Strive–Semler Scientific Crypto Merger Faces Shareholder Resistance

In a move that was expected to accelerate both companies’ ambitions in the digital asset space, Strive Asset Management and Semler Scientific announced a proposed merger aimed at combining their financial and blockchain expertise. However, what seemed like a strategic alignment has quickly turned controversial, as shareholders from both sides are voicing strong opposition.

⚡ The Merger Plan

The merger proposal, unveiled earlier this month, seeks to integrate Strive’s crypto-focused investment strategies with Semler Scientific’s newly acquired Bitcoin holdings and blockchain infrastructure. According to insiders, the goal is to create a hybrid entity capable of leveraging traditional finance tools with on-chain asset management.

Strive’s management described the deal as a “transformative partnership” designed to “position both companies at the forefront of financial decentralization.”

However, that vision is now being challenged.

🧨 Shareholder Backlash

Several large investors have publicly criticized the merger, claiming that the plan was rushed and lacked proper due diligence. Some Semler shareholders argue that the firm’s core medical technology business could be undermined by an abrupt shift toward crypto investments.

“We invested in a healthcare innovation company, not a crypto hedge fund,” one shareholder commented in a recent investor forum.

On Strive’s side, skeptics worry about exposure to regulatory risk and market volatility, especially amid renewed SEC scrutiny of crypto-linked financial products.

💰 Bitcoin and Corporate Strategy

Semler Scientific made headlines earlier this year when it added Bitcoin to its balance sheet, following a similar strategy to MicroStrategy. The move was initially praised as bold and visionary, but with this merger proposal, some investors now view it as a potential distraction from its profitable medical diagnostics business.

Analysts suggest that the crypto pivot could split investor sentiment, with some embracing innovation and others demanding focus on fundamentals.

🔍 What’s Next?

Both companies are expected to hold shareholder votes in the coming weeks. If approved, the new entity could mark one of the most notable cross-sector mergers between traditional health tech and crypto finance.

However, with mounting resistance and questions over governance and valuation, the deal’s future remains uncertain.