The number of publicly traded companies holding at least 1,000 Bitcoin (BTC) has seen a significant increase, jumping from 24 in the first quarter to 35 as of July 25, marking a nearly 50% surge. This growth, as reported by Chris Kuiper, the vice president of research at Fidelity Digital Assets, has pushed the combined Bitcoin holdings of these companies to almost 900,000 BTC, inching closer to the symbolic 1 million BTC milestone.
The data shows a clear trend of acceleration in the number of heavyweight corporate holders of Bitcoin. After reaching a plateau in 2023, the figures began to rise towards the end of last year and have continued to climb steadily.
One notable shift highlighted by Kuiper is the change in the pattern of Bitcoin acquisitions by these companies. In the first quarter, companies collectively acquired just under 100,000 BTC, with one firm dominating the acquisitions. However, in the second quarter, the total purchases surged to over 154,000 BTC, a 35% increase from the previous quarter. Importantly, these acquisitions were distributed across a wider range of company treasuries, indicating a broader adoption of Bitcoin among corporate entities.
Apart from heavyweight corporate acquisitions, broader corporate adoption of Bitcoin has also been on the rise this year. In the first half of 2025, public companies acquired a total of 245,510 BTC, more than double the amount acquired by spot exchange-traded funds during the same period. This represents a 375% increase from the previous year, while ETF demand experienced a 56% decline year-over-year.
While strategy still accounts for a significant portion of Bitcoin acquisitions at nearly 55% of the total, the share of other corporate purchases has been increasing, showcasing a diversified approach to acquiring Bitcoin. Companies are now buying approximately 2.1 BTC for every ETF coin minted, indicating a shift towards viewing Bitcoin as a strategic asset rather than just a speculative investment.
Overall, the data reflects a growing trend of corporate adoption and investment in Bitcoin, signaling a broader acceptance and integration of the digital asset into corporate treasuries. This shift towards Bitcoin as a valuable asset class demonstrates the evolving perception of cryptocurrency within the traditional financial landscape.