Bitcoin price fluctuates but adoption hits new highs: institutions, banks, and countries accelerate BTC reserve deployment

February 25 News: Financial services company River’s latest report shows that although Bitcoin’s price has fallen about 50% from its all-time high, the global adoption rate of Bitcoin continues to rise in 2025. Institutions, banks, publicly listed companies, and sovereign funds are accelerating their BTC allocations, gradually transforming Bitcoin into a mainstream store of value. The report states that the growth rate of Bitcoin trustworthiness has surpassed most traditional assets, and its adoption process is still in an expansion phase rather than entering a recession cycle.

Data indicates that by 2025, institutions will hold approximately 829,000 BTC, including corporate balance sheets, government reserves, funds, and related financial products. Registered investment advisors have been net buying Bitcoin for eight consecutive quarters, with an average quarterly inflow of about $1.5 billion over the past two years, demonstrating that long-term capital is continuously entering the digital asset market through compliant channels. Meanwhile, about 60% of major US banks are developing Bitcoin custody, investment, and payment-related products, benefiting from a clearer crypto regulatory environment.

At the corporate level, Bitcoin treasury companies have become significant buyers, increasing their Bitcoin holdings by approximately 2.5 times over the past year. Merchant adoption is also accelerating, with the number of US companies accepting Bitcoin payments doubling, and global Bitcoin usage rising by about 74% in 2025. Lightning Network transaction activity has increased significantly, with annual payment volume growing around 300%, and monthly transaction volume exceeding $1.1 billion, further strengthening Bitcoin’s practical value as a payment network.

On the national level, new changes are also emerging. River estimates that 23 countries are now engaging with Bitcoin through state-supported mining, asset seizures, or official holdings, including sovereign wealth funds and central bank participants. Meanwhile, Bitcoin volatility has gradually decreased, approaching the levels of gold and the S&P 500, reducing the entry barriers for risk-sensitive capital. The report believes that with increased institutional allocations, bank productization, and the expansion of the Bitcoin payment ecosystem, Bitcoin adoption is expected to accelerate in the coming years, continuously reinforcing its market position as digital gold and a long-term store of value.