Bitcoin News Today: U.S. Holds 13 of Bitcoin Supply as 40 Claim Overstated

A recent claim circulating on social media has sparked debate about the U.S. possibly controlling up to 40% of the Bitcoin supply by the end of 2025. This figure, suggested by investor Fred Krueger on X, implies U.S. ownership of around 7.8 million BTC—nearly half of the total supply of 19.7 million coins [1]. However, verified data indicates that this projection is significantly overstated [1].

Current estimates show that the U.S. holds approximately 2.6 million BTC, which accounts for about 13% of the circulating supply. This includes holdings by both public and private entities. For instance, the U.S. government holds around 198,022 BTC, primarily from seized assets such as those from Silk Road and Bitfinex. Public companies like MicroStrategy and Marathon Digital Holdings collectively hold about 876,517 BTC, with MicroStrategy alone owning over 600,000 BTC [1]. ETFs, which have gained traction in recent months, collectively hold 1.34 million BTC, adding to the national total. Despite significant net inflows of $6 billion in July alone, these figures fall far short of the 7.8 million BTC projected in the claim [1].

The claim appears to stem from Krueger’s assertion that “Bitcoin is mainly a U.S. thing,” a statement he accompanied with a visual chart on X [1]. However, the data does not support this interpretation. For example, only 15.5% of Americans own crypto, with Bitcoin being the most popular. While this suggests over 46 million U.S. residents have exposure to digital assets, most hold only small amounts. As a result, retail ownership does not translate into the type of large-scale accumulation necessary to reach the 7.8 million BTC figure [1].

India, meanwhile, has emerged as a notable player in Bitcoin adoption. It is estimated to hold around 1 million BTC, or 5% of the global supply. However, much of this is also held by retail investors, and the country still faces regulatory and tax-related challenges that could hinder large-scale accumulation [1]. While India’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for crypto use has been nearly 100% from 2018 to 2023, this growth has not translated into institutional-level holdings that would significantly alter global Bitcoin distribution [1].

Globally, Bitcoin ownership is highly fragmented. Europe holds about 900,000 BTC (4.6%), China holds approximately 194,000 BTC (1%), and Latin America and parts of Asia each hold about 400,000 BTC. Africa and other regions collectively hold around 300,000 BTC [1]. Taken together, these figures reinforce the decentralized nature of Bitcoin and show that while the U.S. is the largest holder, it is still far from controlling a 40% share.

In conclusion, while the U.S. leads in Bitcoin ownership, the claim of controlling 40% of the circulating supply by 2025 is not supported by current data. Realistic projections indicate that the U.S. holds around 13%, with significant contributions from public institutions, private corporations, and ETFs. The claim likely overestimates the concentration of Bitcoin within the U.S. and overlooks the broader, more distributed nature of global ownership [1].

Source: [1] [Unrealistic? Nearly 40% of Bitcoin’s Circulating Supply Is Estimated to Be In The US](https://www.livebitcoinnews.com/unrealistic-nearly-40-of-bitcoins-circulating-supply-is-estimated-to-be-in-the-us/)