This week, as Bitcoin surged past $77,000, a notable shift in asset ownership dynamics was brought to light: more Americans now own Bitcoin than gold. According to a recent report from River, based on data from The Nakamoto Project and the Gold IRA Guide, there are approximately 50 million Bitcoin holders in the United States, overshadowing the 37 million individuals who possess gold. This creates a remarkable 35% gap in ownership between the two assets.
The United States stands out not only in individual ownership but also holds a commanding lead in global Bitcoin holdings, accounting for 40% of the total Bitcoin supply worldwide. Furthermore, U.S. public companies control a staggering 94.8% of all corporate Bitcoin holdings across the globe. The U.S. government itself possesses roughly 198,000 BTC, making up about 65% of all government-held Bitcoin globally.
While the U.S. maintains the largest national gold reserve at 8,133 tonnes, public sentiment towards these reserves is evolving. A survey conducted by The Nakamoto Project in partnership with Qualtrics revealed that four out of five Americans favor converting a portion of the nation’s gold reserves into Bitcoin. The median recommendation for conversion stood at 10%, but younger Americans, particularly those under 45, suggested a higher figure closer to 24%.
The context of this data has grown particularly significant in 2026. Major financial institutions such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Vanguard have begun to offer Bitcoin ETF distribution to their clients, with numerous wealth advisors now incorporating Bitcoin into their investment recommendations. According to Goldman Sachs, 71% of institutional investors are planning to boost their cryptocurrency allocations over the next year.
Furthermore, the CLARITY Act is approaching a decisive Senate vote, with negotiations reportedly narrowing down to just a couple of outstanding issues. If passed, this legislation could grant Bitcoin the permanent legal status that gold has enjoyed for centuries, with XRP ETF inflow projections alone anticipated to reach $5 billion following its approval.
These developments take on added significance when considering that 50 million Americans already have a stake in Bitcoin and are closely monitoring these changes. River’s report emphasizes the historical context: “America’s story began with sound money. Hard-working Americans saved their wealth in gold-backed money. Today, Bitcoin carries that torch forward.”
It is important to note, however, that the reported ownership figures may not fully reflect the depth of investment, as anyone with as little as $50 on a platform like Coinbase is counted among Bitcoin holders. While gold still maintains dominance at institutional and central bank levels, the momentum is clearly shifting.
The rapid growth of Bitcoin ETFs, hitting $10 billion in assets within just seven weeks, starkly contrasts with the gold ETF, which took over two years to reach similar levels. Additionally, Bitcoin’s daily price volatility is converging with that of gold and the S&P 500.
Despite having faced skepticism for years, Bitcoin has now surpassed gold in American ownership. River highlights that the U.S. is “uniquely positioned to further their economic success and global leadership by embracing their current advantage in Bitcoin adoption.”
