Bitcoin ownership surpasses gold in the US as 50M Americans hold BTC
50 million Americans now own Bitcoin, surpassing 37 million gold holders.
US firms hold 94.8% of publicly traded companies' Bitcoin reserves.
US leads globally with 40% of all Bitcoin companies headquartered domestically.
Bitcoin has officially outpaced gold in US ownership, marking a significant pivot in the country's investment landscape.
According to a new report released on 20 May by Bitcoin investment firm River, roughly 50 million Americans now own Bitcoin, compared to 37 million who own gold.
This data underscores the rise of Bitcoin as a preferred store of value, reshaping traditional notions of economic security and reserve asset status.
As Bitcoin ownership expands, it's increasingly seen not just as a speculative instrument, but as a fundamental part of US financial infrastructure.
US leads in global Bitcoin adoption and infrastructure
The River report notes that the United States is the global leader in Bitcoin adoption, with 40 percent of all Bitcoin-related companies headquartered in the country.
American firms also hold 94.8 percent of all Bitcoin owned by publicly traded companies worldwide, reflecting significant institutional backing.
This dominance is supported by a robust ecosystem comprising crypto-focused startups, spot ETF launches, and policies promoting digital asset development.
Regulatory momentum in Washington has further strengthened Bitcoin's foundation in the financial system. Recent discussions around treating Bitcoin as a potential strategic reserve asset suggest growing political acceptance.
Several politicians have floated the idea of the US government maintaining a Bitcoin reserve, signalling institutional confidence amid rising concerns over the US dollar's long-term stability.
Strategic demand rises amid economic uncertainty
The shift toward Bitcoin is occurring alongside broader macroeconomic concerns. Moody's recent downgrade of the US credit rating—ending over a century of top-tier ratings—has reinforced the appeal of decentralised alternatives.
Read More INX Announces the Listing of $TRUMP, $MELANIA, and Solana (SOL)
Investors increasingly view Bitcoin as a hedge against fiscal instability and inflation, particularly given its fixed supply and decentralised governance model.
Bitcoin also offers practical advantages over gold in the digital age. The ease of storage, cross-border transfer, and liquidity make it an attractive option for both individual and institutional investors.
This is particularly relevant in an era where digital finance is becoming the norm and where traditional safe-haven assets like gold face logistical and accessibility limitations.
Rising ownership brings attention to volatility risks
While Bitcoin is gaining legitimacy as a reserve asset, it remains a volatile asset class. Unlike gold, which has maintained relatively steady valuations over time, Bitcoin has experienced frequent price swings—something that may deter more risk-averse investors.
Nonetheless, the market appears to be increasingly tolerant of this volatility, especially as long-term returns continue to outperform traditional assets.
Institutional support also plays a key role in this shift. Major asset managers such as BlackRock are incorporating Bitcoin into their portfolios, further validating its status.
Meanwhile, crypto ETFs and custodial services are helping to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital asset space, making it easier for Americans to gain exposure to Bitcoin without navigating complex self-custody solutions.
As Bitcoin ownership grows, it reflects not just a shift in preference, but a broader transformation in how Americans perceive financial security and resilience.
The trend is still developing, but the numbers now place Bitcoin squarely ahead of gold—at least in terms of how many Americans are betting on it.
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Mortgage lenders use credit scores to help determine eligibility and home loan interest rates. Ten percent of respondents said a lack of certainty about their job and future income was making home buying difficult. Navigating the process of buying a home A home is the biggest purchase most people will ever make, so it's no surprise that when asked which parts of the home-buying process were most confusing to them, the greatest number of respondents (41%) ranked finding the right property as their top issue. Thirty-eight percent were confused by mortgage options. True, there are many different types of mortgage loans and endless jargon (APR? FHA? DTI? The acronyms alone could short-circuit a homebuyer's brain.) Home inspection reports are confusing for 32% of people, while 31% are stymied by paperwork. Negotiating with sellers is a point of confusion for 31%, while 26% struggle with finding a real estate agent. Technology has been a help to many home shoppers. Almost two-thirds (65%) have used an online property listing platform such as Zillow or Redfin. Online lenders have helped 41% of respondents. And 39% have used virtual or augmented reality for property viewing, with 27% using drone photography. Virtual home tours are especially helpful to those who are buying a home without visiting it in person. Forty percent of respondents were willing to buy a home sight unseen if it meets their criteria and budget, but 39% are not (and 21% were iffy). Among those who were willing to shop from afar, most shoppers were savvy and planned to use one or more methods to mitigate risk: 55% would request additional info from the seller/real estate agent.49% would thoroughly research the property and neighborhood online.46% would hire a local pro to inspect the property.43% would explore virtual or augmented reality technology for property viewing.42% would seek advice from a real estate attorney about contracts and contingencies. Budgeting challenges and strategies Notwithstanding concerns about high home prices and inadequate down payment savings, fully 81% of homebuyers were very or somewhat optimistic that they would be able to purchase a home within their budget in the next six months. Sadly, about one in five buyers weren't feeling so hopeful. Creating a home-buying budget How much do homebuyers plan to spend on their new abode? With home prices already averaging over $400,000 and forecast to continue to rise moderately in 2025, more than 1 in 4 survey respondents (29%) were budgeting between $250,000 and $499,999. Fifteen percent of survey takers were looking for a bargain, planning less than $100,000. Another 23% thought they would spend between $100,000 and $249,999. A quarter of shoppers thought they would spend between $500,000 and $999,999, with 7% budgeting more than $1 million. Interestingly, more than