New Appointment and Big Bitcoin Goals Spark Optimism Among Semler Scientific Investors

Semler Scientific (SMLR) shares surged 14% on Friday, defying a broader crypto market slump, after the company unveiled bold plans to boost its Bitcoin holdings and announced a significant addition to its leadership team.

On Thursday evening, Semler disclosed that Joe Burnett has joined as the firm’s new Director of Bitcoin Strategy. Alongside this leadership shift, the company revealed aggressive goals to expand its Bitcoin treasury—from 4,449 BTC currently (worth approximately $462 million) to 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025, 42,000 BTC by the end of 2026, and an ambitious 105,000 BTC by the close of 2027.

“We are excited to have Joe join our Bitcoin strategy team and help drive our three-year plan to own 105,000 Bitcoins,” said Chairman Eric Semler. “Joe is an analytical thought leader on Bitcoin and Bitcoin treasury companies. His expertise will be instrumental as we pursue our Bitcoin treasury strategy and aim to deliver long-term value to our stockholders.”

Burnett is well-known in crypto circles for his outspoken support of Bitcoin as “the world’s most advanced form of monetary technology.” Before joining Semler, he was Director of Market Research at Unchained, a Bitcoin-centric financial services company.

Investors welcomed the move, sending Semler’s shares sharply higher even as Bitcoin prices dipped below $104,000, dragging other crypto-related stocks lower.

Despite the rally, Semler’s stock remains down around 33% year-to-date and more than 50% off its 2025 highs above $80. That steep decline has left Semler’s market capitalization hovering close to—or sometimes beneath—the value of its current Bitcoin reserves, which could restrict its ability to fund further purchases through traditional share offerings.

To finance its ambitious Bitcoin accumulation targets, Semler may look toward alternative funding options, including potentially tapping the preferred share market, following the model pioneered by MicroStrategy.