MILESTONE | Institutions Now Hold Over 10% of All Bitcoin as Demand Outpaces Mining by 10x

Institutional investors are accumulating Bitcoin at an unprecedented pace – and they now control more than 10% of its total supply.

According to new data from HODL15Capital, institutions collectively hold over 2.3 million BTC, or roughly $135 billion at current market prices. That figure includes holdings from major U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs such as BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), Grayscale’s GBTC, Fidelity’s FBTC, and corporate treasuries like MicroStrategy, among others.

To put this in perspective:

* Six months ago (January 2025), total institutional holdings stood at just over 1.8 million BTC, prior to the launch of most U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs.

• One year ago (July 2024), institutional holdings were closer to 1.4 million BTC, dominated primarily by GBTC and a handful of corporate holders.

This means institutional holdings have grown by more than 64% in the past year and by 27% in just the last six months – a sharp acceleration fueled by regulatory approval, growing mainstream adoption, and intensified demand for regulated crypto exposure.

Demand Outpaces Mining by a Factor of 10

The buying pressure is now significantly outstripping Bitcoin’s daily supply. With only 900 BTC mined each day following the April 2024 halving, spot ETFs alone are absorbing over 9,000 BTC daily – a 10:1 demand-to-supply ratio.

This mismatch is historically rare and could have major implications for Bitcoin’s price trajectory. With institutions steadily accumulating and refusing to sell, Bitcoin’s liquid supply continues to shrink – setting the stage for a potential supply shock if retail demand returns in full force.

Leading the charge on the corporate side is MicroStrategy, which has added 14,620 BTC in the past month alone, bringing its total holdings to more than 226,000 BTC. CEO Michael Saylor continues to frame Bitcoin as a superior store of value – and his strategy seems to be influencing other publicly traded companies and treasury managers to follow suit.

Speaking to BitKE, Farzam Ehsani, Co-Founder & CEO of VALR, the largest crypto exchange in South Africa by trade volume, said:

“Rather than the next step in the evolution of crypto, this growth reflects a broadening of crypto’s appeal, expanding the spectrum of investors and investment methods. Crypto’s strength lies in its flexibility and optionality, catering to varied risk appetites and perspectives. Self-custody of Bitcoin and other crypto assets remains foundational for financial sovereignty, empowering individuals and households.

Simultaneously, global exchanges are maturing as regulations enhance compliance, security, and market integrity. ETPs, including ETFs, provide accessible entry points for retail and institutional investors, further integrating crypto into traditional capital markets.

This multi-faceted adoption is how crypto becomes a cornerstone of the global economy, ultimately creating an inclusive financial system that belongs to and serves everyone.”

The Bigger Picture

The institutional rush into Bitcoin began in earnest with the SEC’s approval of spot ETFs in January 2025, a watershed moment that provided a compliant gateway for pension funds, RIAs, and sovereign wealth funds. Since then, ETF inflows have been consistently strong, and demand shows no signs of slowing down.

With supply shrinking post-halving and institutional conviction rising, many analysts view this accumulation trend as the most bullish macro setup Bitcoin has seen in years.

Stay tuned to BitKE Updates from across Africa.

Join our WhatsApp channel here.

___________________________________________