New ETF Targets Companies Holding Bitcoin: A Strategic Shift in Crypto Adoption

Spot Bitcoin ETFs may have dominated 2024, but 2025 could see a new trend emerging: corporations leveraging Bitcoin as a reserve asset. Bitwise Asset Management is leading the charge by filing with the US SEC for a new ETF focusing on publicly listed companies holding Bitcoin on their balance sheets.

MicroStrategy and Tesla are early adopters of this strategy, reshaping Bitcoin from a speculative investment to a strategic asset. “The Bitcoin treasury operations virus is spreading,” remarked Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store.

The Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF

If approved, the ETF will track companies meeting strict criteria: holding at least 1,000 BTC and a market cap exceeding $100 million.

Leading Players

MicroStrategy leads the pack with 444,262 Bitcoin worth $43 billion, guided by Executive Chairman Michael Saylor. Since adopting its Bitcoin strategy in 2020, the company’s stock has soared 30x.

Other leaders include US Bitcoin miners like Marathon Digital, Riot Platforms, and CleanSpark. Marathon, the largest corporate Bitcoin holder among miners, owns 44,394 BTC.

New entrants like KULR Technology Group are also joining the trend. KULR recently purchased 217 BTC, with its stock surging 60% after the announcement. CEO Michael Mo expressed gratitude to Saylor for pioneering this strategy.

Skeptics Remain

Despite growing adoption, many large-cap companies remain hesitant. Microsoft shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to add Bitcoin to its balance sheet, citing volatility and liquidity concerns. Similarly, Amazon has been targeted by advocates pushing for Bitcoin adoption, arguing its potential as a hedge against inflation.

Bitgalactic’s Perspective

This shift underscores Bitcoin’s evolution into a mainstream financial asset. Bitgalactic believes the success of these strategies hinges on market stability and regulatory clarity. Companies like MicroStrategy have set a compelling example, but wider corporate adoption will depend on balancing risk and reward.

In an era where digital assets reshape the financial landscape, initiatives like the Bitwise ETF could further bridge traditional markets and the crypto ecosystem. Investors should watch closely as this trend unfolds.