Bitcoin's price recently surged past $95,000 following major institutional purchases, signaling a new wave of accumulation. Over $164 billion in BTC is now held by public entities, with corporations,Bitcoin's price recently surged past $95,000 following major institutional purchases, signaling a new wave of accumulation. Over $164 billion in BTC is now held by public entities, with corporations,

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Who Is Buying Up BTC? Major Bitcoin Holders Revealed

Author: MEXC

Intermediate

Jan 26, 2026MEXC

FUTURE$0.10907+27.59%

Bitcoin's price recently surged past $95,000 following major institutional purchases, signaling a new wave of accumulation.

Over $164 billion in BTC is now held by public entities, with corporations, governments, and wealthy individuals driving unprecedented demand.

Understanding who's buying Bitcoin helps investors predict market direction and identify emerging trends.

This article reveals the major players stockpiling BTC and what their strategies mean for the cryptocurrency's future.

Key Takeaways

Strategy leads corporate Bitcoin accumulation with 687,410 BTC worth $66 billion.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs posted record $754 million in single-day inflows, led by BlackRock's IBIT.
Governments collectively hold over 600,000 BTC, with the US holding 325,293 BTC from law enforcement seizures.
Individual Bitcoin whales like Satoshi Nakamoto control approximately 1.1 million BTC across dormant wallets.
Corporate Bitcoin holdings surged 159% year-over-year as companies seek inflation hedges.
Nations including Brazil and Kyrgyzstan are passing legislation to add Bitcoin to national reserves.

Corporate Giants Buying Up BTC at Record Pace

Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, dominates the corporate Bitcoin landscape with 687,410 BTC valued at approximately $66 billion.

The company just completed its largest purchase since July, acquiring $1.3 billion worth of Bitcoin at an average price of $75,000 per coin.

Strategy's aggressive accumulation strategy involves selling new shares directly to investors rather than deploying existing cash reserves.

This approach allows the company to raise capital specifically for Bitcoin purchases without diluting its treasury.

The firm currently sits on roughly $14 billion in unrealized profits from its Bitcoin holdings.

MARA Holdings ranks second among public companies with 53,250 BTC, followed by Twenty One Capital with 43,514 BTC.

Tesla maintains over 11,000 BTC despite reducing its position from earlier peaks, while Coinbase Global holds 14,548 BTC as part of its operational strategy.

Corporations are buying up BTC for several compelling reasons beyond simple speculation.

Bitcoin offers superior returns compared to traditional treasury assets like bonds, which often struggle to outpace inflation.

Companies also view Bitcoin as a hedge against currency devaluation and a way to enhance shareholder value through capital appreciation.

The trend is accelerating rapidly, with corporate Bitcoin holdings increasing 159% year-over-year according to CoinGecko data.

Nearly 40% of the top 100 Bitcoin treasury companies now trade at premium valuations, reflecting strong investor confidence in their accumulation strategies.

Who Is Buying Up BTC? Institutional Investors and ETFs

1. Bitcoin ETF Inflows Drive Institutional Buying

Spot Bitcoin ETFs posted $754 million in single-day inflows recently, marking the largest daily accumulation since October.

BlackRock's IBIT product led the charge with $127 million in new investments, demonstrating sustained institutional appetite for Bitcoin exposure.

These ETF vehicles have removed traditional barriers that previously prevented large institutions from buying Bitcoin directly.

Custody concerns, regulatory uncertainty, and operational complexity no longer deter major financial players from gaining exposure.

2. Financial Institutions Enter the Bitcoin Market

Grayscale Bitcoin Trust remains a significant institutional holder with approximately 187,000 BTC under management.

The trust allows accredited investors to buy shares at net asset value during private placements, then sell to retail investors after lock-up periods expire.

Fidelity, the $6 trillion asset manager, has positioned itself as a major advocate for Bitcoin adoption among institutional clients.

3. Where Are Institutions Buying Bitcoin?

US-based companies dominate the top 100 Bitcoin holders, reflecting America's mature capital markets and regulatory clarity.

Asian corporations are rapidly increasing their positions, with Japan's MetaPlanet holding 35,102 BTC, making it the seventh-largest public holder worldwide.

MetaPlanet recently approached the 637 yen share price threshold that triggers its Moving Strike Warrant program, allowing it to issue up to 105 million new shares for additional Bitcoin purchases.

European institutional interest continues expanding as regulatory frameworks like MiCA provide clearer guidelines for cryptocurrency investments.

