Over 50 Million Americans Choose Bitcoin Over Gold

More than 50 million Americans now own Bitcoin, overtaking those who hold gold as the preferred store of value. According to a recent report by River research, about 14% of the U.S. population—roughly 49.6 million people—have invested in Bitcoin, compared to 36.7 million who own gold. This means Americans account for 40% of all Bitcoin holders worldwide, reflecting a growing embrace of digital assets across the country.

Bitcoin ownership crosses social and political lines with little variation based on race, religion, income, or political affiliation. However, it is noticeably more popular among men and younger adults. The largest group of Bitcoin owners are men aged 31 to 35, making up 40.5% of holders, followed by men aged 41 to 45 at 35.9%. Women represent only 13.4% of owners, highlighting a significant gender gap in cryptocurrency adoption.

This shift from gold to Bitcoin signals a major change in how Americans store and build wealth. Bitcoin’s digital nature offers easier ownership, storage, and faster transactions compared to physical gold. Recent regulatory developments, such as the approval of Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs), have made investing in Bitcoin more accessible to everyday investors, accelerating its adoption even further.

The U.S. government’s recent designation of Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset underscores its rising importance. The United States now holds 63.3% of global government Bitcoin reserves, more than twice its 29.9% share of global gold reserves. In contrast, China holds just 4.8% of global Bitcoin reserves and 8.4% of gold reserves, showing a very different approach to these assets.

Despite Bitcoin’s rising popularity, gold remains a trusted safe haven, especially amid economic uncertainty driven by ongoing trade tensions. Gold has attracted increased capital inflows in 2025 due to its stability during volatile times. Meanwhile, Bitcoin continues to trade strongly above the $100,000 mark, with its price reaching $106,700 at the time of reporting—a 1.5% increase over the past 24 hours—as investors look toward new all-time highs.

Overall, this data illustrates a clear trend: Bitcoin is moving from a niche investment into a mainstream asset, reshaping how Americans think about wealth and security. As regulatory support grows and technology advances, the divide between traditional and digital stores of value is rapidly narrowing.