To The Moon

As a regular Singaporean middle-class investor  Ive been nodding along to Warren Buffett’s recent vibes. The Oracle of Omaha (or his successors at Berkshire) has been sitting on a mountain of cash—hundreds of billions—while being a net seller of stocks for quarters on end. Valuations look stretched, the Buffett Indicator is screaming high, and he’s basically saying: “Not much compelling out there right now. Patience is the name of the game.”

It makes sense. With the S&P 500 and tech names trading at lofty multiples amid AI hype, chasing growth stocks feels like paying full price for a crowded kopitiam during peak lunch hour. Safe Singapore options? Fixed deposits are hovering around 1.3–1.5% p.a. at best, T-bills barely cracking 1.4%, and even USD deposits top out around 3.5–3.6%. That’s not going to outpace inflation or build real wealth for retirement while the family expenses keep climbing.So what’s a practical play when Buffett says sit on your hands? For me, it’s about finding pockets of decent yield with some edge, without going full speculator. One name that keeps popping up in my late-night research (after the kids are asleep) is STRC — the perpetual preferred stock from Strategy Inc (the company formerly known as MicroStrategy, now fully leaning into its Bitcoin Treasury identity).

Why STRC Fits a “Scarce Opportunities”

 STRC is engineered to trade close to its US$100 par value. The board adjusts the dividend rate every month to keep the price stable — right now in April 2026, it’s holding at 11.50% annualized, paid monthly in cash. That’s roughly $0.958 per share each month. Compare that to local bank rates or even US risk-free yields around 3.7%, and it stands out like a durian stall in a hawker centre full of prata.I first heard about it from a colleague who’s into US stocks via his brokerage. He showed me the dashboard: 30-day volatility around 2%, Sharpe ratio north of 3.8, and daily trading volume in the hundreds of millions. It’s not the wild ride of Bitcoin or Strategy’s common shares (MSTR). Instead, it feels more like a high-yield credit instrument backed by the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin hoard. Proceeds from issuing STRC go straight into buying more BTC, creating a flywheel that strengthens the treasury over time.

As a Singapore investor, the appeal is the monthly cash flow without needing to sell anything. It can supplement the emergency fund or cover the occasional family staycation in JB, while still giving indirect exposure to Bitcoin’s long-term upside if the crypto cycle turns favourable again. Liquidity is decent on Nasdaq, and many brokers here let you access it (though you’ll deal with SGD-USD FX and potential withholding tax—check with your platform or accountant).

The Opportunities I SeeIn an environment where Buffett finds few bargains, STRC offers a hybrid: better income than cash or bonds, with a built-in stabilizer that fights volatility. The variable dividend mechanism actively pulls the price back toward $100, which has kept swings low so far. If Bitcoin grinds higher over the years (as it has in past cycles), the underlying treasury gets stronger, supporting the preferred structure.For middle-class folks like us—used to balancing CPF, SRS, and local blue chips—this can be a small satellite holding (maybe 5–10% of investable cash) for income generation without quitting the day job. Some corporates and institutions have even been parking money here, treating it as a modern twist on preferred stock. And unlike chasing overhyped growth names, you’re not paying crazy multiples; you’re collecting a fat coupon while waiting for better entry points elsewhere.

But Let’s Be Real About the Risks (No Sugarcoating)Nothing yielding over 11% comes without teeth. This is perpetual preferred — no maturity date, so your capital stays locked until Strategy redeems (they don’t have to) or you sell on the market. The dividend rate can (and does) get adjusted; it’s not guaranteed forever. If Bitcoin enters a prolonged slump and stays weak, or if capital markets tighten and fresh issuance slows, sustaining those payouts could get challenging.It’s credit risk tied heavily to one volatile asset: Bitcoin. No MAS protection, no easy collateral. Strategy has reported big mark-to-market losses before, and while they keep raising capital, a real crypto winter would test the model. Currency risk hits us Singaporeans too — USD moves affect both price and converted dividends. Plus, in a proper market panic, even “stable” instruments can see liquidity thin out.I still remember my uncle warning me over weekend dim sum last month: “Eh, high yield always comes with story. Make sure you size it so you can sleep at night.” Wise words. I’ve kept my own position modest — enough to feel the monthly payouts but not enough to sweat if Bitcoin corrects hard again.

My Bottom Line as a Singapore InvestorBuffett’s caution is a reminder: when opportunities are scarce, don’t force it. Park most of your powder in safe, boring stuff (CPF, T-bills, diversified ETFs), but allow a small allocation for asymmetric or high-income ideas that fit your risk bucket. For me, STRC is one such tactical play — juicy yield in a low-rate world, engineered calm, and a bet on Bitcoin’s long-term narrative without the full rollercoaster.It’s not “the next big thing” or a replacement for proper diversification. It’s just one tool when the market feels expensive and uninspiring. Do your own homework, consider your overall portfolio, tax situation, and risk tolerance (maybe chat with a financial adviser). Markets can stay irrational longer than we expect, and what looks smart today might test your nerves tomorrow.In the end, like Buffett preaches, time in the market and discipline matter more than timing perfection. While we wait for those rarer fat pitches, collecting 11.5% monthly on a relatively steady name doesn’t feel like the worst way to stay in the game