#TradeStories Here is an analysis of the cryptocurrencies in which the institutional investors mentioned in my previous response (BlackRock, Fidelity, Grayscale, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Ark Invest, Coinbase Institutional, MicroStrategy, 21Shares, Galaxy Digital, PayPal, Invesco) are investing or are likely to invest in 2025, based on available information and market trends. This response relies on recent sources and public data, taking into account typical allocations of institutions. For each investor, I specify the targeted cryptocurrencies and the context of their investment, avoiding unfounded speculation.1
. BlackRock
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), potentially Solana (SOL).
Details:
BlackRock manages the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which attracted billions of dollars in 2024, representing direct exposure to Bitcoin.
In 2025, BlackRock is exploring ETFs for Ethereum, reflecting interest in this key DeFi blockchain.
Rumors on X and analyses suggest interest in Solana due to its growth in DeFi and NFTs, but no Solana ETF has been confirmed to date.
Why: BlackRock favors high-capitalization and liquid cryptocurrencies with a regulated infrastructure (ETF) to meet the needs of institutional clients.
2. Fidelity Investments
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP.
Details:
Fidelity Digital Assets offers custody and trading services for Bitcoin and Ethereum, with Bitcoin ETFs launched in 2024.
In 2025, Fidelity supports Solana and XRP ETFs, reflecting interest in high-adoption altcoins.
Fidelity also invests in DeFi projects through funds, which include tokens like Chainlink (LINK) and Aave (AAVE).
Why: Fidelity adopts a diversified approach, combining established cryptocurrencies and promising altcoins to maximize returns.
3. Grayscale Investments
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP, Chainlink (LINK), Sui (SUI), Optimism (OP), Hyperliquid (HYPE), Ethena (ENA), Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL), Jito (JTO), Grass (GRASS), Bittensor (TAO), Lido DAO (LDO), Helium (HNT), Maple Finance (SYRUP), Geodnet (GEOD), Story Protocol (IP), Uniswap (UNI), Avalanche (AVAX), Aave (AAVE).
Details:
Grayscale manages the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) and funds for Ethereum, with significant investments in Bitcoin.
Grayscale's Top 20 for Q2 2025 includes a range of altcoins, reflecting interest in DeFi (Maple Finance, Aave), AI (Bittensor, Virtuals Protocol), and blockchain infrastructures (Solana, Sui).
Grayscale also offers funds for XRP, Chainlink, and other tokens listed in its quarterly report.
Why: Grayscale adopts a broad strategy, investing in established and emerging cryptocurrencies to diversify institutional portfolios.
4. JPMorgan Chase
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Stablecoins (USDC, USDT).
Details:
JPMorgan uses JPM Coin for interbank payments but also invests in Bitcoin and Ethereum through custody services.
In 2025, JPMorgan is interested in stablecoins for financial transactions, focusing on USDC due to its transparency and regulation.
The bank is exploring DeFi projects, potentially including tokens like Uniswap (UNI) or Aave (AAVE).
Why: JPMorgan favors cryptocurrencies with practical applications in traditional finance, such as payments and loans.
5. Goldman Sachs
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL).
Details:
Goldman Sachs offers crypto derivatives products (futures, options) for Bitcoin and Ethereum, and Bitcoin ETFs since 2024.
In 2025, the bank supports Solana ETFs, reflecting interest in this high-performing blockchain.
Goldman Sachs also invests in blockchain startups, which may include tokens like Chainlink (LINK) for oracles.
Why: Goldman Sachs combines direct investments with derivative products to meet the needs of institutional clients.
6. Ark Invest (Cathie Wood)
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Chainlink (LINK).
Details:
Ark Invest holds significant positions in Bitcoin through ETFs and funds, with a bullish long-term outlook (average annual return of 44% over 7 years).
The company invests in Ethereum and Solana for their role in DeFi and dApps, as well as in Chainlink for its decentralized oracles.
Ark Invest explores high-growth altcoins, potentially including Render (RNDR) for AI and 3D rendering.
Why: Ark Invest bets on cryptocurrencies aligned with disruptive technologies, focusing on long-term growth.
7. Coinbase Institutional
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP, Stablecoins (USDC).
Details:
Coinbase Institutional is the custodian of 9 of the 11 Bitcoin ETFs and 8 of the 9 Ethereum ETFs, managing billions in assets.
In 2025, Coinbase supports Solana and XRP ETFs, reflecting institutional interest in these altcoins.
Coinbase promotes USDC as a reference stablecoin, with a partnership with Circle to generate revenue.
Why: Coinbase facilitates institutional access to liquid and regulated cryptocurrencies, focusing on ETFs and stablecoins.
8. MicroStrategy
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC).
Details:
MicroStrategy holds 447,470 BTC in January 2025, making it one of the largest institutional investors in Bitcoin.
