FnF News
FNF News | Digital Economy & Corporate Power
Published: June 20, 2025
By: Khadija Khan, Senior Financial Correspondent
Semler Scientific Bets Big on Bitcoin: Targets 105,000 BTC by 2027, Names Joe Burnett as Director of Bitcoin Strategy
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA — In a decisive shift that blends medical technology with financial innovation, Semler Scientific Inc. (NASDAQ: SMLR) has announced its goal to acquire 105,000 Bitcoin (BTC) by 2027, establishing the cryptocurrency as its primary treasury reserve asset. In tandem with this strategy, the company has appointed Joe Burnett, a widely respected Bitcoin analyst and advocate, as its Director of Bitcoin Strategy.
Burnett’s appointment and Semler’s treasury pivot mark one of the most aggressive institutional endorsements of Bitcoin since MicroStrategy began its historic accumulation in 2020. The strategy suggests a future where publicly traded corporations increasingly seek monetary alternatives amid inflation, geopolitical instability, and systemic debt concerns.
Strategic Vision: Sound Money in a Time of Fiat Fragility
Semler Scientific’s Bitcoin roadmap includes acquiring BTC through cash reserves, convertible debt instruments, and equity raises. The company has already acquired 2,200 BTC and plans to steadily accumulate through 2027. Based on today’s BTC price of approximately $105,000, Semler’s full target equates to over $11 billion in digital assets.
“We believe Bitcoin is a superior monetary asset to cash and an effective hedge against currency debasement,” said Doug Murphy-Chutorian, Semler’s CEO. “Our mission in healthcare remains, but our treasury must evolve to meet the economic realities of the coming decade.”
Joe Burnett, previously of Blockware Solutions and known for his writing on Bitcoin’s monetary theory and macroeconomic implications, has been brought on to lead the Bitcoin accumulation strategy, including its custody framework, balance sheet integration, and potential uses in inter-company finance.
Why a Healthcare Firm Is Pivoting to Bitcoin
Semler’s primary business remains the development and sale of diagnostic tools like QuantaFlo, used for detecting peripheral artery disease. However, management argues that Bitcoin adoption serves a dual purpose: treasury strength and long-term corporate stability.
“Our revenue is health tech, but our financial base must be durable,” said CFO Laura Preston. “BTC provides an unconfiscatable, inflation-resistant capital layer.”
Analysts say this dual-focus model—mission-specific in operations, but globally aware in finance—could become increasingly common in a post-dollar-dominant economy.
Corporate BTC Trends Accelerating Worldwide
While Semler’s BTC play has raised eyebrows due to its scale relative to its market cap, it is not alone. Globally, dozens of companies are shifting toward Bitcoin as a treasury asset:
- MicroStrategy leads with over 214,000 BTC.
- Block and Tesla have resumed accumulating BTC in 2025 after regulatory clarity.
- Fidelity and BlackRock’s ETFs have normalized BTC exposure for institutional investors.
- SAP, a German software giant, has adopted a partial BTC reserve strategy in response to euro volatility.
Bitcoin, once relegated to tech circles and libertarian forums, is now being weighed in corporate boardrooms alongside treasury bonds and gold.
Regulatory and Risk Factors
Critics have raised questions about volatility and compliance. Bitcoin’s price, while appreciating significantly in the past 24 months, has historically exhibited sharp drawdowns.
“Bitcoin isn’t for the faint of heart,” said Erica Park, an analyst with Haverford Strategies. “A 40% correction could wipe billions off a balance sheet—companies need hedging and capital controls.”
To address this, Semler has partnered with Fidelity Digital Assets for insured custodianship, and is working with PwC on crypto-native audit standards. The firm insists its approach is disciplined, regulatory-compliant, and guided by risk-adjusted returns.
The Bigger Picture: End of Fiat Neutrality?
The move comes amid broader macroeconomic uncertainty:
- U.S. debt has surpassed $40 trillion.
- Interest payments on the debt now exceed military spending.
- Emerging markets are de-dollarizing, led by BRICS+ and commodity-backed currency pilots.
In that context, corporate America is beginning to question whether the U.S. dollar can continue to serve as the ultimate risk-free asset.
“Bitcoin is permissionless, scarce, and apolitical,” said Burnett. “We believe it will increasingly become the foundation of modern balance sheet integrity.”
Semler’s strategy is still early and ambitious—but not isolated. The corporate race for monetary resilience has begun. Whether this becomes the norm or remains the exception may hinge on what comes next for the global financial order.