Bitcoin Ownership in The U.S Surpasses Gold as More Americans Hold BTC – Report

Bitcoin is steadily cementing its place in mainstream American finance, with a growing number of U.S. citizens now choosing the world's largest cryptocurrency over one of history's most trusted stores of value.

According to a recent report from River Financial, an estimated 49.6 million American adults hold Bitcoin, representing about 18.6% of the adult population. This surpasses the 28.8 million adults who own gold, or roughly 10.8% of U.S. adults.

The numbers come from data compiled by the Nakamoto Project and Consumer Affairs, highlighting Bitcoin's rapid rise as a preferred store of value, highlighting a significant shift in how American investors are preserving wealth in the digital age.

Notably, the report comes as a recent Bank of America survey, disclosed that gold has emerged as the most undervalued asset among fund managers for the first time in more than three years.

The findings mark a notable shift in institutional sentiment toward the precious metal amid ongoing economic uncertainties and market volatility. The survey reveals that the net percentage of respondents viewing gold as overvalued has dropped to its lowest level since March 2023.

Bitcoin, which launched in 2009, has achieved in roughly 17 years what gold took thousands of years to accomplish in terms of widespread personal ownership in the world's largest economy.

The United States alone accounts for a significant portion of global Bitcoin holdings, with Americans controlling around 40% of the total supply in some estimates.

This crossover reflects broader trends in wealth preservation. Younger investors, particularly men aged 31 to 45, have driven much of Bitcoin's adoption.

Factors such as ease of digital storage, accessibility through apps and exchanges, spot Bitcoin ETFs, and growing institutional interest have lowered barriers that once made cryptocurrency seem complex or risky.

Gold, while still valued for its tangibility and long history as a hedge against inflation, requires more effort in terms of secure storage and physical handling. The implications extend beyond individual portfolios.

With trillions of dollars sitting in U.S. retirement accounts like 401(k)s, even modest allocations toward Bitcoin could create substantial demand. Recent regulatory adjustments by the Department of Labor have also opened the door for more retirement plans to include crypto options, potentially accelerating the trend.

Critics point out Bitcoin's volatility compared to gold's relative stability, while supporters highlight its fixed supply cap of 21 million coins and growing utility as a medium of exchange and settlement layer. Regardless of perspective, the ownership data signals that Bitcoin has moved firmly into the mainstream financial conversation in America.

Bitcoin's growing adoption in the United States is expected to receive another significant boost following the signing of the CLARITY Act, a landmark piece of legislation designed to provide long-awaited regulatory certainty for the digital asset industry.

By establishing clearer rules for cryptocurrencies and the companies that support them, the law is widely expected to strengthen investor confidence, encourage broader institutional participation, and make Bitcoin more accessible to everyday Americans.

As adoption continues, this milestone may encourage further integration of digital assets into traditional finance. For now, it stands as a clear indicator that a new generation is choosing code over metal when building long-term wealth.

Outlook

Bitcoin's lead over gold in U.S. ownership could widen if regulatory clarity continues to improve and institutional participation deepens.

The implementation of the CLARITY Act, alongside the continued growth of spot Bitcoin ETFs, broader corporate adoption, and the inclusion of digital assets in retirement investment options, is expected to bring millions of new investors into the market over the coming years.

At the same time, Bitcoin's fixed supply and increasing acceptance as a long-term store of value may continue to strengthen its appeal, particularly among younger investors seeking exposure to digital-native assets.

While price volatility is likely to remain a defining characteristic of the cryptocurrency, many market participants believe that greater regulatory certainty and expanding institutional infrastructure will help reduce barriers to adoption over time