The company does not invest in other cryptocurrencies, focusing exclusively on Bitcoin as a store of value.
Why: MicroStrategy sees Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and an alternative to gold, with a long-term buying strategy.
9. 21Shares
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP, Chainlink (LINK), Polkadot (DOT).
Details:
21Shares offers ETPs (Exchange-Traded Products) for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP, with plans to include Chainlink and Polkadot in 2025.
The company collaborated with Ark Invest on Bitcoin ETFs, strengthening its exposure to BTC.
Why: 21Shares targets cryptocurrencies with high adoption and liquidity, with regulated products for European and Asian investors.
10. Galaxy Digital
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), DeFi tokens (UNI, AAVE), AI tokens (TAO, VIRTUAL).
Details:
Galaxy Digital invests in Bitcoin and Ethereum through funds and trading services for institutional clients.
In 2025, Galaxy supports DeFi projects (Uniswap, Aave) and AI-blockchain (Bittensor, Virtuals Protocol), anticipating growth in these sectors.
The company also explores Solana for its performance in DeFi and NFTs.
Why: Galaxy Digital adopts a diversified approach, combining established cryptocurrencies with emerging sectors like AI and DeFi.
11. PayPal
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Stablecoins (PYUSD, USDC).
Details:
PayPal allows the buying, selling, and storing of Bitcoin and Ethereum since 2020, with growing adoption in 2025.
PayPal has launched its own stablecoin, PYUSD, and supports USDC for payments and DeFi transactions.
Why: PayPal focuses on cryptocurrencies that facilitate payments and integration with traditional finance.
12. Invesco
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), potentially Solana (SOL), DeFi tokens (AAVE, UNI).
Details:
Invesco launched Bitcoin ETFs in 2024 and is exploring Ethereum funds in 2025.
The company is interested in DeFi tokens like Aave and Uniswap to diversify its institutional portfolios.
Interest in Solana is likely due to its inclusion in ETFs backed by other institutions.
Why: Invesco favors cryptocurrencies with ETF infrastructure and yield potential in DeFi.
13. Itaú (Brazilian bank, mentioned on X)
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC).
Details:
In April 2025, Itaú invested $210 million in Bitcoin through its Oranje platform, aiming to accumulate BTC as a strategic reserve.
No investment in other cryptocurrencies has been reported to date.
Why: Itaú sees Bitcoin as a store of value to transform its corporate treasury strategies.
14. Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett, mentioned on X)
Cryptocurrencies: No reliable confirmation.
Details:
An April 2024 post on X claims that Berkshire Hathaway may have invested in Ethereum (ETH), Chainlink (LINK), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and 26 other cryptocurrencies, according to an on-chain analysis by ArkChain.
However, this information is inconclusive and unverified by official sources. Warren Buffett has historically criticized cryptocurrencies, labeling Bitcoin as 'rat poison.' No credible evidence confirms these investments in 2025.
Why: The allegations on X appear speculative and contradict Buffett's public stance.
General trends in institutional investments in 2025
Main cryptocurrencies:
Bitcoin (BTC): Preferred as a store of value and hedge against inflation. Bitcoin ETFs attracted over 91,000 BTC between January and August 2024.
Ethereum (ETH): Popular for DeFi, smart contracts, and Ethereum ETFs launched in 2024.
Solana (SOL): Growing due to its speed, low fees, and adoption in DeFi and NFTs. Supported by ETFs in 2025.
XRP: Used for cross-border payments, with growing institutional interest through ETFs.
Stablecoins (USDC, USDT, PYUSD): Adopted for transactions, staking, and treasury management. The stablecoin market is expected to exceed $400 billion in 2025.
Emerging sectors:
DeFi: Tokens like Uniswap (UNI), Aave (AAVE), and Maple Finance (SYRUP) attract institutions for their yields through staking and loans.
AI and blockchain: Projects like Bittensor (TAO) and Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) are gaining traction for their innovative applications.
Tokenization of real-world assets (RWA): Story Protocol (IP) and Ondo Finance (ONDO) are targeted for monetizing assets like intellectual property.
Allocation: According to EY-Parthenon, 76% of institutions allocate less than 5% of their portfolio to cryptocurrencies, but 60% invest beyond BTC and ETH, including altcoins like Solana, XRP, and Chainlink.
Advice for investors
Follow the ETFs: The launches of ETFs by BlackRock, Fidelity, or 21Shares indicate the cryptocurrencies favored by institutions. Check listings on Coinbase or Binance.
Analyze reports: Grayscale reports (Top 20) and Coinbase Institutional provide insights into institutional allocations.
Monitor X: Accounts like
@Cointelegraph
or
@WatcherGuru
share announcements of institutional investments, but verify their credibility.
Diversify: Combine established cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH) with promising altcoins (SOL, LINK) to balance risk and return.
Risks: Volatility, regulatory uncertainties, and cyberattacks. ######$$
