Castle Opens Bitcoin Conversion Tool to Individual STRC Holders

Castle has expanded its automated financial platform to individual users, enabling them to automatically convert any portion of their dividends from Strategy’s STRC preferred stock into Bitcoin. Previously available only to nonprofits and businesses, the tool now allows personal account holders to automate Bitcoin accumulation through their investment yields.

Under the new feature, users define a specific percentage of their semi-monthly cash dividends to be converted into Bitcoin, while the remainder stays in cash. Strategy continues to pay all dividends in cash; Castle executes the Bitcoin purchase on the user's behalf. The underlying security, STRC (Strategy’s Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock), is a Nasdaq-listed security with a $100 stated amount. For September 2026 record dates, the annualized dividend rate is 12%, though this remains a variable rate subject to monthly adjustments. Dividends are paid semi-monthly, with record dates falling on the 15th and the final day of each month.

The Shift to Personal Finance

Founded by Stephen Cole and João Almeida, Castle originally focused on providing automated Bitcoin treasury tools for small and medium-sized businesses. The decision to open the platform to individual users was driven by direct demand from the company's existing client base. "Feedback we heard over and over from business owners was: ‘I love this stack — when can I use it personally?’" said Stephen Cole, Co-founder and CEO of Castle. The company's growth has been supported by early backing, including a $1 million funding round from Boost VC and Winklevoss Capital.

Bridging Yield and Digital Assets

This integration removes the manual friction typically associated with transferring dividend income from traditional bank accounts to cryptocurrency exchanges. By automating the process, investors can simultaneously earn a high yield from a Nasdaq-listed security and build a Bitcoin position. This effectively creates a "Bitcoin-paying" experience for the investor without requiring changes to the legal structure of the STRC security itself. João Almeida, Co-founder and CTO of Castle, noted that investors have long faced a choice between earning steady yield and holding Bitcoin, and that Castle's tool eliminates that trade-off.

Market Implications

As more investors seek ways to blend traditional finance yields with digital asset exposure, tools like Castle's provide a bridge for those wary of manual trading. The variable nature of the STRC dividend means that the amount of Bitcoin accumulated will fluctuate based on Strategy's monthly rate adjustments. Market observers will likely watch whether this automation leads to increased demand for STRC among retail investors who prioritize Bitcoin accumulation over cash liquidity.