Roughly one-third of all publicly known Bitcoin holdings are now controlled by exchange-traded funds (ETFs), governments, and MicroStrategy, reflecting a significant shift in ownership dynamics.
This figure represents a notable increase from just 14% in December 2023, according to data shared by Ki Young Ju, founder of the crypto analytics firm CryptoQuant.
Ju emphasized the pivotal role MicroStrategy plays in the Bitcoin ecosystem, highlighting the company’s strategic position as a bridge between traditional finance and cryptocurrency. He pointed out that MicroStrategy effectively acts as a gateway for institutional money, particularly from Nasdaq-100 investors, into Bitcoin.
He also addressed the skepticism some Bitcoin enthusiasts have toward MicroStrategy’s approach, which includes concerns over self-custody. Ju noted that while many Bitcoin advocates prioritize decentralization and privacy, only a small fraction actively practice self-custody.
MicroStrategy’s “Bitcoin bank” model, he argued, aligns with the current state of adoption by offering a managed approach to accumulating and holding Bitcoin.
Ju further explained that if MicroStrategy’s active management strategy allows it to acquire significant Bitcoin holdings with relatively modest capital investments, it could validate the concept of a “Bitcoin bank.” However, he cautioned that, like any financial strategy, there are inherent risks, and investors should approach it as they would trust in a traditional banking model, using Bitcoin itself as the underlying currency.
According to new data shared by Bitcoin Magazine Pro, publicly traded companies now collectively hold over 844,822 BTC, valued at more than $100.5 billion, marking a historic milestone for institutional Bitcoin adoption.
Trump Media and Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, Truth+, and Truth.Fi, has officially disclosed that it now holds approximately $2 billion in Bitcoin and Bitcoin-related securities.
Michael Saylor’s Strategy has confirmed another major Bitcoin purchase, acquiring 6,220 BTC last week for approximately $739.8 million.
Bitcoin’s derivatives market is heating up, with open interest climbing back to $42 billion while funding rates continue to surge.