Market Update for September 8, 2026: Strategy Pauses Bitcoin Purchases, Repurchases $176.3 Million of STRC; S&P 500 Short Interest at Decade High

As of September 8, 2026, Strategy repurchased 1.8 million STRC preferred shares between August 31 and September 7, totaling $176.3 million, and expanded its digital credit securities repurchase program to $2 billion; during the same period it did not add any Bitcoin purchases. Its latest disclosed holdings are 845,050 Bitcoin, with an average purchase price of $75,412. Among S&P 500 constituents, median short interest as a percentage of market cap rose to 3.2%, the highest in a decade; August nonfarm payrolls added 162,000, far exceeding expectations, and traders raised the probability of a 25 basis point rate hike at the Fed's September 15-16 meeting to about 57%. On that day, Bitcoin was around $78,524, down 0.72% intraday, and the S&P 500 closed at 7,689.80, down 0.37%.

Strategy pauses Bitcoin purchases and repurchases STRC preferred stock

According to a Cointelegraph report on September 8, 2026, Strategy repurchased 1.8 million STRC preferred shares between August 31 and September 7, totaling $176.3 million, and expanded the digital credit securities repurchase program to $2 billion; during the same period it did not add any Bitcoin purchases. The repurchase announcement came from Strategy official. The OKX Radar editorial team provides independent information compilation only and does not constitute investment advice.

What are the repurchase scale, period, and funding sources?

The repurchase period was from August 31 to September 7, with a total of 1.8 million STRC preferred shares repurchased for $176.3 million. The funding sources were not disclosed in detail in third-party reports, but Strategy's simultaneous expansion of the repurchase program suggests that its preferred stock repurchase facility still has capacity. For precise funding sources, consult official Strategy announcements.

What is the impact of expanding the digital credit securities repurchase program to $2 billion?

Expanding the repurchase program from its original size to $2 billion means that Strategy's repurchase authorization cap for STRC preferred stock has increased, which may improve preferred stock liquidity or shareholder returns. However, this figure comes solely from Cointelegraph reporting and has not been independently audited.

Strategy's current Bitcoin holdings and cost basis

As of September 8, Strategy holds 845,050 Bitcoin, with total acquisition cost of $63.6 billion and average purchase price of $75,412. Bitcoin price that day was about $78,524, about 4.1% above the average cost, but down 0.72% intraday. Data comes from Cointelegraph and should be cross-verified with on-chain or public filings.

What is the valuation of 845,050 Bitcoin at current prices?

At about $78,524 that day, the holding market value is approximately $66.38 billion ($78,524 × 845,050). This valuation is calculated by the editor based on disclosed figures and is for reference only, not an official figure.

What does the average purchase price of $75,412 mean for Strategy?

The current price is above the average cost, meaning Strategy's holdings have unrealized gains on a mark-to-market basis, but the intraday decline of 0.72% narrowed those gains. The average purchase price figure comes from Cointelegraph reporting and has not been independently audited.

S&P 500 short interest rises to decade high

According to a Yahoo Finance article on September 7, 2026, as of September 7, median short interest as a percentage of market cap among S&P 500 constituents rose to 3.2%, the highest in a decade; the 90th percentile of the most-shorted stocks had short interest of 8%. This data reflects cautious sentiment toward some individual stocks but should not be simply viewed as a bearish signal for the broader market.

What do median short interest of 3.2% and 90th percentile of 8% mean?

Median short interest of 3.2% means half of S&P 500 constituents have short interest no higher than 3.2% of market cap; 90th percentile of 8% means the top 10% most-shorted stocks have short interest reaching 8%. This is a statistical distribution used to measure concentration of short pressure.

Is rising short interest a bearish signal or hedging behavior?

Rising short interest may indicate that investors are bearish on certain stocks, or it may be hedging portfolio risk. This indicator alone cannot determine market direction; it must be combined with prices, volatility, and fundamentals. This article only relays data and does not make market predictions.

Cross-impact of nonfarm payrolls, oil prices, and Fed rate hike probability

According to a Decrypt report on September 8, 2026, the U.S. August nonfarm payrolls report added 162,000 jobs, far exceeding the expected 53,000, with unemployment rate at 4.1%; traders raised the probability of a 25 basis point rate hike at the Fed's September 15-16 meeting to about 57%. Meanwhile, U.S.-Iran conflict in the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices higher, approaching $100 per barrel.

Why did 162,000 new jobs push up rate hike probability?

Strong employment data strengthens the case for the Fed to continue raising rates, because the labor market has not cooled significantly and inflationary pressures may persist. Traders therefore increased pricing for a rate hike at the September meeting to about 57%.

What impact does oil approaching $100 have on risk assets?

Rising oil prices increase production costs and inflation expectations, which may give the Fed more reason to maintain tightening, creating valuation pressure on risk assets like stocks and Bitcoin. On September 8, the S&P 500 fell 0.37% and Bitcoin fell 0.72%, but the specific causal relationship requires longer time to verify.

Related reading: OKX Radar US stocks daily observation: S&P 500 and Microsoft: Fed Chair Warsh's hawkish tone pushes up September rate hike probability, Microsoft expected to raise dividend for 24th consecutive year; Fed pause expectations vs. strong jobs report: Bitcoin briefly broke $80,000 before losing it, SEC approves WisdomTree options; Bitcoin holds $81,000: September 3 ETF flows and FHFA crypto mortgage interpretation.