Bitcoin Adoption Surges Among Businesses as Inflation Hedge

A recent report by River, a business-focused Bitcoin firm, reveals that companies are allocating 22% of their profits to Bitcoin (BTC) on average. This trend is attributed to Bitcoin's resilience compared to other assets in the face of rising inflation.

The study, conducted by Sam Baker and Vincent Lee, highlights how businesses view Bitcoin as a means to preserve the value of their earnings. Based on a July 2025 survey of River's business clients, the median allocation to BTC stands at 10%.

Companies are currently grappling with challenges in income allocation. Traditional approaches like issuing dividends or reinvesting in growth are perceived as risky due to the current economic climate and could potentially weaken balance sheets. To address this, businesses are focusing on strengthening their financial positions, with Bitcoin emerging as a preferred solution.

The report states:

"The most effective way to build financial resilience is by holding assets that preserve long-term value. In this context, bitcoin has emerged as a preferred way to retain earnings."

Notably, Bitcoin's appreciation over time has resulted in it becoming the majority of treasury assets for many of these businesses. The survey indicates that 63.69% of respondents view BTC as a long-term investment with no plans to sell in the foreseeable future.

Corporate Bitcoin Acquisitions Exceed $43 Billion in 2025

The report also highlights that businesses have been a major driving force behind the current Bitcoin bull run. In the first eight months of 2025, the value of BTC entering companies' balance sheets reached $43.5 billion.

This figure surpasses the total inflow of $31 billion worth of Bitcoin recorded in 2024 by $12.5 billion. The 2024 inflow was itself a record high, exceeding the combined amount from the previous three years. At the current rate, businesses are projected to finish 2025 with $66.98 billion in Bitcoin acquisitions.

As businesses increase their allocations, they now control 6.2% of the Bitcoin supply, holding 1.3 million BTC. While this is still lower than the 65.9% held by individuals, it already exceeds the 1.09 million BTC left to be mined.

Bitcoin Treasury Companies Lead Adoption Trend

The surge in business adoption of BTC is largely driven by Bitcoin treasury companies. These entities are responsible for 76% of all BTC purchases since January 2024 and account for 60% of publicly reported Bitcoin holdings by businesses.

In 2025, Bitcoin treasury companies have added over 330,000 BTC, translating to an average of 1,400 BTC per day. Only funds and ETFs are acquiring more, with 338,000 BTC purchased. Factors contributing to the success of treasury companies include the complexity of direct BTC exposure, restrictions on buying BTC directly, and investors' appetite for leveraged BTC exposure.

However, conventional businesses are also incorporating BTC into their existing business models. The report notes that Bitcoin treasury companies account for just one-quarter of public companies with BTC holdings. River serves more than 3,000 business clients in the US, indicating a broader adoption trend beyond specialized treasury companies.

Most conventional businesses buying BTC share common attributes:

• Typically small businesses with fewer than 50 employees
• Concentrated ownership structures enabling faster decision-making
• Focus on Bitcoin's long-term potential

As businesses continue to embrace Bitcoin as a treasury asset, the cryptocurrency's role in corporate finance is likely to expand further, potentially reshaping traditional asset allocation strategies in the years to come.