In the midst of global financial instability, Bitcoin is increasingly being seen as a valuable strategic asset for businesses. A recent report by Bitcoin investment firm River reveals a significant uptick in companies acquiring Bitcoin, with adoption rates surging by 154% from 2024 to the present.
The article evaluates this growth, delves into the reasons driving this pattern, and shares the latest perspectives from experts and businesses.
Expansion in Bitcoin Adoption Across Businesses
As per River's data, more than 2,000 companies are leveraging the platform to amass Bitcoin, marking a noteworthy 154% expansion since 2024.
The sectors at the forefront of this trend encompass finance and investment (35.7%), technology (16.8%), professional and consulting services (16.5%), real estate and construction (9.7%), as well as fields like healthcare (3.7%) and energy, agriculture, and transportation (3.1%).
Industry Analysis of Firms Utilizing Bitcoin. Source: River.
This diversification indicates that Bitcoin is no longer confined to high-tech domains but has pervaded diverse industries. A notable instance is BlueCotton, a T-shirt printing company that employs Bitcoin in its operations. Furthermore, the fast-food chain Steak ‘n Shake commenced accepting Bitcoin payments across its U.S. outlets on May 16, 2025.
Reports also suggest that businesses have emerged as the foremost purchasers of Bitcoin, surpassing governments and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Why Businesses are Allocating Assets to Bitcoin?
The primary reason businesses are amassing Bitcoin is its ability to act as a hedge against inflation and safeguard value.
As inflation escalates and governments engage in extensive money printing, cash has significantly depreciated in value. River's analysis indicates that a company investing 3% of its assets in Bitcoin garnered a 20% real return between 2021 and 2025 due to inflation. In contrast, holding cash resulted in a 19% loss, and money market funds saw a 6.7% decline.
Real Returns on Bitcoin Holdings by Companies. Source: River.
"Bitcoin provides a distinctive avenue for diversification as a liquid, scarce asset limited to 21 million coins. This scarcity has historically allowed Bitcoin to outperform inflation substantially, rendering it an efficacious long-term store of value," highlights River's report.
For instance, the Argentine company Belo allocated 30% of its treasury to Bitcoin to combat the peso's 211% inflation.
Moreover, Bitcoin offers round-the-clock liquidity, granting businesses access to capital at all times, especially beneficial during crises such as the Silicon Valley Bank collapse in 2023, when many companies faced difficulties withdrawing their cash.
Another rationale is the mitigation of risk associated with the traditional banking system. Bitcoin empowers businesses to oversee their assets, mitigating third-party risks.
According to data from BitcoinTreasuries, private and public companies have amassed over 1 million BTC as of 2025. Standard Chartered forecasts that the accumulation activity by companies, governments, and ETFs could propel Bitcoin to $120,000 in Q2 2025.