425: Strive Appoints Bitcoin Strategist Ben Werkman as CIO

Strive, Inc. announced the appointment of recognized Bitcoin advocate Ben Werkman as Chief Investment Officer, signaling a strengthened focus on its Bitcoin strategy and digital credit initiatives.

Summary

• Strive, Inc. appointed Ben Werkman as Chief Investment Officer (CIO), effective October 5, 2025.
• Mr. Werkman resigned from the Board of Directors and its Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees to assume the full-time CIO role and become a board observer.
• His resignation was not due to any disagreement with the Company or the Board.
• James Lavish, Mahesh Ramakrishnan, and Jonathan Macey were appointed to fill the resulting committee vacancies.
• The Board size was reduced to ten directors, effective October 5, 2025.
• Mr. Werkman brings deep expertise in corporate Bitcoin strategy, institutional finance, treasury strategy, capital allocation, equity and derivatives trading, and risk management.
• Strive Asset Management, LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary, manages over $2 billion in assets since launching its first ETF in August 2022.
• The company aims to increase Bitcoin per share for common equity shareholders and outperform Bitcoin over the long run.

Sentiment

Score: 8

Explanation: The appointment of a highly qualified and recognized expert in Bitcoin strategy as CIO is a significant positive development, reinforcing the company's strategic direction and potentially enhancing its ability to achieve its stated goals of increasing Bitcoin per share and outperforming Bitcoin.

Positives

• Appointment of a highly experienced Chief Investment Officer, Ben Werkman, with a strong background in Bitcoin strategy and institutional finance.
• Mr. Werkman's expertise is expected to advance Strive's Bitcoin initiatives, capital deployment, and risk management frameworks.
• The move reinforces Strive's commitment to its core strategy of increasing Bitcoin per share and outperforming Bitcoin.
• Strive Asset Management, LLC manages over $2 billion in assets, indicating significant operational scale and market presence.

Negatives

• No specific negative information was disclosed.

Risks

• Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results.
• Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially are detailed in Strive's most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents subsequently filed with the SEC.

Future Outlook

Strive aims to increase Bitcoin per share for common equity shareholders and outperform Bitcoin over the long run, leveraging the expertise of its new Chief Investment Officer to lead in strategic decision-making and communications in the emerging digital credit frontier.

Management Comments

• "I'm thrilled to join Strive at this pivotal moment in Bitcoin's history where digital credit is emerging as the next frontier of corporate finance. Strive has the vision, the capital structure, and the expertise to be a leader in this transition, and I'm excited to help advance our mission forward." (Ben Werkman, CIO)
• "Bringing Ben onboard full time at Strive as our Chief Investment Officer is a large talent boost to our already strong Bitcoin treasury team. I'm confident in our team's ability to lead in strategic decision making and communications for the years to come in pursuit of our goal to increase Bitcoin per share for common equity shareholders and outperform Bitcoin over the long run." (Matt Cole, CEO)

Industry Context

The appointment of a dedicated Chief Investment Officer with deep Bitcoin expertise highlights the growing institutionalization and strategic focus on digital assets within the financial sector. Strive's emphasis on 'digital credit' as the 'next frontier of corporate finance' positions it at the forefront of evolving treasury management practices, aligning with broader trends of companies exploring Bitcoin as a treasury asset and a strategic investment.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Mr. Werkman's previous role as CIO at Swan Bitcoin involved capital-raising and implementing a treasury services partnership with Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS), a public Bitcoin treasury company. This suggests Strive is aiming for similar strategic partnerships and capital allocation models within the Bitcoin treasury space.
• Strive's stated goal to increase Bitcoin per share and outperform Bitcoin over the long run positions it in comparison to other public companies with significant Bitcoin treasury holdings, such as MicroStrategy, which has a well-known Bitcoin acquisition strategy.

Management Changes

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Potential positive impact due to enhanced strategic leadership in Bitcoin investments, aiming to increase Bitcoin per share and outperform Bitcoin, which could lead to increased shareholder value.
• Employees: Strengthens the executive team and Bitcoin treasury team, potentially fostering a more focused and expert-driven work environment.
• Customers: Strive Asset Management's clients may benefit from a more focused and expert investment strategy in digital assets, potentially leading to improved fund performance.

Next Steps

• Mr. Werkman will oversee Strive's investment strategy, focusing on capital deployment, risk management frameworks, and advancing Bitcoin initiatives.
• Strive will continue its pursuit of increasing Bitcoin per share for common equity shareholders and outperforming Bitcoin over the long run.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The appointment of Ben Werkman as Chief Investment Officer, a recognized Bitcoin advocate with a proven track record in corporate Bitcoin strategy and institutional finance, is a strong positive signal. This move significantly enhances Strive's strategic capabilities in its core mission to increase Bitcoin per share and outperform Bitcoin. His expertise in capital allocation, risk management, and advancing Bitcoin initiatives positions the company for potential growth in the evolving digital credit landscape. This strategic talent acquisition, coupled with the company's existing $2 billion AUM, suggests a strengthened outlook for Strive's long-term performance in the digital asset space.

Keywords

Strive Inc., ASST, Bitcoin, Chief Investment Officer, CIO, Ben Werkman, Digital Credit, Asset Management, Corporate Strategy, Treasury Strategy, Risk Management, Corporate Governance