Who Really Owns Bitcoin in 2025? A Look at Global Holders
For years, the big question has been: Who actually controls Bitcoin?
According to a fresh analysis by River Financial (August 2025), Bitcoin ownership is still dominated by everyday investors, despite rapid institutional entry. Individuals account for nearly 66% of all circulating BTC (around 13.8 million coins).
Meanwhile, investment funds and ETFs hold about 7.8%, businesses own 6.2%, and governments collectively store around 1.5% of Bitcoin in their treasuries.
This breakdown tells us two things:
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Decentralization remains intact – Bitcoin is still mostly in the hands of the public, not just large corporations.
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Institutions are catching up – ETFs and funds are expanding their stake, signaling growing mainstream legitimacy.
👉 Takeaway for investors: While Bitcoin becomes more institutionalized, the retail crowd is still the backbone of this digital economy. That balance may shift in coming years, but for now, Bitcoin remains true to its original spirit of open participation.
