In recent years, bitcoin (BTC) has gained popularity as not only a speculative asset, but also a safe haven – something that allows you to store value for many years. That is why large companies such as Tesla and MicroStrategy started investing in cryptocurrency. Which companies have the most BTC, how much have they invested this year and why do they decide on such an investment strategy?
Bitcoin? Yes, we need it!
I’ll start with a fundamental issue: why are large companies investing in Bitcoin today? First, bitcoin has become a hedge against inflation. Of course, in the long term.
All this is the result of the fact that traditional fiat currencies, such as the dollar, euro or zloty, lose their value in the long term. At a time when central banks are periodically printing huge amounts of money to stimulate the economy, the risk of depreciation of fiat currencies is increasing. Bitcoin, with a limited supply of 21 million coins, is today often referred to as “digital gold”. This makes it a natural hedge against inflation.
However, protection against inflation alone is not everything. In addition, there is diversification of the investment portfolio. Large companies managing huge financial resources must diversify their investment portfolios to minimize the risk of losses resulting not only from inflation, but also from declines in the value of e.g. shares or bonds held. Bitcoin is simply an interesting addition to their portfolios.
Cryptocurrency also allows you to partially change the type of business you run. For example, MicroStrategy, operating in the software industry, made BTC a key element of its financial strategy, which attracted the attention of investors and the media. Today, it is one of the most famous companies in the world, whose shares are treated as an alternative to buying bitcoins and BTC ETF units.
The largest companies that invest in bitcoin (and how much they invest)
Now let’s analyze which companies hold the most BTC and by how much cryptocurrency they increased their portfolio in 2024. This will allow you to fully understand why they decide to take such an investment step.
1. MicoStrategy – 439,000 BTC (this year added: 249,150 BTC)
The company already mentioned and founded in 1989 by Michael Saylor is a leader when it comes to investing in bitcoin. After recent purchases, he has 423,650 BTC. Its strategy is based on the recognition of BTC as the main store of value and hedge against inflation. The latest purchases were financed through the issue and sale of 5.42 million shares of the company. The company paid a total of approximately USD 25.6 billion for all its BTC holdings. The average purchase price for a single bitcoin is approximately $60,324.
The company creates analytical software. It will soon be added to the NASDAQ-100 index, which means that thanks to its investments in BTC, it is one of the hundred largest technology companies in the USA, and therefore – in the world.
This year, the company purchased a total of 249,150 BTC.
2. Marathon Digital – 44,394 BTC (+ 29,220 BTC)
Marathon Digital Holdings is one of the largest and most famous bitcoin (BTC) mining companies in the world. In mining, it uses advanced technologies and energy-efficient solutions. It is also listed on the stock exchange. Its activity is based not only on mining itself, but also on BTC mining. There are many indications that it may gain significantly during the upcoming term of office of Donald Trump, who has promised to strengthen the mining industry in the US.
This year, the company purchased a total of 29,220 BTC.
3. Riot Platforms – 17,429 BTC (+ 10,071 BTC)
Riot Platforms, Inc. is another representative of the mining market on this list. This American cryptocurrency mining company is one of the largest players in the mining industry in the United States and around the world. It has data centers in North America, Texas. These objects provide high computing power (hashrate), crucial for processing transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain.
This year, the company purchased a total of 10,071 BTC.
4. Hut 8 Mining – 10,096 BTC (+983 BTC)
Hut 8 Mining is one of the largest – yes, another – bitcoin mining companies. However, unlike the miners previously presented here, it operates in Canada. It is also listed on the stock exchange. Interestingly, its name was inspired by the name of the workplace of the creator of the first computer in history, Alan Turing. During World War II, he worked in the “Hut 8” building, where work was carried out on deciphering the Enigma code.
This year, the company purchased a total of 983 BTC.
5. Tesla – 9,720 BTC (unchanged)
Tesla is the most famous company on this list. It is headed by none other than Elon Musk. It produces electric cars. In fact, it could be much higher in this ranking, maybe even number one, since it started buying around the same time as MicroStrategy. It acquired its first coins in 2021. But then it sold some of its crypto assets when Musk “discovered” that the bitcoin mining process is energy-intensive and therefore environmentally unfriendly. He promised that the company would return to the market as soon as mining becomes more ecological.
This year, the company did not buy additional BTC.
6. Coinbase – 9,480 BTC (unchanged)
This is the first cryptocurrency exchange that I mention in this list. It was founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong and is based in San Francisco, California. It plays a key role in the cryptocurrency market today. It allows users to buy, sell, store and manage cryptocurrencies. Additionally, he is behind numerous social and political organizations. During the last congressional campaign, she organized an initiative to support pro-Bitcoin congressional candidates. She presented reports with data that showed that cryptocurrency fans are already a coherent electorate in the US.
This year, the company did not buy additional BTC.
7. CleanSpark – 9,297 BTC (+ 6,986 BTC)
CleanSpark was founded in 1987 as an energy management solutions company. A few years ago, however, the company changed its business profile and entered the cryptocurrency mining market. Thanks to its previous achievements, it quickly gained importance. Today, in addition to mining BTC, he is also involved in cryptocurrency mining.
This year, the company purchased a total of 6,986 BTC.
8. Block – 8,363 BTC (+ 336 BTC)
Block (formerly Square) is a company based in San Francisco. It was founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey. It is behind a payment platform that allows you to accept credit card payments and use smartphones or tablets as payment records. This year she announcedthat it has completed work on an advanced bitcoin mining chip, thus preparing to enter the mining field.
Jack Dorsey is a famous supporter of bitcoin. He’s also the same person who founded Twitter years ago.
This year, the company purchased a total of 336 BTC.
9. Bitcoin Group SE – 3,589 BTC (unchanged)
Bitcoin Group SE is a holding company that engages in the acquisition, sale and management of investments. It was launched in 2008 and its headquarters is in Herford, Germany. He is a co-owner of the Bitcoin.de cryptocurrency exchange and the Futurum bank. The merger of these two entities led to the creation of the “first German cryptobank”.
This year, the company did not buy additional BTC.
10. Boyaa Interactive International Limited – 3,183 BTC (+ 3,183 BTC)
Boyaa Interactive International is a Hong Kong-based company known for its online card and board games market. She made the decision to invest in cryptocurrencies at the end of 2023. Her bitcoin reserve began to build up this year. Interestingly, the company actively trades assets – on November 29, it exchanged its ethers for bitcoins – it exchanged 14,200 ETH, then valued at over USD 49 million, for approximately 515 BTC.
This year, the company purchased a total of 3,183 BTC.
Summary: why do companies need bitcoins?
By analyzing the business profiles of the above companies, we can come to a few conclusions. Companies invest in BTC to diversify their investments, but also to have exposure to an innovative market (such as Bitcoin Group SE). In addition, there is protection against inflation. Companies like MicroStrategy see bitcoin as a way to protect capital against the depreciation of fiat currency value, as well as increase their own value, which attracts investors to them.
In turn, companies from the BTC mining market, such as Marathon Digital, Riot Platforms, Hut 8 Mining and CleanSpark, focus on bitcoin mining, which allows them to generate significant profits. Mining BTC at a relatively low cost makes hodling profitable for them.
In addition, there are companies such as Block and Coinbase that are developing ecosystems based on bitcoin and blockchain. For them, Bitcoin is not only an investment asset, but also the basis for new business models.
Investments in Bitcoin bring many benefits to companies: from protecting capital against inflation, through generating additional profits, to strengthening their innovative image. The examples of the above entities show that more market giants may invest their capital in BTC in the future.
You can buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in a simple and safe way on the zondacrypto exchange.
