Bitcoin Quietly Entered A New Era In March: Here's What's Really Behind It

by Khyathi Dalal Benzinga Staff Writer

Zinger Key Points

The launch of the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in March 2025 is seen as Bitcoin’s entry into a new era.
With 30.9% of supply held by institutional treasuries, Bitcoin markets are showing clear signs of maturity and reduced volatility.
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Bitcoin's BTC/USD recent transformation has led many to ask, “What exactly changed?” It is no longer just a speculative asset but a strategic macroeconomic instrument shaped by centralized institutions, sovereign wealth strategies, and long-term financial infrastructure.

What Happened: American cryptocurrency exchange Gemini in an X post on Friday noted Bitcoin's pivotal shift occurred in March, when the United States officially launched its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR), elevating the crypto king to a sovereign-grade macro asset, on par with gold and oil.

This move marked the beginning of Bitcoin's institutional era, defined by structural inflows from sovereign and corporate treasuries, declining volatility and increased market stability

One key driver of this transformation is that over 30% of Bitcoin's circulating supply is now held by 216 centralized entities, including exchanges, ETFs/Funds, public and private companies, governments, and DeFi contracts.

Another factor is the concentration among top players: 65%–90% of Bitcoin in most institutional categories is controlled by the top 3 entities, with private companies being the only slightly more distributed segment. However, the early adopters still dominate and define institutional structure.

Gemini highlights that since 2018, Bitcoin's price swings have steadily calmed, making it more predictable and attractive to long-term capital. The 30.9% supply held by institutional treasuries adds structural support, helping suppress wild price movements.

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Why It Matters: Gemini also points to Bitcoin's reflexivity, meaning small capital inflows can drive disproportionate price increases. On average, $1 of investment adds $1.70 to Bitcoin's market capitalization, in bull markets, the impact rises to $3.70 and in short bursts, it can spike up to $25 per $1 invested.

This dynamic makes sovereign and institutional participation even more powerful, with potential to fuel self-reinforcing rallies.

In essence, Bitcoin is no longer just a speculative asset. It's becoming a strategic macroeconomic instrument, shaped by centralized institutions, sovereign wealth strategies, and long-term financial infrastructure.

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