TLDR
- River reported that institutions and corporations accumulated 829000 BTC in 2025 despite a sharp price decline.
- The report stated that Bitcoin traded nearly 50% below its October peak while adoption reached record levels.
- Businesses added about $54 billion in Bitcoin to their balance sheets during the year.
- Registered investment advisors remained net buyers for eight consecutive quarters and directed steady inflows into Bitcoin ETFs.
- River said that 60% of the top US banks are building Bitcoin products under a supportive regulatory environment.
River Financial reported record Bitcoin adoption levels in 2025 despite a steep price decline. The firm said institutions and corporations accumulated 829,000 BTC during the year. The report states that adoption continued to expand even as the Bitcoin price traded nearly 50% below its October peak.
Institutional Accumulation Expands as Bitcoin Adoption Grows
River reported that institutions remained net buyers throughout the year’s volatility. The category includes businesses, governments, funds, and exchange-traded funds.
The report states that institutions accumulated 829,000 BTC during 2025. Businesses alone added about $54 billion in Bitcoin to corporate balance sheets.
River said 60% of the top US banks are building Bitcoin products. A supportive regulatory environment has allowed banks to custody Bitcoin directly.
The firm stated, “There is no bear market in Bitcoin adoption.” Registered investment advisors have remained net buyers for eight consecutive quarters.
These advisors allocated about $1.5 billion into Bitcoin ETFs each quarter over two years. ETF holders kept positions despite the nearly 50% correction from October highs.
River said trust in Bitcoin has “grown faster than that of any asset in history.” The firm described the asset as a globally recognized store of value.
Corporate and Sovereign Buyers Drive Market Structure Shift
River reported that merchant adoption rose 74% worldwide during 2025. Merchant usage in the United States tripled, driven by small private firms.
The report states that five nation-states initiated Bitcoin holdings in 2025. Luxembourg and Saudi Arabia were among the countries listed.
Sovereign wealth funds began treating Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset. They now hold it alongside gold and foreign currencies.
River said this institutionalization gives “millions of underlying individuals” indirect exposure. Pension funds and retirement plans now hold Bitcoin through structured products.
The firm stated that long-term holders reduce short-term trading pressure. These buyers typically maintain multi-year investment horizons.
River reported that hedge funds increased Bitcoin positions during downturns. The firm said funds sought long-term value during lower price levels.
The report argues that continued institutional absorption could reduce available supply. Institutions currently acquire Bitcoin at an annual pace of 829,000 BTC.
River stated that a shrinking liquid supply may support a stronger price floor. The firm based this view on ongoing institutional demand data from 2025.
