Institutional BTC Holdings Surge 924%, Controlling 31% of Total Supply

Highlights:

• Institutions currently hold 31% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply, amounting to 6.1 million BTC.
• Government Bitcoin holdings exceed 529,705 BTC, with the U.S. leading at 207,189 BTC.
• Bitcoin ETFs and private firms strengthen market grip, holding over 1.8 million BTC.

Recent findings from Gemini and Glassnode revealed that close to one-third of all Bitcoin (BTC) is now controlled by major centralized entities. These include cryptocurrency exchanges, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), public corporations, and various governments. Collectively, these entities control around 31% of Bitcoin’s total circulating supply, which amounts to more than 6.1 million BTC, currently valued at approximately $668 billion.

📊 31% of all #BTC is now held by governments and institutions, signaling rapid market institutionalization, per Glassnode & Gemini. pic.twitter.com/u42oJdDRRJ

— Nehal (@nehalzzzz1) June 12, 2025

Governments and Corporations Embrace BTC as Digital Gold

This big rise shows that governments, treasuries, and investment funds see Bitcoin as a valuable long-term asset, similar to digital gold. Governments worldwide collectively possess roughly 529,705 BTC, with a total value exceeding $57 billion. The U.S. has the most with 207,189 BTC, followed by China with 194,000 BTC and the U.K. with 61,000 BTC. The report explains that most of this Bitcoin wasn’t bought but was taken through seizures and legal actions. 

The research also found that government-held Bitcoin wallets rarely move their coins and don’t follow usual price trends. However, because they hold large amounts, any movement or sale could still affect the market. “These holdings represent a structurally distinct class—dormant, but capable of moving markets when activated,” the report stated.

Publicly traded firms currently possess a combined total of 763,479 BTC, valued at approximately $82.38 billion. MicroStrategy leads the pack with a massive 582,000 BTC. Other notable holders are Marathon Digital Holdings with 49,179 BTC and Riot Platforms, which owns 19,225 BTC. This trend shows growing corporate use of Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.

Bitcoin ETFs and Private Firms Strengthen Grip on BTC Supply

Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds) are quickly becoming major holders of Bitcoin. ETFs currently hold approximately 1,390,267 BTC, valued at close to $150 billion. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust holds the largest amount, with 665,638.1 BTC under management. It is followed by Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, holding 198,685.8 BTC, and the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust with 185,203.6 BTC.

The research also shows that centralized crypto exchanges have a significant portion of the 6.1 million BTC owned by major players, with about 2.5 million BTC in their custody. Still, analysts believe much of this Bitcoin likely belongs to everyday users, not the exchanges themselves.

Private companies have amassed a total of 457,870 BTC, with an estimated value of $49.4 billion. Compared to public firms, their Bitcoin ownership is more decentralized. Block.one leads among them with 140,000 BTC, while Tether Holdings follows with 100,521 BTC. Additional key holders include Xapo Bank, which owns 38,931 BTC, and Twenty One Capital, holding 37,229.7 BTC.

Institutional Bitcoin Holdings Surge 924%

The report reveals a massive 924% increase in institutional Bitcoin holdings over the last ten years. Over that same time frame, Bitcoin’s value has soared from below $1,000 to more than $100,000. In the past year alone, the cryptocurrency’s price has risen by 60.2%, reflecting its growing stability and wider acceptance.