half of respondents whose home budget was $500K or higher have a household income of less than $100,000 per year. Some of these people could be relying on the sale of a first home to fund a second home and may even make a cash purchase. For the rest, an annual income of $100,000 typically equates to a home-buying budget in the neighborhood of $300,000. Would-be homeowners were using several methods to establish their budget. Forty-eight percent were assessing their current budget, while 37% used an online home affordability calculator. Consulting a financial advisor was also popular: 36% of people used this method. Reviewing credit scores and reports was a popular step for 36% as well. A third of shoppers (33%) assessed their debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Twenty-seven percent got preapproved by a lender as a way of determining their budget. Down payments: Doing the math The largest up-front expense associated with buying a home is usually the down payment. Here's what shoppers were planning to spend. 7% of respondents were exploring zero-down-payment options.10% planned to put down less than 5%.19% planned to put down 6%-10%.30% planned to put down 11%-20%.23% planned to put down 21% or more.10% of respondents weren't sure how much they would put down. Buying a home with a small down payment is possible with planning, and some government-backed loans, such as VA loans (backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs), don't require a down payment. Lenders may also offer a low-down-payment option for qualified first-time homebuyers. Money-saving tips from homebuyers An overwhelming majority of homebuyers-92%-have made changes in their money habits in order to save money for their home purchase. About half (49%) have trimmed nonessential expenditures and almost the same number (45%) have increased contributions to their savings. A significant number (41%) have found a side hustle to earn more income, while 26% have downsized their current living situation. About one-fourth have sought help from family or friends. The survey suggests that buyers will continue to employ saving strategies after they close on a property, as ongoing homeownership costs were a significant concern for many respondents. Top worries included maintenance and repairs (a concern for 47%), followed by property taxes (46%), making mortgage payments (45%), affording home insurance (39%), and covering utilities costs (30%). One in four people said homeowners association costs were a concern. In fact, about 30% of U.S. housing stock is in a community governed by an HOA, according to NAR. Choosing a lender As homebuyers save money and search for a property, they're also carefully weighing the second most critical decision in the home-buying process: selecting a lender for their mortgage loan. Roughly 1 in 4 homebuyers is paying all-cash for their purchase, an all-time high, according to the NAR. But among those who must borrow, SoFi's survey found that interest rates were the top factor when comparing mortgage lenders. They were most important to 64% of respondents. Half of survey-takers said closing costs were a key factor, while 48% had their eye on closing costs when comparing lenders. Special programs and incentives were an important comparison point for 40%. Reputation and customer satisfaction were important to 39% of buyers. Getting to the loan approval Just over half of survey respondents (53%) had completed a full loan application in their current home-buying process. One in 4 (26%) had applied for a conventional loan, while slightly more (28%) had applied for an FHA loan, backed by the Federal Housing Administration. (Use of FHA loans by first-time homebuyers has declined significantly, from 55% in 2009 to 24% in 2024 according to NAR.) Twenty-three percent had applied for a loan backed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), while 12% had applied for a VA loan. Some, of course, had applied for more than one type of loan, and a small percentage (5%) applied for a type of financing not listed here. Awareness of government-backed loan options was fairly strong, with almost half of homebuyers (49%) having heard of FHA loans, 41% being aware of USDA loans, and 38% having some knowledge of VA loans. Almost half (49%) were also aware of rent-to-own agreements, a less common form of financing. About a third (34%) were aware of interest-only mortgages. The takeaway Today's homebuyers are most concerned with the financial aspects of the home-buying process, with finding an affordable property, saving for the home purchase, and comparing lenders' interest rates topping their list of important factors. The good news is that, despite high home prices and stubborn interest rates, more than 4 in 5 buyers were optimistic about completing the home-buying process and making their purchase within the next six months. FAQ What is the process of buying a home? The process of buying a home starts with determining what you can afford and planning for a down payment, if you can afford one. Seeking mortgage preapproval can help you understand how much you might be able to borrow. Once you have a sense of your budget, working with a real estate agent can help you locate properties. If you find your sweet spot, you'll make an offer, finalize your home loan, negotiate with the seller and, ultimately, close the deal. What are the 5 stages of buying a home? The five stages of buying a home are planning (setting your budget, determining your down payment), preapproval (getting preapproved for financing), searching (you'll find a real estate agent and identify a property), negotiating (you'll get an inspection and go back and forth with the seller), and finalizing (you'll solidify your financing and go to the closing table). Can I move in on closing day? You can move in immediately once you close on a house, as long as your contract doesn't stipulate a different occupancy date. What are closing cost fees? Closing costs are fees paid to the team that helps get you into your new home. These can include fees for the appraiser and title company, lender fees, and more. As a general rule, closing costs average 3% to 6% of your mortgage loan principal. What are the 4 C's when buying a home? The 4 C's of home buying are the things that a lender will consider when deciding whether to approve your home loan application and determining what interest rate and terms you qualify for. They are Capacity (ability to repay the loan), Capital (funds available to you in the form of savings and other assets), Collateral (the value of the property that will be the collateral for the loan), and Credit (your credit scores and history). This story was produced by SoFi and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
