A trend worth billions: why corporations are catching bitcoin fever

While the crypto market is once again balancing between hope and correction, one trend remains steady. Increasingly, public companies are investing in bitcoin, not as part of individual initiatives, but as part of a comprehensive strategy. For some, it's a defence against inflation. For others, it's a way to consolidate influence in a new financial architecture. The question is not why they started. The question is why they don't stop.

Who and how much

According to BitcoinTreasuries, as of June 2025, the total amount of BTC held by public companies exceeds 320,000 coins. At current prices, that's more than $33 billion. Leading the way is MicroStrategy, which has more than 214,000 BTC. However, the first quarter of 2025 was especially active, as Tesla and Block resumed purchases, and new players from Japan, Singapore, and South Korea entered the market.

In March, Chinese giant Meituan announced the purchase of 8,000 BTC. Large U.S. companies, including BlackRock and Fidelity, have increased their investments in bitcoin ETFs. This is creating additional demand and supporting the exchange rate, which is holding above $100,000 in the summer.

Why do they do it

The primary motive is capital preservation in the face of global monetary easing. While the dollar continues to lose purchasing power, bitcoin is perceived as a deflationary asset with limited issuance. Not so much "digital gold" but an alternative to an eroding system.

Another factor is pressure from shareholders and institutional partners. Bitcoin is finally out of the fringe in 2023-2024. After the first ETFs were approved in the US, they were recognized as an institutional asset. This means that if you are managing a portfolio with a focus on the future, it is simply dangerous to ignore BTC.

Image by Investopedia / Alice Morganmage

A new phase: Bitcoin on the balance sheet of companies

A key feature of the current cycle is that Bitcoin is no longer just a hedge against inflation. It is increasingly seen as a strategic element. It can be used as collateral for borrowing, used in cross-border settlements, and used as a digital reserve. Companies view it not as a speculative instrument, but as an infrastructural part of their financial operations.

For example, Canada's Hut 8 in 2025 started accepting payment in BTC for providing hashrate and infrastructure services. Japan's Rakuten sees bitcoin as a unit of account in its loyalty ecosystem. Korea's Kakao has introduced BTC support in its Klaytn payment platform.

Why it matters

The more companies hold BTC, the fewer coins are in free circulation. This forms a scarcity effect. At the same time, it increases the institutional stability of the crypto market. Whereas it previously depended on news from stock exchanges and the sentiment of retail investors, the exchange rate is now influenced by the decisions made by the board of directors of a trillion-dollar capitalization corporation.

It also adds to the political weight of Bitcoin. When the most prominent corporations have a decentralised asset on their balance sheets, a blockchain or aggressive regulation becomes not just a risk, but a blow to business. This changes the very agenda around crypto: from a "geek" topic, it becomes a matter of public economics.

What's next

A new wave of public company reporting is expected in 2025, where Bitcoin will appear as part of the balance sheet. Several more ETF products are also scheduled to launch in Europe and Asia. Against this background, regulators will be forced to adapt to the new reality: Bitcoin is no longer on the periphery, but at the centre of financial flows.

For businesses, this is a signal: if you're still thinking about whether to get in or not, you're already late. And it's not about the hype, it's about the fact that a new monetary system is forming before our eyes. Not everyone will find a place in it. However, those who manage to get in now will gain incomparably more than just the growth in the asset's value.