Italian behemoth bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, acquires 11 units of Bitcoin
In a significant shift, the adoption of Bitcoin by private companies, public institutions, and governments worldwide is accelerating rapidly in 2025. This surge is driven by increased use in digital payments, institutional investment, and regulatory clarity.
Private companies are increasingly accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment, with the retail and food sectors leading the charge. According to recent surveys, approximately 34% of businesses now use cryptocurrency for transactions, signaling a shift from speculative activities to practical usage in commerce. The expansion of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms also facilitates business transactions without intermediaries.
Institutional investment in Bitcoin is growing steadily. Pension funds, insurance companies, and large banks are investing in Bitcoin-related financial products, including ETFs. Institutional holdings surpassed $27 billion in Bitcoin ETFs, representing a 114% increase over the previous quarter, reflecting strong confidence in Bitcoin as a portfolio asset and inflation hedge.
Governments and public sectors are also proactively supporting Bitcoin adoption. Cities such as Cannes are targeting up to 90% crypto adoption among merchants. Regulatory frameworks are becoming clearer and more inclusive in various countries, allowing for new ETFs and financial products, which fosters greater institutional and public sector engagement.
Crypto-friendly regions like Switzerland’s Crypto Valley, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Malta have become innovation and regulatory centers for blockchain and cryptocurrency businesses, attracting startups and established firms through favourable policies.
Optimistic forecasts by financial institutions predict Bitcoin prices rising to $135,000 or even $199,000 by the end of 2025, mainly driven by ETF flows and increased adoption, underlining strong market confidence fueled by broader acceptance in both private and public sectors.
Notable examples of companies embracing Bitcoin include Ming Shing, a Hong Kong-based construction firm, which purchased 500 BTC for around $47 million, and Intesa Sanpaolo, an Italian banking institution, which acquired 11 BTC for approximately €1 million, marking the first direct cryptocurrency transaction by an Italian banking institution.
MicroStrategy maintains the largest corporate Bitcoin holdings with 450,000 BTC (~$43.4 billion). Semler Scientific, a medtech firm listed on Nasdaq, acquired an additional 237 BTC valued at $23.3 million between December 10, 2024, and January 10, 2025.
As more governments and public institutions embrace Bitcoin, experts predict an expansion of national and corporate adoption in 2025. The U.S. is potentially considering creating a strategic Bitcoin fund, and at least one major economy is expected to move in a similar direction.
Thumzup Media, a publicly traded media company, purchased approximately 9.8 BTC for about $1 million, with each coin costing $102,220. Coinbase serves as custodian for Thumzup's Bitcoin. The company plans to allow freelancers to receive payment in Bitcoin and is expected to be added to The HODL Top 70.
Some governments, such as Japan, remain skeptical of digital assets due to their volatility. However, analysts predict more countries will adopt similar policies in 2025, with El Salvador and Bhutan already having official Bitcoin policies at the national level.
The Russian State Duma, the European Parliament, and Germany’s ex-Finance Minister Christian Lindner have voiced support for building Bitcoin reserves, indicating a growing global acceptance of the cryptocurrency.
In summary, 2025 is marked by a broadening acceptance of Bitcoin not only among individual users but also significantly among private companies and governments, supported by technological advances, growing payment utility, institutional investment, and evolving regulatory clarity.
Technology plays a pivotal role in the increased adoption of Bitcoin by private companies. For instance, Decentralized Finance (DeFi) platforms enable business transactions without intermediaries.
Governments and public institutions are proactively investing in Bitcoin, with institutional holdings surpassing $27 billion in Bitcoin ETFs, demonstrating growing confidence in Bitcoin as a portfolio asset and inflation hedge.