Future Outlook for Institutional Bitcoin Purchases

Strategy's CEO Phong Le believes 2026 could unleash a wave of Bitcoin buying by national treasuries seeking to diversify reserves.

Bank adoption and nation-state purchases are expected to increase significantly as competitive pressure mounts among countries.

Fidelity executive Chris Kuiper suggests that if more countries adopt Bitcoin for foreign exchange reserves, others will feel compelled to follow.

Governments Buying Up BTC for National Reserves

The United States government holds 325,293 BTC, primarily acquired through law enforcement seizures from criminal operations like Silk Road.

China holds 190,000 BTC obtained through confiscations, while the United Kingdom holds 61,245 BTC.

El Salvador has pursued the most aggressive sovereign Bitcoin strategy, accumulating 7,474 BTC after adopting it as legal tender in 2021.

The Central American nation continues purchasing Bitcoin regularly despite market volatility, viewing it as a hedge against US dollar inflation.

Bhutan holds 10,789 BTC acquired through government-sponsored mining operations powered by the country's abundant hydroelectric resources.

Ukraine possesses 46,351 BTC, making it one of the largest sovereign holders globally.

Legislative momentum is building worldwide, with Brazil and Kyrgyzstan recently passing laws enabling Bitcoin purchases for national reserves.

These developments signal a fundamental shift in how governments view cryptocurrency as a legitimate reserve asset.

Nations are buying up BTC to diversify away from US dollar dominance, protect against inflation, and position themselves technologically for the digital economy.

Competitive pressure plays a significant role, as countries fear falling behind early adopters who may benefit from Bitcoin's long-term appreciation.

Fidelity's outlook report on cryptocurrency trends specifically names this phenomenon as a key driver of future Bitcoin demand from sovereign entities.

Bitcoin Whales and High-Net-Worth Buyers

Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin's pseudonymous creator, remains the largest individual holder with approximately 1.1 million BTC spread across 22,000 wallet addresses.

These coins have never moved since being mined during Bitcoin's earliest days, and any transfer would likely cause significant market turbulence.

The Winklevoss Twins, Cameron and Tyler, hold an estimated 70,000 BTC acquired through early investments and their $65 million Facebook settlement.

The brothers co-founded Gemini cryptocurrency exchange in 2015, establishing themselves as major players in the digital currency industry.

Venture capitalist Tim Draper owns at least 29,500 BTC purchased through a 2014 US Marshals auction of Silk Road confiscated coins.

Michael Saylor, Strategy's executive chairman, publicly disclosed holding 17,732 BTC in 2020, though his current holdings may have changed.

Bitcoin whales are addresses holding at least 1,000 BTC, and their numbers continue growing as wealthy individuals accumulate during market cycles.

Long-term holder supply has reached all-time highs, while exchange balances decline, indicating that large holders are buying and storing Bitcoin in cold wallets.

High-net-worth individuals are buying up BTC for portfolio diversification beyond traditional assets like stocks, bonds, and real estate.

The "digital gold" narrative has strengthened considerably, with Bitcoin increasingly viewed as a hedge against monetary inflation and currency devaluation.

Wealthy investors also see Bitcoin as a generational wealth preservation tool that offers portability and censorship resistance unavailable in traditional assets.

FAQ

Which company owns the most Bitcoin?

Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) owns 687,410 BTC, making it the largest corporate holder.

How much Bitcoin do governments own?

Governments collectively hold over 600,000 BTC, with the US holding 325,293 BTC.

Why are companies buying Bitcoin instead of bonds?

Bitcoin historically delivers superior returns compared to bonds while hedging against inflation.

What is a Bitcoin proxy company?

A company whose stock price correlates with Bitcoin's value due to significant BTC holdings.

How do institutions buy large amounts of Bitcoin?

Institutions use OTC desks, spot ETFs, and direct purchases funded through share sales or debt.

Who bought the most Bitcoin recently?

Strategy purchased $1.3 billion worth of Bitcoin in its largest acquisition since July.

Conclusion

Corporations led by Strategy dominate Bitcoin accumulation, while institutional ETF inflows accelerate at record pace.

Government adoption is entering early stages as nations recognize Bitcoin's potential for reserve diversification.

Individual whales continue holding long-term, reducing available supply and creating potential price pressure.

The convergence of corporate, institutional, sovereign, and individual buying creates a diverse buyer base supporting Bitcoin's long-term value proposition.

As these trends intensify through 2026, understanding who is buying up BTC becomes essential for navigating cryptocurrency markets and identifying investment opportunities on platforms like MEXC.

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