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Bitcoin Institutional Adoption Set to Surge: Over 1 Million BTC Held by Public Companies by 2026

Bitcoin Institutional Adoption Set to Surge: Over 1 Million BTC Held by Public Companies by 2026

Published:
2025-05-24 14:37:14
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Institutional adoption of Bitcoin is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, with projections indicating that public companies alone could hold over 1 million BTC by the end of 2026. This would account for nearly 5% of the circulating supply, significantly reshaping market dynamics. Sovereign nations and U.S. states are also increasingly treating Bitcoin as a reserve asset, mirroring strategies traditionally reserved for gold. As of May 2025, the BTC price stands at 108,893.22 USDT, reflecting growing confidence in its long-term value. This report highlights the transformative potential of institutional involvement in the cryptocurrency space.

Over 1 Million Bitcoin Would be Held by Public Companies By the End of 2026: Report

Institutional adoption of Bitcoin is accelerating at a pace that could reshape its market dynamics. By 2026, public companies alone may double their BTC holdings to surpass 1 million coins—equivalent to nearly 5% of the circulating supply. Sovereign nations and U.S. states are increasingly treating Bitcoin as a reserve asset, mirroring strategies once reserved for gold.

The projected 20% institutional ownership threshold—approximately 4.2 million BTC—reflects a fundamental shift in capital allocation. Legislative tailwinds like the bitcoin Act and demand from wealth managers underscore Bitcoin’s hardening role as a non-sovereign store of value. Market infrastructure firms Bitwise and UTXO Management note this trajectory mirrors gold’s institutionalization in the early 2000s.

Bitcoin ETFs See Record Inflows as IBIT Nears GLD’s Market Position

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded their strongest weekly inflow since April, with investors pouring $2.7 billion into BTC-linked products. The six-week streak of positive flows has pushed cumulative inflows to $44.53 billion, representing 6.24% of Bitcoin’s total market valuation.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) continues to dominate the space, amassing $48 billion in inflows since launch and holding $71 billion in assets. Fidelity’s FBTC and Grayscale’s converted GBTC fund trail with $21 billion each. The rapid ascent of 16-month-old IBIT now positions it as a credible challenger to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), the traditional safe-haven ETF.

Semler Scientific Expands Bitcoin Holdings to 4,264 BTC in $50 Million Purchase

Semler Scientific, a Nasdaq-listed healthcare technology firm, has bolstered its Bitcoin treasury with a $50 million acquisition of 455 BTC. The purchase, executed between May 13 and May 22, 2025, marks the company’s third major Bitcoin investment since adopting a Bitcoin-centric strategy last year.

The latest transaction brings Semler’s total Bitcoin holdings to 4,264 BTC, valued at approximately $474.4 million. Funding for the purchase was sourced from the company’s $500 million at-the-market offering program, which has already generated $114.8 million through the issuance of 3 million shares.

Semler’s aggressive accumulation of Bitcoin reflects growing institutional confidence in cryptocurrency as a treasury asset. The company paid an average of $109,801 per Bitcoin in its most recent acquisition, demonstrating its commitment to dollar-cost averaging despite market volatility.

Bitcoin Could Hit $125K by Midyear as Institutional Demand Fuels Rally

Bitcoin’s record-breaking surge above $111,000 signals accelerating institutional adoption, with Bybit’s Shunyet Jan forecasting a $125,000 price target by Q2. The derivatives head cites three catalytic factors: sustained capital inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs, growing recognition of BTC as a reserve asset, and expanding derivatives market participation.

ETF inflows now exceed $28 billion since January, demonstrating Wall Street’s growing conviction in cryptocurrency as a macro asset. This institutional endorsement contrasts sharply with previous retail-driven cycles, creating a more stable demand base for Bitcoin’s price discovery.

Bitcoin Long Liquidations Surge Past $100 Million Amid Price Pullback

Bitcoin’s rally to a new all-time high of $12,000 met with swift profit-taking, triggering a cascade of long liquidations exceeding $125 million. The derivatives market flipped from favoring longs to punishing them within 24 hours, with short liquidations amounting to just $30 million.

This abrupt shift mirrors the volatility inherent in crypto markets. Where bulls previously dominated as BTC set records, Friday’s retreat below $108,000 demonstrated how quickly sentiment can reverse. The liquidations data paints a clear picture: overleveraged positions collapsed under the weight of rapid price movements.

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