Bitcoin Buying By Firms Like MicroStrategy Is An ‘Overlooked Megatrend,’ Bitwise Says

Bitwise's Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Matt Hougan, highlighted a significant trend that could impact the Bitcoin market this year: companies buying and holding Bitcoin. Hougan noted that 70 publicly traded companies, including MicroStrategy, now have Bitcoin on their balance sheets.

Hougan predicted that, within the next 12-18 months, many more companies would follow suit, acquiring Bitcoin as part of their treasury investments. This surge in corporate demand, he believes, would significantly boost the Bitcoin market.

MicroStrategy stands out as the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, with 447,470 BTC, valued at over $44 billion. However, Hougan emphasized that MicroStrategy is not an outlier. He observed that companies like Chipotle have acquired significant amounts of Bitcoin, surpassing the total amount mined in certain years.

Hougan suggested that this trend is gaining momentum as reputational risks associated with Bitcoin diminish, thanks to Washington's embrace of cryptocurrency. Additionally, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has introduced a new rule (ASU 2023-08) that allows companies to mark Bitcoin's value to market, enabling them to book profits when its price increases.

Hougan believes that, with Bitcoin's value being seen as more stable, many more companies will be inclined to acquire it for their balance sheets. He estimates that the number of companies holding Bitcoin could potentially reach hundreds or even thousands.