Meta Platforms (META) Stock: Gains 3.62% as Zuckerberg Doubles Down on AI Over BTC

TLDR

Meta stock jumps 3.6% as it unveils a fully AI-driven ad engine to launch by 2026. Meta’s new AI tool will automate ad creation—no agency or team needed. Shareholders reject Meta’s proposal to add Bitcoin to its treasury reserves. Meta ramps up AI spending with a $72B capex plan, betting big on ad automation. Zuckerberg’s AI push threatens agencies, but empowers small businesses to advertise smarter.

Meta Platforms, Inc. closed at $670.90 after gaining 3.62% during Monday trading and extended gains slightly after hours. The uptick followed confirmation of Meta’s plan to launch a fully AI-powered advertising engine by late 2026. Meanwhile, shareholders voted against a proposal to adopt Bitcoin as part of Meta’s treasury reserve strategy.

Meta Platforms, Inc. 

AI Push Drives Investor Confidence

Meta’s upcoming AI tools will enable businesses to create and run ad campaigns by simply uploading a product image and setting a budget. The system will create visuals, write copy and set bids. This initiative could streamline ad operations and cut costs for millions of businesses.

Institutional investors responded positively, lifting Meta’s stock as the plan threatens to disrupt traditional advertising agency models. Shares of global marketing firms like WPP, Publicis Groupe and Havas all fell over 3% on the news. The decline shows concern among agencies about Meta’s direct reach to advertisers.

Meta currently offers basic AI ad optimization features, but the new suite will automate campaign creation entirely. The company will use user data and geotargeting to personalize ads across Facebook and Instagram. Zuckerberg’s strategic focus on AI underscores the firm’s ambition to control every layer of the digital ad process.

Meta Tightens Grip on Digital Advertising

The new system will give small businesses tools to compete with larger brands without depending on agencies. A boutique shop can launch automated campaigns with minimal input and receive optimized results. This democratizes ad creation and opens access for lower-budget businesses.

The ad engine will monitor performance, reallocate budgets and optimize bids in real-time. Consequently, businesses will not need internal marketing teams or agencies to manage digital campaigns. Meta’s AI is positioned to become a one-stop solution for the global advertising ecosystem.

Meta plans to position agencies as strategic advisors. Meta executives say AI will handle routine tasks, letting agencies focus on brand strategy. However, market reaction suggests firms remain uncertain about their future role.

Shareholders Reject Bitcoin Treasury Plan

Meta shareholders decisively rejected a proposal to add Bitcoin to the company’s balance sheet. Only 3.92 million votes supported the motion, while over 4.9 billion opposed it during the recent annual meeting. Founder Mark Zuckerberg, who controls about 60% of voting power, likely voted against the proposal.

The rejected plan aimed to allocate part of Meta’s $72 billion in reserves to Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation. The proposal originated from Ethan Peck of Strive, backed by the National Center for Public Policy Research. Peck filed similar proposals at Microsoft and Amazon, though Microsoft shareholders also voted no.

Meta has previously explored blockchain through the failed Libra and Diem stablecoin projects. While it does not hold crypto assets currently, internal reports suggest renewed interest in using stablecoins for payments. Still, the company has shifted its immediate focus toward AI and advertising automation.

Meta Positions AI at the Center of Growth Strategy

Meta raised its 2025 capital expenditure target to $72 billion, signaling its commitment to AI infrastructure. These funds will support large-scale machine learning projects aimed at enhancing ad precision and platform efficiency. With over 3.4 billion users across its apps, Meta has unmatched reach to deploy these tools.

Other social platforms like Snap, Reddit, and Pinterest are racing to develop similar AI solutions. However, Meta’s deep resources and user data provide a clear advantage. Zuckerberg’s strategy is to solidify Meta’s leadership by automating digital marketing at scale.

If successful, the shift could reinforce Meta’s advertising dominance while reshaping the broader marketing industry. Agencies may need to adapt quickly or risk becoming obsolete. Meanwhile, small businesses stand to benefit from easier access to advanced advertising tools.

 

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