A July 2026 report by River indicates that 49.6 million American adults, or 18.6% of the population, own Bitcoin. This figure surpasses the 28.8 million, or 10.8%, who report owning gold. This marks the first time Bitcoin ownership has exceeded gold ownership in the US.
Data from River shows that Bitcoin ownership among US adults grew from 14.3% to 18.6% over a six-month period. The report attributes this increase to improved accessibility through exchange-traded funds, mobile applications, and various trading platforms.
Corporate and government holdings also contribute to US Bitcoin exposure. Public companies in the US hold approximately 1.24 million BTC, accounting for 93% of global corporate holdings. The US government holds about 328,000 BTC, valued at over $26 billion.
Research from the Nakamoto Project, conducted between late 2024 and early 2025, also identified a trend where Bitcoin owners outnumber gold owners. Meanwhile, a June 2026 Gallup survey reported that 9% of US adults owned crypto, down from 14% the previous year.
