Investing in cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, is no longer limited to individual investors. A recent report from financial services firm River reveals that private companies are increasingly allocating their profits into digital assets, mainly as a hedge against inflation.

According to Yahoo Finance on Tuesday (August 16, 2025), River’s July survey of over 3,000 clients found that private businesses, on average, invested around 22% of their net profits into Bitcoin, with a median allocation of 10%.

This data reflects significant interest, with more than 10% of respondents stating they allocated over half of their income into Bitcoin.

River noted that nearly 64% of these companies view Bitcoin as a long-term investment, steadily accumulating it with no immediate plans to sell or rebalance their portfolios.

Meanwhile, 25% intend to rebalance, 6.5% are committed to holding their positions, and 5.2% have yet to form a clear strategy.

Hedging Against Inflation and Traditional Risks

River explained that firms are turning to Bitcoin due to its inflation-resistant nature, liquidity, and protection against third-party risks. Traditional cash assets like government bonds and money market funds are increasingly seen as inadequate in preserving purchasing power.

“Since 2020, major corporations such as Microsoft, Google, and Apple have lost tens of billions in purchasing power by holding traditional instruments. Had they allocated even 1% of their cash reserves to Bitcoin in 2020, those losses would have been fully offset,” River stated.

Primarily Adopted by Small Companies

Nevertheless, Bitcoin adoption is still largely concentrated among smaller firms. River reported that 75% of its clients employ fewer than 50 staff members.

The driving factors include faster decision-making processes and greater vulnerability to economic shocks. Interestingly, these businesses span diverse industries, including real estate, hospitality, finance, and agriculture.

In total, such companies have purchased about 84,000 BTC, worth approximately USD 9.6 billion this year, according to River’s data.

River further highlighted that there are now no major obstacles preventing U.S. companies from adopting Bitcoin, especially given a more supportive regulatory climate under the Trump administration, improved accounting treatment, enhanced liquidity, and reduced volatility.

Even so, adoption remains extremely low, with less than 1% of all U.S. companies currently engaged. River attributes this largely to public perception.

Shifting Public Perception, Though Barriers Remain

Citing several studies, River pointed out that most Americans still lack sufficient knowledge about Bitcoin. Additionally, many companies hesitate to adopt it out of concern that doing so might be viewed as deviating from established norms.

“In traditional corporate environments, decisions are made by committees, boards, and executives who are heavily incentivized to conform and avoid controversy. Even if a CEO or CFO personally believes in Bitcoin’s long-term value, they are unlikely to advocate adoption unless peer companies do so first,” River explained.

Nevertheless, perceptions are gradually shifting. River referenced a Nakamoto Project study showing that the number of American adults holding Bitcoin increased by 11 million between early 2024 and March 2025. Moreover, a Harris Poll revealed a sharp rise in the number of people who consider Bitcoin “trustworthy,” climbing from 5.3% to 10.2% in 2024.