FameEX Hot Topics | Report: By 2030, 25% of S&P 500 Firms May Hold Bitcoin

By the year 2030, an estimated 25% of companies listed on the S&P 500 are expected to hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets, according to Elliot Chun, a partner at the tech-focused financial advisory firm Architect Partners. In a blog post published on March 28, Chun explained that this shift will be largely driven by growing pressure on corporate treasury managers. Many fear that ignoring Bitcoin’s potential gains could threaten their job security. “If you tried it and it worked, you’re a genius. If you tried it and it didn’t work, you at least tried. But if you didn’t try and have no good reason, your job may be at risk,” Chun noted.

As of now, only two companies in the S&P 500 — Tesla and Block — currently hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets. Meanwhile, Strategy (MSTR) stands out as the largest corporate Bitcoin holder among the 89 publicly traded firms that currently hold the asset, according to data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET. For Chun’s projection to be realized, at least 123 more S&P 500 companies would need to adopt Bitcoin in some form within the next five years. Chun believes many firms may at least experiment with Bitcoin to hedge against uncertainty, particularly given its long-term upside and career implications for treasury leaders.

Industry optimism about Bitcoin’s future is not uncommon. Notable figures such as ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood, Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz and Block CEO Jack Dorsey have predicted that Bitcoin could soar to between $500,000 and $1 million by 2030. This sentiment has also been mirrored in corporate performance: Strategy’s stock price has skyrocketed over 2,000% since its first Bitcoin purchase in August 2020 — far outpacing Bitcoin’s own gains of 781% and the S&P 500’s 64.8% increase over the same period.

Still, Chun warned that other companies shouldn’t expect to mimic Strategy’s trajectory. He emphasized the difference between adopting Bitcoin as a strategic diversification tool and completely restructuring a company around it. Calling Strategy a “one-of-one,” Chun noted that its early move gave U.S. asset managers indirect exposure to Bitcoin before the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs by the SEC in January 2024, which now offer more direct investment routes.

While interest in Bitcoin as a treasury asset is rising, Chun still considers it an “unproven strategy” in the broader corporate context. Some hope it will serve as a hedge against inflation or diversify risk, but the results remain unclear. That said, Bitcoin’s unique properties — including ease of transfer, secure storage, liquidity, and GAAP recognition as a tangible asset — may continue to attract innovative companies seeking alternative financial strategies.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for reference only and does not represent any investment advice or the official views of FameEX.