Bitcoin Kicks Off 2025 in a Position of Strength, Backed by Robust Fundamentals and Unprecedented Momentum

The network’s hash rate has reached an all-time high, representing a level of computing power that dwarfs the combined resources of Amazon AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure by orders of magnitude.

Bitcoin is continuing its strong start to 2025, with several new developments emerging in the past week. Here's a roundup of the latest news and institutional updates.

Institutions Double Down on Bitcoin

Institutions are showing no signs of slowing down their bitcoin accumulation strategies. In a massive move, U.S.-traded bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETFs) have more than doubled their combined holdings over the past year. This incredible growth spans across ETFs, with holdings increasing from 650,000 BTC to an astounding 1,250,000 BTC.

Among these ETFs, the BlackRock IBIT Fund has taken center stage with a remarkable achievement. In just 11 months, the fund has managed to amass over $50 billion in assets, earning it the title of the “greatest ETF launch in history.” This development serves as a testament to the growing demand for bitcoin-focused financial products.

Highlighting the institutional surge, a new bitcoin ETF from Strive is set to launch, focusing on MicroStrategy's convertible bitcoin-backed bonds. This move aims to attract investors seeking both yield and exposure to bitcoin's potential upside.

Meanwhile, Bitwise is launching an ETF that will track shares of public companies that hold at least 1,000 BTC in their treasuries. This includes bitcoin-heavyweights like Micro. This approach aligns with a broader trend of companies adding bitcoin to their balance sheets.

On the heels of El Salvador's bitcoin adoption, lawmakers in Hong Kong are considering adding bitcoin to the city's official reserves. This move would further integrate digital assets into mainstream finance and bolster Hong Kong's status as a financial hub.

Institutions are also joining forces to create a strategic bitcoin reserve in the United States, with a new bill gaining traction in the early days of the incoming administration. This effort aims to establish a national bitcoin stockpile and ease regulations on digital assets.

NYDIG Plans to Use Insurance Float for Bitcoin Lending

In a bid to expand bitcoin's role in mainstream finance, NYDIG, a subsidiary of asset manager Stone Ridge, is exploring the use of insurance "float" to fuel a new wave of bitcoin-backed lending. This strategy aligns with Berkshire Hathaway's approach to insurance and could unlock vast sums of capital.

The strategy, outlined by Stone Ridge CEO Ross Stevens in his latest annual investor letter, would see NYDIG use funds held in reserve, akin to insurance premiums, to provide loans that are backed by bitcoin. This move, which aims to keep bitcoin off exchanges and reduce borrowing costs, has been hailed as a "big deal" by Sam Callahan, an advisor to Marathon Digital.

eTrade to Launch Direct Bitcoin Trading

In a sign of the times, Morgan Stanley's E-Trade is preparing to roll out direct bitcoin trading on its platform. This marks a major pivot for the traditional brokerage, which will now compete head-on with established cryptocurrency exchanges.

With over 5 million active users, Morgan Stanley is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between conventional investors and the digital asset world. This move is set to make bitcoin as accessible as stocks and ETFs for millions of retail investors.

The timing of this launch is particularly significant, as the incoming administration's pro-bitcoin stance is boosting optimism across the financial sector, encouraging more institutions to offer direct bitcoin services.

If successful, E-Trade's entry into the bitcoin market could further propel the digital asset into mainstream finance. Notably, e-Trade is owned by Morgan Stanley, which has been gradually embracing bitcoin and recently received approval to launch an ETF that tracks the performance of bitcoin futures contracts.

Switzerland to Hold Public Vote on Gold, Bitcoin Reserves

A new initiative in Switzerland aims to require the Swiss National Bank to allocate part of its reserves to gold and bitcoin, setting the stage for a public vote to determine the fate of this proposal.

If enough signatures are gathered, the initiative will proceed to a national referendum, where voters will decide on whether to amend the Swiss Federal Constitution to mandate the central bank's holding of gold and bitcoin reserves. This development comes amid broader efforts to integrate digital assets into mainstream finance and bolster economic resilience.

Institutions Continue to Drive Bitcoin's Mainstream Adoption

As 2025 continues to unfold, a clear narrative is emerging – institutions are doubling down on bitcoin, and the mainstream adoption of digital assets is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.

Galaxy Research projects that bitcoin could reach $185,000 this year, driven by rising adoption among institutions, corporations, and nation-states. Notably, Tether's recent $700 million bitcoin purchase, which brought its total holdings to 82,983 BTC, further highlights the ongoing demand for bitcoin as a reserve asset.

At the same time, economic uncertainty – particularly the potential for renewed quantitative easing by central banks – adds fuel to bitcoin's appeal as a hedge against currency devaluation. History has shown that