31, 20231,076,9151,592,9501,079,1701,348,855n/a
December 31, 2022n/an/an/a218,575n/a
December 31, 2021n/an/an/an/a1,413,767
Net proceeds received from shares sold under such sales agreement during the year ended:
December 31, 2023$609,873$737,760$333,494$338,962n/a
December 31, 2022n/an/an/a$46,219n/a
December 31, 2021n/an/an/an/a$990,463
As of December 31, 2023:
Cumulative shares sold under such sales agreement1,076,9151,592,9501,079,1701,567,4301,413,767
Cumulative net proceeds received from shares sold under such sales agreement$609,873$737,760$333,494$385,181$990,463
Maximum aggregate offering price remaining under such sales agreement$137,765n/an/an/an/a

The sales commissions and expenses related to each of the above at-the-market equity offering programs are considered direct and incremental costs and are charged against “Additional paid-in capital” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in the period in which the corresponding shares are issued and sold.

(14) Treasury Stock

The Board of Directors previously authorized the Company’s repurchase of up to an aggregate of $800.0 million of its class A common stock from time to time on the open market through April 29, 2023 under the Share Repurchase Program. The Share Repurchase Program expired by its own terms on April 29, 2023, andno shares of the Company’s class A common stock remain available for repurchase under the Share Repurchase Program. At the time of expiration, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 5,674,226 shares of its class A common stock at an average price per share of $104.13 and an aggregate cost of $590.9 million pursuant to the Share Repurchase Program. The average price per share and aggregate cost amounts disclosed above include broker commissions. During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company didnot repurchase any shares of its class A common stock pursuant to the Share Repurchase Program.

(15) Employee Benefit Plan

The Company sponsors a benefit plan to provide retirement benefits for its employees, known as the MicroStrategy 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). Participants may make voluntary contributions to the 401(k) Plan of up to 75% (and prior to September 30, 2022, up to 50%) of their annual base pre-tax compensation, cash bonuses, and commissions not to exceed the federally determined maximum allowable contribution amounts. Participants may designate all or a portion of the 401(k) Plan elective deferral contributions as Roth elective deferral contributions instead of pre-tax elective deferral contributions. The 401(k) Plan permits for discretionary Company contributions.

The Company makes a matching contribution to each 401(k) Plan participant in the amount of 50% of the first 12% of a participant’s contributions, up to a maximum of $5,000 per year. Further, all active participants become fully vested in the Company’s matching contributions after completing four years of employment, vesting in 25% increments at the end of each year of employment with the Company.

The Company made contributions to the 401(k) Plan totaling $2.8 million, $3.1 million, and $2.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

(16) Segment Information

The Company manages its business inone reportable operating segment. The Company’s one reportable operating segment is engaged in the design, development, marketing, and sales of its software platform through licensing arrangements and cloud subscriptions and related services. The following table presents total revenues, gross profit, and long-lived assets (in thousands) according to geographic region. Long-lived assets are comprised of right-of-use assets and property and equipment, net.

Geographic regions:U.S.EMEAOther RegionsConsolidated
Total revenues$284,174$155,914$56,173$496,261
Gross profit$222,952$123,510$39,855$386,317
Total revenues$294,697$152,614$51,953$499,264
Gross profit$240,048$120,162$36,065$396,275
Total revenues$282,444$171,140$57,178$510,762
Gross profit$236,646$139,704$42,503$418,853
Long-lived assets$75,004$3,937$7,343$86,284
Long-lived assets$83,279$6,466$3,865$93,610

The EMEA region includes operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The other regions include all other foreign countries, generally comprising Latin America, the Asia Pacific region, and Canada. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, no individual foreign country accounted for 10% or more of total consolidated revenues.

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, no individual customer accounted for 10% or more of total consolidated revenues.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, no individual foreign country accounted for 10% or more of total consolidated assets.

(17) Related Party Transactions

In June 2021, Michael J. Saylor, the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Chairman and, at that time, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, entered into an indemnification agreement (the “Original Agreement”) with the Company for an initial term of 90 days and subject to successive 90-day term extensions at the election of the Company, all of such term extensions were exercised. Pursuant to the Original Agreement, Mr. Saylor provided during the term of the agreement, from his personal funds, indemnity coverage to the Company for the benefit of the directors and officers (“D&Os”) of the Company and its subsidiaries in the event such coverage was not indemnifiable by the Company, up to a total of $40 million. In return, the Company paid Mr. Saylor $388,945 for each of the initial and successive 90-day terms.

