From Niche to Norm: Public Companies Embrace Bitcoin at Record Pace
So far in 2025, institutions and corporations are the biggest buyers of Bitcoin, surpassing all other investor groups, according to data from Bitcoin financial services provider, River.
The report stated that businesses and corporations acquired 157,000 BTC this year, valued at approximately $16.1 billion at the current price of $102,589 per Bitcoin as of May 13, 2025.
That represents a 154% increase in corporate BTC holdings since 2024, following a strategic shift to adopt the cryptocurrency as an inflation hedge and treasury reserve asset.
The buying activity from corporates is in contrast to retail investors, who sold off 247,000 BTC, showing a shift toward institutional dominance.
The number of public companies holding BTC has also risen 80%, from 33 in 2023 to 80 in 2025.
Finance companies account for 35.7% of the growth, followed by technology firms at 16.8% and professional services companies at 16.5%, showing broad sectoral engagement.
Bitcoin Industry Buyers Breakdown (Source: River)
The growing institutional confidence in the leading crypto is in line with a larger market narrative, followed by recent U.S. political developments, such as pro-crypto policies after the 2024 election.
Strategy’s Bitcoin Empire and the New Players Joining In
Strategy leads the corporate Bitcoin treasury, accounting for 77% of the sector’s entire accumulation, with $58.35 billion USD in BTC holdings.
The company recently purchased 13,390 BTC worth $1.34 billion and has plans to raise another $42 billion for future purchases, equal to 2.6 years of BTC’s annual production.
Under CEO Michael Saylor, Strategy is promoting corporate adoption, hosting the “Bitcoin for Corporations” conference in May 2025 to advocate for Bitcoin as a treasury asset.
New corporations are also entering the market by adopting BTC as a treasury asset. Rumble made its first Bitcoin purchase in March 2025, while Metaplanet recently purchased another 1,241 BTC, surpassing El Salvador’s holdings, as previously reported by Ecoinimist.
Other firms, including Ming Shing and HK Asia Holdings Limited, have joined the trend, as institutions like Banzai devote a maximum of 10% of their cash holdings to Bitcoin. This expanding list is proof of movement from niche to mainstream corporate action.
Corporate Buying Streak Sparks BTC Price Speculation
Corporate purchases are reducing BTC’s supply, with major market implications.
With 450 BTC of miner output on a daily basis, Strategy’s purchases alone represent a -2.3% per annum deflation rate.
In Q1 2025, public companies added 95,000 BTC, surpassing ETF inflows at 49,000 BTC and government purchases of approximately ~19,000 BTC.
This demand is increasing speculation regarding the price momentum of Bitcoin, which is currently trading at $102,589, well above previous levels in the year.
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan predicts that dozens of companies will adopt Bitcoin within 18 months due to its stability and inflation-resistant properties.
The adoption trend shows supply stress, particularly from finance firms holding 157,000 BTC, backing the narrative of institutional FOMO driving market dynamics.
The Risks and Rewards of Bitcoin’s Corporate Takeover
The surge in corporate Bitcoin adoption reveals that the cryptocurrency market is fast-growing. Events like Strategy’s May 2025 conference and rising institutional interest are a testament to the legitimacy of BTC as a corporate asset.
However, risks remain, including market volatility and regulatory uncertainty, particularly as global frameworks change.
The level of holdings, especially by firms like Strategy, raises concerns about potential market influence by a few key players.
As businesses continue to invest billions in BTC, the role of the cryptocurrency within corporate treasuries will probably grow, with the potential to transform financial strategies and impact world markets.
With 80 publicly traded companies already holding BTC and more likely to join them, 2025 is a critical year for Bitcoin’s acceptance into mainstream finance.
