A recent study by River, a bitcoin financial services company, shows that more American investors now prefer bitcoin over gold. The study found that 18.6% of U.S. adults – around 49.6 million people – own bitcoin, while 10.8% – about 28.8 million – hold gold.
Key Takeaways
- River’s July report found 49.6 million Americans hold bitcoin versus 28.8 million who own gold.
- US bitcoin ownership climbed from a 14.3% adoption rate to 18.6% in about six months.
- The US government holds 328,372 BTC as lawmakers weigh a formal strategic reserve.
Bitcoin Adoption Outpaces a 5,000-Year-Old Rival
River, a bitcoin-focused financial services company, published research earlier this month showing that bitcoin ownership among American adults has overtaken gold ownership for the first time on record. The firm reported that 49.6 million Americans now hold bitcoin, or 18.6% of the adult population, while 28.8 million, or 10.8%, own gold.
As a crypto investor, it’s pretty incredible to think about how quickly Bitcoin is being adopted. Gold has been considered a reliable way to store wealth for around 5,000 years – that’s a long time! But even though Bitcoin only launched in January 2009, just over 16 years ago, recent research shows it’s already owned by more individual Americans than physical gold. That really puts its growth into perspective.
In my research, I’ve found that the recent surge in investment activity seems driven by two key factors: accessibility and culture. Specifically, supportive regulations, easy access through platforms like exchanges and mobile apps, and a strong American inclination towards independent investing and financial self-sufficiency are all contributing to faster adoption rates.
The report showed that Americans own around 42% of all bitcoins currently available worldwide. This large share establishes the U.S. as the leading country in Bitcoin ownership – essentially a “bitcoin superpower.”
Government and Corporate Holdings Reinforce the Shift
River reports that public companies based in the United States own approximately 1.24 million Bitcoin, making up 92.7% of all Bitcoin held by publicly traded companies globally. This highlights the leading role US firms now play in adopting Bitcoin as a part of their financial reserves.
The U.S. government itself holds 328,372 BTC, according to onchain data confirming the federal crypto stockpile, worth more than $23 billion at recent prices. That reserve, built up largely through asset seizures, has become a focal point of ongoing legislative efforts, including bills introduced this year to formally codify a strategic bitcoin reserve with long-term holding requirements and a target of accumulating up to 1 million BTC.
The United States is a major player in the world of Bitcoin mining. It contributes over 37% of the total computing power used for Bitcoin transactions globally, and it’s home to more than 150 companies involved in all aspects of the Bitcoin industry – from trading platforms to secure storage, mining operations, and payment services.
A Fast-Rising Adoption Curve
Another study showed that 14.3% of people in the U.S. owned Bitcoin as of the beginning of 2026. This represents an increase of over four percentage points in about six months, according to River’s most recent data.
As more everyday people start investing in bitcoin, Wall Street is taking notice. A recent report shows that several major U.S. investment firms have begun offering bitcoin ETFs to their clients, giving financial advisors a reason to discuss it with investors who previously weren’t interested. This, along with more people directly buying bitcoin, suggests it’s becoming a more common investment for Americans, moving beyond a specialized or unusual holding.
2026-07-22 13:58