50 Million Americans Now Own Bitcoin — Ditching Gold for Digital Gold

BTC Adoption Surpasses Gold in the U.S. for the First Time Ever

The digital gold narrative is no longer just a meme — it’s reality. As of May 2025, nearly 50 million Americans—or 14% of the U.S. population—now own Bitcoin, officially outpacing gold holders in the country. That’s 49.6M BTC holders versus 36.7M gold investors, according to a new report from River.

Key Highlights:

• 40% of global BTC holders are Americans

• U.S. government now holds 63.3% of all public Bitcoin reserves

• Bitcoin adoption is rising across political and income lines, but with strong male and millennial dominance

• Only 13.4% of BTC holders are women, revealing a major gender gap

• BTC currently trades above $106,700, on track for another all-time high

Age Breakdown of U.S. BTC Ownership:

• 40.5%: Males aged 31–35

• 35.9%: Males aged 41–45

• 13.4%: Total female BTC ownership

This seismic shift reflects more than just tech enthusiasm—it’s a generational rejection of legacy assets. Bitcoin’s digital, borderless, and programmable nature is reshaping how Americans store wealth and hedge against inflation.

Why the Flip?

• Ease of ownership: No vaults or safes needed

• New financial products: Spot Bitcoin ETFs, custody services, and institutional onramps

• Policy shift: The White House now officially recognizes Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset

• Performance: Bitcoin’s 2025 rally has kept it consistently above the $100K level

Meanwhile, gold remains relevant, especially as geopolitical tensions and inflation fears grow. But make no mistake—Bitcoin is winning the narrative war.

The U.S. now holds more than twice the global Bitcoin reserves compared to gold, further solidifying its place in America’s evolving financial infrastructure.

From Fort Knox to cold wallets — the new era of wealth is digital.