On June 12, 2022, Mr. Saylor and the Company entered into a renewed indemnification agreement (the “Renewed Agreement”) for an initial term of 90 days, which became effective upon the expiration of the final 90-day extension of the Original Agreement. In return, the Company paid Mr. Saylor a one-time fee of $388,945 for the initial 90-day term (the “Renewal Payment”).

On June 24, 2022, the Company bound D&O liability insurance policies (the “Initial Commercial Policies”) with several third-party carriers for $30 million in coverage. Concurrently, Mr. Saylor and the Company also entered into (i) an indemnification agreement (the “Excess Agreement”) for Mr. Saylor to provide $10 million in excess indemnity coverage payable only after the exhaustion of the Initial Commercial Policies, and (ii) an indemnification agreement (the “2022 Tail Agreement”) for Mr. Saylor to provide $40 million in indemnity coverage for claims made at any time based on actions or omissions occurring prior to the inception date of the Initial Commercial Policies. The Company paid Mr. Saylor $600,000 for a one-year term under the Excess Agreement, and$150,000 for a 90-day term under the 2022 Tail Agreement. At the option of the Company, the Company was permitted to extend the term under the 2022 Tail Agreement for up to a total of twenty-three additional 90-day periods, for $150,000 per additional 90-day term. In connection with the execution of the Initial Commercial Policies and the release of his obligations under the Renewed Agreement, Mr. Saylor refunded the Company $337,086, which was the pro rata portion of the Renewal Payment attributable to the period from the date of the Initial Commercial Policies through the end of the original term of the Renewed Agreement.

On August 30, 2022, the Company bound additional D&O liability insurance policies (the “Excess Commercial Policies”) with third-party carriers for $10 million in excess coverage payable only after the exhaustion of the Initial Commercial Policies. Effective as of the same date, the Company and Mr. Saylor executed an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Excess Agreement to limit Mr. Saylor’s obligation to provide indemnification under the Excess Agreement to claims made during the term of the Excess Agreement which arise from wrongful acts occurring upon or after the commencement of the Excess Agreement but prior to the effective date of the Amendment. In connection with the Amendment, Mr. Saylor refunded $489,863 to the Company, representing the pro rata portion of the $600,000 originally paid by the Company to Mr. Saylor under the Excess Agreement attributable to the period from the date of the Amendment through the end of the original term of the Excess Agreement. During the third and fourth quarters of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, pursuant to the terms of the 2022 Tail Agreement, the Company elected to extend the term of the 2022 Tail Agreement for additional 90-day periods and paid Mr. Saylor $150,000 for each such extension.

On June 12, 2023, the Company bound new D&O liability insurance policies (the “2023 Commercial Policies”) with third-party carriers that provide coverage substantially equivalent to the aggregate coverage provided under the Initial Commercial Policies and the Excess Commercial Policies for a policy period running from June 12, 2023 through June 12, 2024 except that the 2023 Commercial Policies also provide coverage for claims made with respect to wrongful acts or omissions occurring prior to the binding of the Initial Commercial Policies subject to exclusions with respect to claims previously noticed to and accepted by an earlier D&O insurer, claims related to acts or omissions giving rise to such claims, and demands, investigations, suits or other proceedings entered against an insured prior to June 24, 2022, as well as future interrelated wrongful acts (collectively, the “Excluded Claims”).

On June 12, 2023, the Company entered into a new indemnification agreement with Mr. Saylor (the “2023 Tail Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Saylor agreed to provide coverage that is similar to the coverage provided under the 2022 Tail Agreement, but only to cover the Excluded Claims for an initial one-year term and for a payment of $157,000. The Company may elect, at its option, to extend the term under the 2023 Tail Agreement for up to a total offour additionalone-year periods, for $157,000 per each additional one-year term.

Prior to entering into the Original Agreement, Renewed Agreement, Excess Agreement, 2022 Tail Agreement, and 2023 Tail Agreement with Mr. Saylor, the Company obtained and considered market quotes for D&O liability insurance policies. The Company determined that the policies considered at such times would have provided insufficient coverage and would have required substantial premiums to the extent coverage were available, and that obtaining indemnification coverage provided by Mr. Saylor was appropriate and in the best interests of the Company.

(18) Subsequent Events

Since December 31, 2023 through the date immediately preceding the filing of this Annual Report, the Company has purchased approximately 850 bitcoins for $37.2 million, or approximately $43,723 per bitcoin. All of these approximately 850 bitcoins serve as part of the collateral for the 2028 Secured Notes.

The Company has incurred at least $28.9 million in digital asset impairment losses during the first quarter of 2024 on bitcoin held as of December 31, 2023.

See Note 2(g), Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, and Note 4, Digital Assets, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further detail on accounting for digital assets.

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