U.S. Takes the Lead in Bitcoin Reserves as Global Dynamics Shift

The landscape of Bitcoin reserves has seen a notable shift, with U.S. entities now holding a significantly larger portion of Bitcoin compared to their international counterparts.

According to Ki Young Ju, CEO of CryptoQuant, this change reflects a growing dominance of the U.S. in the digital asset space, marking a new record high in Bitcoin ownership within the country.

Historically, companies like MicroStrategy led the way in accumulating Bitcoin for their balance sheets, but recently, U.S. Bitcoin holdings have surged even further. The ratio of Bitcoin held by U.S. entities, including miners, exchanges, and investment vehicles like ETFs, has grown substantially, rising from 1.24 in September 2024 to 1.65 by January 2025. This marks a dramatic shift in Bitcoin’s distribution, positioning the U.S. as a leader in this space.

This trend coincides with a significant rise in Bitcoin’s price, particularly after President Trump’s public support for cryptocurrency during his re-election campaign, which contributed to Bitcoin’s record-high price of $108,135. The surge in Bitcoin’s value also played a role in fueling the growth of U.S.-based Bitcoin ETFs, attracting billions of dollars in investments from major firms like BlackRock and Fidelity.

This surge in U.S. Bitcoin reserves has drawn attention from other nations, including Russia and Poland, who are now considering establishing their own Bitcoin holdings. However, economists like Peter Schiff have voiced concerns over the risks of such moves, suggesting that the increasing dominance of U.S. entities could result in significant market volatility.

As the U.S. solidifies its role as a major player in the Bitcoin market, the regulatory decisions it makes will have far-reaching consequences for the future of cryptocurrency worldwide.