Bigger Than Banks, Comparable to Nations
The size of Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings has caught attention worldwide. At $77 billion, the stash now outweighs the market capitalization of BNY Mellon, Barclays, ING, Deutsche Bank, Lloyds, and other leading institutions.
In comparison, the next largest Bitcoin treasury belongs to MARA Holdings with 52,850 BTC. Strategy’s lead over competitors shows the scale of its accumulation. The firm now holds nearly half of the Bitcoin controlled by companies globally.
The comparison stretches beyond finance. Strategy’s Bitcoin is equal to the GDP of several countries, including Uruguay, Slovenia, and Sri Lanka. With that amount, one could buy 385,000 homes priced at $200,000 each. Alternatively, it equals 2.56 million cars valued at $30,000 each.
The firm’s treasury alone accounts for 48 % of the Bitcoin held by the 266 companies listed on BitcoinTreasuries.NET. Together, public and private firms hold approximately 1.32 million BTC, equal to 6.6 % of the total supply, worth around $159 billion.
El Salvador and Nation‑State Comparisons
While companies like Strategy dominate the corporate landscape, some countries also continue to accumulate Bitcoin. El Salvador leads the state‑level race with 6,338 BTC. The holdings are worth around $762.5 million at current prices, slightly below their August peak of $770 million.
Unlike Strategy’s rapid purchases, El Salvador has followed a slower pace of buying. Officials reported a steady plan of adding one Bitcoin per day. This slower accumulation contrasts with the aggressive strategy adopted by Michael Saylor’s company. Still, the difference in scale is stark.
Related: Michael Saylor Anticipates Digital Gold Rush for Bitcoin
From Modest Beginnings to Record Valuation
Strategy began its Bitcoin journey in 2020 with $250 million. The initial purchase brought a quick $40 million unrealized loss. That loss did not stop further buying. Year after year, the treasury expanded despite Bitcoin’s volatility. By the end of 2020, Strategy’s Bitcoin was worth $2.1 billion. A year later, the holdings grew to $5.7 billion.
In 2022, market weakness pushed the value back down to $2.2 billion. However, 2023 closed with $8 billion as Bitcoin regained momentum. A buying spree in 2024 lifted Strategy’s holdings to $41.8 billion. This year, Bitcoin’s rise to $120,000 has pushed the firm’s net asset value to a record $77.4 billion.
The rapid growth of the Strategy holdings highlights the evolving role of Bitcoin in global finance. Corporate treasuries now serve as key benchmarks, both in terms of institutional belief as well as the move toward digital stores of value.
From a modest $250 million entry in 2020 to today’s $77.4 billion stockpile, Strategy’s path highlights how fast the landscape has changed. The firm’s position now overshadows banks, outpaces competitors, and stands alongside nations in scale.