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In 2025, around 50 million Americans own Bitcoin, surpassing gold ownership and marking a major shift in asset preference.
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Bitcoin’s ease of storage, transfer, and institutional backing positions it as a modern alternative to gold as a reserve asset.
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The US leads global Bitcoin adoption with 40% of firms, 94.8% of miners, and 82% of developers based domestically.
Americans now own more Bitcoin than gold, with approximately 50 million Americans holding Bitcoin compared to 37 million owning gold.
Bitcoin Surpasses Gold in US Ownership
A May 20 report from Bitcoin investment firm River emphasizes that the US is leading the way in Bitcoin adoption, with significant investments and infrastructure supporting its dominance. Bitcoin’s outperformance over gold in American ownership marks a significant milestone, signaling a major shift in public perception of investment assets.
The report also highlights that the US is at the forefront globally in adopting Bitcoin, with 40% of global Bitcoin companies headquartered there. Also, American firms account for 94.8% of all Bitcoin owned by publicly traded firms worldwide.
This reflects the US’s strong investment in Bitcoin infrastructure, from startups and ETFs to policies supporting cryptocurrency.
Another noteworthy point is the trend of considering Bitcoin as a modern reserve asset alternative to gold. River’s report shows that Bitcoin is becoming an “underestimated pillar” of American economic dominance.
With 790 billion USD worth of Bitcoin held by Americans, Bitcoin is not just an investment asset. It is also integrated into the nation’s economic plans and financial systems.
“Bitcoin is an underestimated pillar of American dominance. Americans have a larger estimated share of the bitcoin supply than of global wealth, GDP, or gold reserves,” River stated.
Growing confidence in Bitcoin is reinforced by factors such as the ease of digital storage and transfer and expectations that the US might establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve, as proposed by some politicians. This indicates that Bitcoin is gradually reshaping how Americans perceive safe-haven assets during economic uncertainty, surpassing the traditional role of gold.
Moody’s US credit downgrade ends a century of top ratings, boosting Bitcoin’s appeal as a hedge against fiscal instability.
However, this shift also raises questions about sustainability and risks. While Bitcoin is considered a safe-haven asset, its price volatility may make some investors cautious. Nevertheless, with support from major financial institutions like BlackRock and an increasingly clear regulatory framework, Bitcoin is solidifying its position in the US.
Conclusion
As Bitcoin emerges as a dominant player in the investment landscape, its growing adoption among Americans indicates a profound shift in asset preference. The ease of access and increasing institutional backing further underscore Bitcoin’s potential as a safe-haven asset. While challenges remain, the future looks promising for Bitcoin as it continues to redefine financial paradigms.
