Public Companies Increase Bitcoin Holdings by 38% as Institutional Adoption Accelerates

The number of publicly traded companies holding Bitcoin surged by 38% between July and September, signaling renewed institutional confidence in the world’s largest cryptocurrency, according to a report from crypto asset manager Bitwise.

Citing data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET, Bitwise found that 172 public companies now hold BTC on their balance sheets, with 48 new firms joining the ranks in the third quarter alone. The findings suggest that “large players are doubling down, not backing away,” said Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley in a post on X.

“These figures are absolutely remarkable,” Horsley wrote. “People want to own Bitcoin. Companies do too.”

Corporate Holdings Top $117 Billion

The total value of corporate Bitcoin holdings climbed to $117 billion, a 28% increase quarter over quarter, while the number of coins held by public entities surpassed one million, representing roughly 4.87% of BTC total supply.

Leading the charge is Michael Saylor’s Strategy, which continues to dominate as the largest BTC-holding company. Its most recent purchase on October 6 brought its total stash to 640,250 BTC.

Close behind is world’s leading crypto mining company, MARA Holdings, with 53,250 BTC following an additional acquisition earlier this week.

Analysts say this growing institutional participation is being fueled by improved regulatory clarity, better custody infrastructure, and the expanding ecosystem of Bitcoin ETFs. Together, these developments are creating a more stable and attractive environment for corporations seeking exposure to digital assets.

Bitcoin Demand Outpaces New Supply

According to data from Bitbo, Bitcoin miners produce roughly 900 new coins per day. Meanwhile, a September report from financial services firm River revealed that businesses are collectively buying around 1,755 BTC daily in 2025, nearly double the rate of new issuance.

However, analysts caution that even as institutions buy, short-term corrections remain likely due to profit-taking by long-term holders, heightened derivatives activity, or macroeconomic shocks, such as the recent U.S.–China trade tensions.

ETFs Mark Turning Point for Mainstream Adoption

Beyond direct corporate purchases, spot Bitcoin ETFs have become a key driver of institutional inflows. According to Bitwise analyst Lucas, these regulated investment products are helping traditional investors access BTC “through familiar, compliant channels,” signaling a major step toward mainstream adoption.

Last week, U.S. spot BTC ETFs recorded $2.71 billion in weekly inflows, extending their strong “Uptober” performance and reflecting continued enthusiasm from both retail and institutional investors.

As corporate treasuries, fund managers, and sovereign entities continue to accumulate BTC at an accelerating pace, analysts say the trend points toward a maturing crypto market — one increasingly integrated into the global financial system.