In 2025, Bitcoin treasury companies are rapidly becoming a dominant force in the cryptocurrency market, a trend that is set to continue. Increased acceptance of cryptocurrencies particularly by influential institutions and individuals alike has bolstered this trend. Significantly, U.S President Donald Trump established a strategic Bitcoin reserve, an action backed by the Senate through the passing of the GENIUS Act. So far, the rapid ascension of Bitcoin and the wider crypto market has been nothing short of remarkable.
Increasing Institutional Acceptance of Bitcoin
Traditional finance has warmed up to cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin in recent years. For instance, spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) net inflows in 2025 totalled $14.4 billion by July 3, based on data from Farside Investors. Such developments suggest an upward trajectory for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin itself has experienced significant growth since the start of the year, gaining approximately 15%, an increase that outpaces the 7% rise of the S&P 500. The cryptocurrency continues to edge closer to its all-time high of near $112,000 set in May, practically aligning with the bullish year-end targets analysts set at the start of the year.
Will Bitcoin Treasuries Go Mainstream?
Bitcoin treasury firms have generated significant attention in 2025. These are companies that hold a substantial portion of their reserve assets in Bitcoin. They do so essentially as a strategy to hedge against inflation or in anticipation of Bitcoin’s maturation as a global, apolitical reserve asset. Certain companies like Michael Saylor’s Strategy have gone a step further to issue shares or debt to accumulate Bitcoin. An estimated 135 publicly listed companies now hold Bitcoin as a reserve asset.
Stephen Cole, the co-founder and CEO of Bitcoin treasury solution provider Castle, believes that the latter half of 2025 will be a critical period for Bitcoin’s adoption as a treasury asset. Factors such as global market trends, shifting corporate strategies, and institutional validation all play a role therein. More companies are establishing Bitcoin positions and defining their allocation strategies, indicating increased adoption.
Do Altcoins Stand a Chance Against Bitcoin?
However, with the growing popularity of Bitcoin treasury companies, concerns have arisen about demand for smaller and more volatile altcoins. These are alternative cryptocurrencies launched after the success of Bitcoin. Some investors speculate that Bitcoin treasury companies and wider access to financial instruments such as options could satisfy demand more efficient and with less friction, which could negatively impact the demand for altcoins.
More Crypto ETFs and IPOs
Besides Bitcoin treasury companies, there are other ways to gain exposure to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in public markets. Spot ETFs for Bitcoin and ether already exist, for instance. The recent success of IPO for stablecoin issuer Circle bodes well for the future of cryptocurrency-related IPOs. More IPOs may be on the horizon from the likes of crypto exchanges Gemini and Kraken, and blockchain technology companies like Consensys and Ripple.
Ethereum’s Make or Break Moment?
Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, ether, has underperformed both Bitcoin and some of its smaller competitors, such as Binance Smart Chain and Solana, in recent years. Ether continues to be underowned by many institutional investors, posing an opportunity for performance improvement if trends proceed as expected. However, its recent performance has sparked doubts among investors about whether the use of Ethereum technology by companies like Coinbase Global will increase the value of the Ether asset itself over the long term.
