Bitcoin’s Institutional Surge: Corporate Holdings Dominate as Price Tops $100K in 2025

In a landmark shift for the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin has achieved a significant milestone in 2025 with institutional investors overtaking retail holders. According to River's research, corporate ownership of BTC has skyrocketed this year, adding 157,000 new entity holders. This surge in institutional adoption coincides with Bitcoin breaking the $100,000 barrier, further solidifying its position as a legitimate asset class. The data highlights Bitcoin's remarkable evolution from a niche digital currency to a mainstream financial instrument embraced by businesses worldwide.

Bitcoin Ownership Report 2025: Businesses Overtake Retail Investors

Bitcoin's journey from a fringe asset to mainstream adoption reached a new milestone in 2025 as institutional ownership surged. The cryptocurrency, originally designed for peer-to-peer transactions, has seen a 157,000-entity increase in corporate holders this year alone, according to River's research. This institutional wave coincides with BTC's breach of the $100,000 psychological barrier, cementing its status as a legitimate store of value.

The shift marks a fundamental transformation in Bitcoin's ownership structure. Where retail investors once dominated the landscape, corporate balance sheets now account for growing portions of the circulating supply. This institutional embrace reflects hardening confidence in cryptocurrency's role as both a treasury asset and inflation hedge, despite Bitcoin's original egalitarian ethos.

CBI and Blockware Forge $10M Bitcoin Mining Partnership

Crypto Blockchain Industries (CBI) has entered a strategic partnership with Blockware, a leading Bitcoin mining specialist, to deploy next-generation Bitmain ASIC miners. The collaboration will see CBI finance an initial $10 million tranche of mining rigs in staged investments as funding is secured.

The arrangement allows CBI to acquire bitcoin at below-market rates through mined proceeds. Blockware will receive partial compensation in CBI shares and plans to reinvest a portion of profits back into the company. Final equity stakes will be determined by operational performance over time.

This partnership underscores the growing institutional interest in vertically integrated Bitcoin mining operations. By combining capital deployment with technical expertise, both parties aim to optimize mining efficiency during a pivotal period for network infrastructure.

Mini Altcoin Seasons Emerge as Bitcoin Dominance Wanes

Bitcoin's market dominance has plunged to 62.5%, its lowest level since March, signaling a rotation into altcoins. This shift marks the beginning of what analysts describe as a fragmented altcoin season—one that rewards projects with robust fundamentals rather than indiscriminately lifting all tokens.

The 5-basis-point decline in BTC dominance over six days reflects selective capital flows. Unlike previous cycles where altcoins rallied in unison, the current market favors tokens demonstrating clear utility and execution capability. This selectivity suggests a maturation of crypto markets as investors become more discerning.

Bitcoin Miners WULF and MARA Command Premium Valuations as IREN Lags Behind

Bitcoin miners WULF and MARA are trading at 4.4× price-to-sales multiples, reflecting investor confidence in their revenue streams, while Iris Energy (IREN) trails at a significant discount. CryptoQuant's real-time on-chain tracker reveals these disparities by analyzing block rewards and transaction fees tied to each miner's wallet.

The proprietary methodology provides near-perfect accuracy in estimating daily revenues for major miners, including MARA, RIOT, and IREN. Traditional valuation models, reliant on lagging data, are now being supplanted by this dynamic alternative.

Bitcoin Whales Show Tentative Accumulation Amid Market Uncertainty

Bitcoin's whale count edges upward despite lingering market indecision. The number of addresses holding 1,000-10,000 BTC grew to 2,012 this week, a marginal but notable increase from 2,009 in early May. These deep-pocketed investors typically serve as bellwethers for institutional sentiment.

Technical indicators paint a mixed picture. While the Ichimoku Cloud and EMA metrics remain nominally bullish, they reflect weak conviction among traders. The asset continues to oscillate between key support and resistance levels, with its next decisive MOVE likely determining whether it challenges record highs or retreats below $60,000.

Whale behavior often precedes major price movements. Their current accumulation pattern suggests guarded Optimism about Bitcoin's medium-term prospects, though reduced transaction volumes indicate persistent caution. The market appears to be holding its breath ahead of clearer macroeconomic signals.

Retail Investors Return to Bitcoin with 3.4% Surge in Accumulation

Retail investors are re-entering the Bitcoin market, signaling renewed confidence in cryptocurrencies. On-chain data reveals a 3.4% increase in purchases by small holders—wallets containing between $0 and $10,000 worth of BTC—from April 28th to May 13th. This marks a notable shift after months of subdued activity.

The resurgence of retail interest coincides with heightened sensitivity to price volatility, now interpreted as a bullish indicator. "From FOMO to Fundamentals," observes CryptoQuant, as Bitcoin's upward trajectory attracts smaller investors back into the fold.