Bitwise Predicts Institutional Holdings of Bitcoin to Reach 20% by 2026

By the end of 2026, institutional players, including governments and corporations, are expected to hold 20% of the total Bitcoin supply, approximately 4.2 million BTC, according to a report by Bitwise.

Analysts anticipate an influx of approximately $120 billion in institutional funds into Bitcoin in 2025, and around $300 billion in 2026. At current prices, this would amount to over 4.2 million BTC.

“Public companies using Bitcoin as a treasury asset have become a long-term source of demand for the cryptocurrency, enhancing its efficiency compared to others. We expect that by the end of 2026, more than 1 million BTC will be accumulated within this new paradigm,” the company emphasized.

Experts also predict the number of firms with Bitcoin reserves will double.

The report notes that the growth rate of AUM for spot ETFs based on Bitcoin has significantly outpaced that of gold counterparts.

“ETFs are the first step in a much larger transformation of the financial landscape. With the emergence of the first crypto-friendly administration in the U.S. and new leadership at the SEC ready to embrace innovation, the market is poised for more crypto products. There is potential for a wide range of new offerings in 2025,” added Bitwise.

Among potential launches, analysts highlighted multi-ETFs comprising several digital assets, as well as actively managed cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds.

The accumulation of institutional volume will also be facilitated by the recognition of Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset at the state level. The U.S. already holds 198,000 BTC, and the adoption of relevant legislation in the near future will expand the country’s reserves.

According to the Bitcoin Act, the United States will purchase 200,000 BTC annually. Bitwise’s scenario will also be supported by the emergence of Bitcoin reserves at the state level.

“While corporate adoption is in full swing, institutional investments through capital management platforms are just gaining momentum. These converging forces not only enhance Bitcoin’s role — they create a game theory dynamic accelerating our movement towards a hyper-bitcoinized future,” the company concluded.

Earlier, Bernstein predicted that companies’ Bitcoin holdings would grow to $330 billion by 2029.