Corporations Surpass ETFs, Retail in Bitcoin Buying, 157,000 BTC Acquired

Corporations and businesses have emerged as the largest net buyers of Bitcoin this year, surpassing exchange-traded funds and retail investors. According to new research, firms such as Strategy have purchased more Bitcoin than any other category of investor, with overall corporate holdings growth totaling 157,000 BTC, valued at around $16 billion at current prices. Strategy alone accounts for 77% of this growth, indicating a significant trend among businesses across various industries.

The trend of businesses investing in Bitcoin is not limited to large corporations. Smaller businesses are also recognizing the potential of Bitcoin and are aligning their strategies with this digital asset. This shift is evident in the diverse range of industries represented among Bitcoin buyers, including finance and investment firms, tech companies, professional and consulting services, and real estate.

The next largest category of Bitcoin buyers after corporations is exchange-traded funds, which have increased their net Bitcoin holdings by 49,000 BTC, valued at $5 billion. Governments have also shown interest, with around 19,000 BTC in growth. In contrast, retail traders or individuals have seen a decline of 247,000 in Bitcoin holdings this year.

This trend is further supported by the significant growth in business ownership of Bitcoin, with a 154% increase since 2024. Finance and investment firms lead the way, accounting for 35.7% of the total Bitcoin holdings among businesses, followed by tech firms at 16.8% and professional and consulting companies at 16.5%. Other sectors, including real estate, non-profits, consumer and industrial, healthcare, and energy, agriculture, and transportation firms, also contribute to this growth.

Recent large corporate purchases of Bitcoin include Strategy's acquisition of 13,390 Bitcoin for $1.34 billion and Metaplanet's addition of 1,241 BTC to its treasury. Newcomers to the Bitcoin market in 2025 include video streaming platform Rumble, construction firm Ming Shing, and investment firm HK Asia Holdings Limited. At least twelve public companies bought Bitcoin for the first time in Q1 2025, with more than 95,000 Bitcoin added to corporate portfolios for the period.

These significant corporate purchases of Bitcoin are expected to put pressure on the supply and demand dynamics of the cryptocurrency market. With a finite supply and miners producing only 450 coins per day, the increasing demand from businesses could lead to a deflationary effect. Analysts suggest that Strategy's accumulation of Bitcoin at a faster rate than total miner output could result in a -2.3% annual deflation rate for the asset.

This trend highlights the evolving landscape of the cryptocurrency market, with businesses recognizing the potential benefits of holding Bitcoin. As more companies integrate Bitcoin into their financial strategies, the overall market for digital currencies is expected to expand, further solidifying Bitcoin's position as a valuable asset. The acceptance of Bitcoin by major corporations signals a significant step towards the mainstream adoption of digital currencies, driving growth and innovation in the industry.