Bitcoin’s biggest players made bold moves in 2025, significantly increasing their positions, underscoring strong long-term confidence in the digital asset.
According to new data from River, the top 21 Bitcoin holders accumulated a staggering 476,000 BTC worth $40 billion, boosting their collective stake to 2.57 million BTC, or 13.1% of the supply.
This massive wave of accumulation comes amid shifting macroeconomic conditions, growing institutional interest, and rising expectations for Bitcoin’s long-term value, raising fresh questions about what this means for the broader crypto market.
The data, sourced from Bitcointreasuries.net, Arkham Intelligence, and BitMEX Research, paints a picture of strategic buying by corporations, governments, and high-profile individuals, even as retail investors grappled with timing the market.
The report, visualized in a detailed infographic shared by Cointelegraph on X, highlights not just the scale of accumulation but also the evolving landscape of Bitcoin ownership.
New entrants like Japan’s Metaplanet and Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) made their debut on the list, while established players like MicroStrategy dominated the gains. Meanwhile, notable declines, such as Binance’s reduction, signal potential strategic pivots in the exchange sector.
However, the data underscores sustained whale accumulation as a bullish indicator, contrasting retail focus on market timing in replies. This substantial accumulation reflects sustained interest from major market participants, even amid evolving regulatory landscapes, macroeconomic uncertainty, and shifting investor sentiment.
The move highlights Bitcoin’s growing role as a strategic asset among high-net-worth individuals and institutions alike.
Below is a breakdown of the Top 21 Bitcoin Holders in 2025:
The River report ranks the top 21 holders based on their verified Bitcoin treasuries, excluding unconfirmed or speculative wallets.
Here’s a detailed look at the list, including their holdings, year-over-year changes in 2025, and percentage of total supply (assuming Bitcoin’s supply neared 19.6 million BTC by year-end, accounting for ongoing mining):
1. Satoshi Nakamoto – 968,000 BTC
The pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin remains the undisputed top holder. These holdings are attributed to early-mined coins that have remained dormant since Bitcoin’s inception in 2009. While Satoshi’s identity is unknown, their untouched stack symbolizes Bitcoin’s decentralized origins and serves as a reminder of the network’s scarcity.
2. MicroStrategy – 672,000 BTC
Leading the charge in corporate adoption, MicroStrategy under the guidance of Executive Chairman Michael Saylor added a staggering 226,000 BTC in 2025. This Virginia-based business intelligence firm has treated Bitcoin as its primary treasury asset since 2020, financing purchases through debt offerings and equity sales.
3. United States Government – 328,000 BTC
The U.S. government’s holdings stem primarily from seizures related to criminal activities, such as the Silk Road takedown and other illicit operations.
The 130,000 BTC addition in 2025 likely reflects increased enforcement actions against crypto-related crimes. This positions the U.S. as a major player, though debates rage over whether these assets should be auctioned or held as strategic reserves.
4. Block. one – 164,000 BTC
The company behind the EOS blockchain, Block. one holds a significant Bitcoin reserve from its ICO proceeds and investments. No changes in 2025 suggest a stable, long-term holding strategy amid their focus on other blockchain projects.
5. Tether – 98,000 BTC
As the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin (USDT), Tether added modestly to its Bitcoin reserves. This move diversifies their backing assets and underscores confidence in Bitcoin as a hedge against fiat volatility.
6. Mt. Gox Hacker – 80,000 BTC
These holdings trace back to the infamous 2014 Mt. Gox exchange hack, where hundreds of thousands of BTC were stolen. The wallet’s inactivity suggests the perpetrator(s) are either lying low or have lost access, but it remains a shadowy entry on the list.
7. Winklevoss Twins – 70,000 BTC
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, founders of the Gemini exchange, have been Bitcoin advocates since the early days. Their unchanged holdings reflect a buy-and-hold philosophy, bolstered by their ventures in crypto custody and regulation.
8. United Kingdom Government – 61,000 BTC
Similar to the U.S., the UK’s stash comes from law enforcement seizures. No additions in 2025 indicate steady management rather than active accumulation.
9. MARA (Marathon Digital Holdings) – 53,000 BTC
As one of the largest Bitcoin mining companies, MARA increased its holdings through mining operations and strategic buys, capitalizing on energy-efficient mining in North America.
10. Twenty One Capital – 44,000 BTC
This newcomer, a crypto-focused investment firm, burst onto the scene with a full 44,000 BTC acquisition, signaling aggressive entry into Bitcoin as an asset class.
11. Metaplane – 35,000 BTC
Japan’s Metaplanet, often dubbed the “Japanese MicroStrategy,” adopted Bitcoin as a treasury reserve in 2025 to combat yen inflation. Their rapid accumulation reflects growing corporate interest in Asia.
12. BSTR – 30,000 BTC
Details on BSTR are emerging, but it appears to be a Bitcoin-focused entity or fund that entered the market aggressively in 2025.
13. Tim Draper – 30,000 BTC
The venture capitalist and early Bitcoin buyer (famous for purchasing seized Silk Road BTC) held steady, focusing on long-term value.
14. Riot Platforms – 19,000 BTC
Another major miner, Riot expanded modestly through operations in Texas, emphasizing sustainable energy sources.
15. Michael Saylor – 18,000 BTC
Separate from MicroStrategy’s corporate holdings, Saylor’s personal stack underscores his personal commitment to Bitcoin maximalism.
16. Chinese Government – 15,000 BTC
Despite China’s crypto bans, these holdings are from past seizures, with no activity in 2025.
17. Coinbase – 15,000 BTC
The leading U.S. exchange added to its reserves, possibly for custody services or balance sheet strength.
18. Hut 8 – 14,000 BTC
This Canadian miner grew its holdings through expansion in North America.
19. CleanSpark – 13,000 BTC
Focused on green energy mining, CleanSpark’s gains highlight the sector’s push toward sustainability.
20. Binance – 13,000 BTC
The world’s largest exchange reduced its holdings significantly, possibly due to user withdrawals, regulatory pressures, or portfolio rebalancing sparking questions in the community about internal strategies.
21. Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) – 12,000 BTC
Associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump, TMTG’s entry into Bitcoin holdings aligns with pro-crypto rhetoric and could signal political integration into the space.
Key Trends and Shifts in 2025
The standout trend last year was institutional accumulation. MicroStrategy alone accounted for nearly half of the total additions, reinforcing Bitcoin’s role as “digital gold” for corporations hedging against inflation.
Newcomers like Metaplanet and TMTG illustrate geographic and sectoral diversification Japan’s entry counters its historical fiat reliance, while TMTG’s move ties into U.S. political narratives.
Conversely, Binance’s 35,000 BTC reduction stands out as a red flag. This reflects concerns over exchange liquidity or strategic sales. Governments (U.S., UK, China) represent about 2% of the supply collectively, raising questions about nation-state adoption.
Implications for the Bitcoin Market
This accumulation is a bullish indicator, suggesting whales anticipate further price appreciation despite short-term volatility. With Bitcoin’s supply capped at 21 million, controlling 13.1% means these holders wield significant influence over liquidity and market sentiment.
However, risks abound as regulatory scrutiny on corporate holdings, potential hacks, and macroeconomic factors could alter the landscape. The contrast between aggressive buyers and sellers like Binance highlights a maturing market where strategies diverge.
Conclusion
The report underscores Bitcoin’s transition from a niche asset to a mainstream treasury staple.
As institutions stack sats amid global uncertainty, the message is clear, accumulation isn’t just a trend, it’s a strategy.
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