More Americans now own Bitcoin than gold — 50 million Bitcoin holders versus 37 million gold owners, according to a new report from River.
The Holdings:
Americans hold 40% of the world's Bitcoin supply, far outpacing any other country. The average Bitcoin holder has $11,089 in the asset, compared to just $1,512 for gold owners.
Institutional Adoption:
Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Vanguard have opened Bitcoin ETF distribution to clients this year. Goldman Sachs reports that 71% of institutional investors plan to increase their crypto allocation over the next 12 months.
The Policy Catalyst:
The CLARITY Act is nearing a final Senate vote, which could grant Bitcoin permanent legal status in the US. A survey found that 4 in 5 Americans support converting some portion of US gold reserves into Bitcoin.
The Speed of Adoption:
Bitcoin ETFs reached $10 billion in assets in just seven weeks. The first gold ETF took more than two years to hit that mark.
The Geopolitical Angle:
Bitwise CIO argues Bitcoin's addressable market may be larger than gold's $38 trillion. The weaponization of SWIFT and financial sanctions against Iran is strengthening Bitcoin's case as an "apolitical alternative."
Bottom Line:
The Strait is still contested. Oil is still high. But a new reserve asset is emerging — and Americans are already holding it.
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