Bitcoin News Today: Norges Bank Boosts Bitcoin Exposure 83% QoQ via Equity Holdings in MSTR and MTPLF

Norges Bank Investment Management, the investment arm of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, significantly increased its indirect exposure to Bitcoin in the second quarter of 2025. The fund raised its Bitcoin-linked holdings by 83% quarter-on-quarter, growing from 6,200 BTC to 11,400 BTC. This expansion was largely driven by increased equity investments in companies holding substantial Bitcoin reserves, particularly MicroStrategy (MSTR) and, to a lesser extent, Metaplanet (MTPLF) [1].

The move reflects a broader trend among sovereign and state-linked institutions to gain exposure to Bitcoin not through direct purchases but via equities of companies that hold the cryptocurrency as part of their treasury strategy. According to K33 Research, MicroStrategy added 3,005.5 BTC to the fund’s indirect exposure during the first half of the year, while Metaplanet contributed an additional 50.8 BTC [2]. This method of exposure aligns with the fund’s broader portfolio diversification strategy and its cautious approach to integrating digital assets.

Year-on-year, the fund’s indirect Bitcoin exposure increased by 192.7%, growing from 3,821 BTC at the end of 2024 to 7,161 BTC by June 30, 2025. This marks a dramatic shift in the fund’s digital asset strategy and highlights the increasing institutional interest in Bitcoin as a long-term store of value [3]. The fund’s total assets under management remain largely focused on global equities, bonds, and real estate, but the inclusion of Bitcoin-linked equities underscores a strategic bet on the cryptocurrency’s potential as a diversified asset.

The increased exposure comes amid a broader acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate and mature asset class. Institutions are increasingly viewing the cryptocurrency not as a speculative bubble but as a hedge against macroeconomic uncertainty and a complement to traditional portfolios. NBIM’s decision to expand its Bitcoin exposure through equities, rather than direct purchases, suggests a measured approach to risk management while still capitalizing on the asset’s growth potential [2].

Sources indicate that the fund’s Bitcoin-linked investments are valued at approximately $844 million, a figure that reflects both the quantity of BTC exposure and prevailing market conditions. The fund’s strategy of using public equities to gain exposure to Bitcoin also avoids some of the regulatory and operational complexities associated with direct cryptocurrency holdings [3].

This development adds to the growing list of institutional investors taking a more active stance on Bitcoin, reinforcing the narrative that the cryptocurrency is becoming a standard part of diversified investment portfolios.

References:

[1] https://cryptoslate.com/insights/norways-sovereign-wealth-fund-boosts-bitcoin-exposure-by-192-in-2025/

[2] https://www.tradingview.com/news/the_block:443fa5d08094b:0-norway-sovereign-wealth-fund-s-indirect-bitcoin-exposure-grows-to-7-161-btc-as-its-strategy-holdings-surpass-1-billion-k33/

[3] https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/15/bitcoin-and-strategy-lead-on-risk-adjusted-returns-as-volatility-falls