Corporate Bitcoin Holdings Skyrocket to $16B in 2025, Dominating Market Over ETFs and Retail
Institutional demand for Bitcoin has surged to unprecedented levels in 2025, with corporations collectively amassing 157,000 BTC worth approximately $16 billion. This corporate accumulation, led by MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor and now mirrored by global enterprises, has overshadowed ETFs and retail investors as the primary market force. River's latest data highlights a significant divergence in market dynamics, underscoring the growing institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a cornerstone asset. As of June 2025, this trend signals a robust bullish outlook for Bitcoin's future, driven by large-scale corporate adoption.
Corporate Bitcoin Accumulation Surges to $16B in 2025, Overshadowing ETFs and Retail
Institutional demand for bitcoin has reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with corporations collectively acquiring 157,000 BTC worth approximately $16 billion. This corporate buying spree, spearheaded by MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor and now emulated by global enterprises, has effectively displaced ETFs and retail investors as the dominant market force.
River's latest data reveals a striking divergence: while institutions aggressively stack digital gold, retail holders have reduced exposures by 274,000 BTC. The six-figure price barrier appears to be triggering profit-taking among individual investors, creating a supply vacuum that corporations are eagerly filling.
The trend underscores Bitcoin's maturation as a treasury reserve asset, with publicly traded companies leading the charge. "Businesses have become the largest net buyers this year," observes River's report, marking a fundamental shift in Bitcoin's ownership structure.
Bitcoin Eyes $105K as Coinbase Surges 24%; Rally Has More Room, Says Analyst
Bitcoin reclaimed the $104,000 level amid a trifecta of bullish catalysts: cooler-than-expected April CPI data easing Fed pressure, former President Trump's optimistic market commentary at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, and Coinbase's landmark inclusion in the S&P 500 index.
The flagship cryptocurrency briefly challenged $105,000 before settling at $104,400, marking a 2.4% daily gain. Altcoins across the CoinDesk 20 index largely outperformed, suggesting broadening institutional interest beyond Bitcoin.
Market participants now await Fed Chair Powell's Thursday speech for clarity on monetary policy trajectory, particularly regarding potential tariff-induced inflation. The Coinbase rally—fueled by its S&P 500 debut—signals growing mainstream acceptance of crypto infrastructure players.
Cantor Equity Partners Discloses $458M Bitcoin Acquisition in Merger Deal
Cantor Equity Partners has revealed a $458.7 million Bitcoin purchase as part of its pending merger with Twenty One Capital, a BTC-focused investment vehicle backed by Tether, Bitfinex, and SoftBank. The acquisition, disclosed in a regulatory filing, involves a complex transaction structure with Tether Investments and iFinex, Bitfinex's parent company.
Tether acquired approximately 4,812 BTC at an average price of $95,319, with the tokens held in escrow before being transferred to the merged entity. Blockchain data confirms the escrow wallet received the Bitcoin from a Bitfinex hot wallet on May 9. At current prices, the wallet's holdings are valued at $500 million.
Semler Scientific Reports 22.2% BTC Yield YTD in Q1, Expands Holdings to 3,808 Bitcoin
Semler Scientific's stock surged over 5% on Tuesday after revealing its Q1 2025 financial results, highlighted by a 22.2% year-to-date Bitcoin yield. The company now holds 3,808 BTC, having acquired 894 BTC during the quarter and an additional 616 BTC since March 31.
Bitcoin's rally, fueled by institutional demand, continues to bolster corporate balance sheets. Semler's aggressive accumulation strategy reflects growing confidence in crypto as a treasury asset. "We remain committed to Bitcoin as a Core holding," the company stated, though the full earnings transcript was truncated.
Companies Supercharge Bitcoin Purchases in a Landmark Year
Publicly traded companies are accelerating their Bitcoin acquisitions at an unprecedented rate. In May 2025 alone, corporate purchases reached 196,000 BTC—3.3 times the 60,000 new coins minted this year, according to Bitwise data. This surge marks a dramatic shift from 2024, when only a handful of firms, such as Strategy and Metaplanet, held Bitcoin on their balance sheets.
Today, over 70 companies have adopted Bitcoin as a treasury asset. Strategy CEO Phong Le forecasts this number could leap to 700 within a year. The trend reflects deepening institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a strategic reserve, with corporations outpacing new supply by a widening margin.
SEC Delays Decision on BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF In-Kind Redemption Model
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has postponed its ruling on BlackRock's proposed in-kind redemption model for its iShares Bitcoin Trust, citing regulatory concerns. Public comments are now being solicited.
BlackRock's current cash redemption framework requires Bitcoin-to-fiat conversion upon investor exits. Approval of the in-kind model WOULD enable direct Bitcoin-for-shares exchanges, potentially improving market efficiency for the ETF.
Analysts note this development comes as Nasdaq filed supporting rule changes in January, reflecting growing institutional infrastructure for cryptocurrency investment vehicles.
