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The price action in Bitcoin and the broader crypto markets since October has shown significant weakness.
However, Bitcoin adoption across the board was sharply higher in 2025 from the year prior. As it trades around the $65,000 and is almost 50% off its all-time highs, Bitcoin's recent performance could appear disappointing.
Nevertheless, according to a new analysis by River, the adoption patterns for 2025 offer a far more positive picture.
Despite market difficulties, the research company claims that the spread of the network among institutions, enterprises, financial experts, and even nations has increased during the past year.
The level of institutional bets is one area that has changed significantly. Institutions bought more than 829,000 Bitcoin in 2025, said River. Institutions linked to the government, investment firms, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and private enterprises were among the top purchasers through 2025.
The function of financial consultants as steady buyers has also expanded. The River report showed that over the past eight quarters consecutively, professionals in the field have been increasing their net exposure to Bitcoin, managing client assets that total nearly $146 trillion.
Their participation ramped up in 2024, when spot Bitcoin ETFs were first introduced.
Investment advisers have been pouring about $1.5 billion into Bitcoin ETFs every quarter for the past two years, yet they have never sold any of their holdings.
With 29 out of the top 30 US corporations having some kind of exposure to Bitcoin, adoption is already rather strong among this group. However, the present allocations are modest, averaging only about 0.008% of assets under management.
So, if anything, there is room for improvement.
Traditional banks are getting on board with the asset more and more. Reportedly, Bitcoin-related products are in the works at almost 60% of the top US banks.
Additionally, there was a significant uptick in usage among corporations. Among publicly traded organisations, Bitcoin ownership increased 2.5-fold in 2025, making these companies the year's top net purchasers.
River indicates that many reputable organizations have been discreetly investing smaller amounts of Bitcoin, yet the bulk of this demand has originated from companies holding Bitcoin in their treasuries.
The anticipated adoption of balance sheets is projected to increase across the S&P 500 in the years ahead, as indicated by the business.
A dramatic increase has been seen in the use of merchant services. In 2025, the number of U.S. businesses accepting Bitcoin payments tripled, while worldwide, merchant usage increased by a substantial 74%.
The majority of the expansion is occurring in privately held, smaller companies, according to River, which serves more than 3,000 enterprises in different industries.
Many of these companies choose to keep their Bitcoin plans under wraps.
What About Countries?
An increasing number of countries are now engaging in cryptocurrencies.
In 2025, there was a notable rise in the number of nations adopting Bitcoin, with an increase of five countries. This group included the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and Saudi Arabia, all of which were highlighted through their sovereign wealth funds.
In addition to government-backed mining projects, direct acquisitions, exposure through ETFs, asset confiscations, charity gifts, and recoveries tied to hacking events, authorities have also amassed Bitcoin via other means.
River emphasized that there is a clear gap between adoption rates and pricing outcomes. This growth stage might not manifest as significant price multiples at this moment, but it certainly indicates advancement.
River in the report noted that "We expect that in the coming years, Bitcoin adoption will not only continue its current trend but meaningfully accelerate."
Investment advisors have consistently increased their investment in Bitcoin. That is despite the cryptocurrency being set for its fifth consecutive month of declines in February.
But if history is anything to go by, a probable turnaround by April is suggested by the fact that the longest losing run in history lasted six months.
Bitcoin is currently at a critical turning point.
Following the loss of crucial support and movement into range extremes, the market is now presented with a distinct choice: either regain the range highs and redirect momentum upward, or falter and move toward new weekly lows.
The next move from this point is expected to influence Bitcoin's immediate trajectory.
Blockcast – Licensed to Shill: How Energy & Geopolitics Are Building a Bitcoin-Driven World, ft. Bitcoin Arabia's Lara Eggimann & Jeff Gorman
The Middle East is poised to become a pivotal hub in the global cryptocurrency ecosystem. Countries within the region are increasingly recognizing the strategic importance of integrating blockchain technology into their economic frameworks, energy markets, and geopolitical strategies, according to Lara Eggimann and Jeff Gorman, co-founders of Bitcoin Arabia, a strategic Bitcoin advisory and ecosystem builder that connects the global Bitcoin industry with the Middle East’s most powerful stakeholders.
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