Bitcoin has come a long way since its inception in 2009. It has grown from a niche interest among tech enthusiasts to a mainstream investment asset. As more and more companies adopt Bitcoin, it begs the question: what big companies own Bitcoin?
The answer is a mix of technology, finance, and retail giants. Here are some of the notable companies that have invested in Bitcoin:
1. MicroStrategy: MicroStrategy is a business intelligence company that made headlines in 2020 when it announced that it had invested $425 million in Bitcoin. The company’s CEO, Michael Saylor, is a vocal advocate of Bitcoin and has often spoken about its potential as a store of value.
2. Square: Payment company Square, founded by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, invested $50 million in Bitcoin in 2020. The company has also made Bitcoin available for purchase on its Cash App, making it easier for individuals to invest in the cryptocurrency.
3. Tesla: In February 2021, electric car maker Tesla announced that it had invested $1.5 billion in Bitcoin. The company also said that it would accept Bitcoin as payment for its products in the future. The move was seen as a major endorsement of Bitcoin’s potential as a mainstream currency.
4. PayPal: In 2020, payment giant PayPal announced that it would allow its users to buy, hold, and sell Bitcoin on its platform. The move was seen as a major step forward for the cryptocurrency, which had previously been viewed as a niche investment.
5. Morgan Stanley: In March 2021, investment bank Morgan Stanley announced that it would offer its clients access to Bitcoin funds. The move was seen as a major endorsement of Bitcoin’s potential as a mainstream investment asset.
6. Grayscale Investments: Grayscale is a digital asset management company that offers investment products for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The company’s Bitcoin Trust is one of the largest Bitcoin investment vehicles, with over $30 billion in assets under management.
7. Fidelity: Investment firm Fidelity launched a Bitcoin fund in 2020, allowing its clients to invest in Bitcoin through their retirement accounts. The move was seen as a major step forward for Bitcoin’s acceptance as a mainstream investment asset.
8. Visa: Payment giant Visa has also invested in Bitcoin, announcing in 2021 that it would allow its partners to settle transactions in Bitcoin. The move was seen as a major endorsement of Bitcoin’s potential as a mainstream payment method.
These are just a few of the big companies that have invested in Bitcoin. Others include Square’s Cash App, which allows users to buy and sell Bitcoin, and investment firm BlackRock, which has reportedly been exploring Bitcoin investments.
In conclusion, Bitcoin has come a long way since its early days as a niche interest among tech enthusiasts. Today, it is seen as a mainstream investment asset, with big companies from a range of industries investing in the cryptocurrency. As Bitcoin continues to gain acceptance, it will be interesting to see which other big companies join the fray.