Bitcoin Ownership Overtakes Gold as 49.6 Million Americans Now Hold BTC

River’s latest research says Bitcoin has surpassed gold as the preferred hard asset among U.S. investors. The report estimates 49.6 million Americans, or 18.6% of adults, now own bitcoin versus 28.8 million, or 10.8%, who own gold. Adoption has accelerated sharply, rising from 14.3% at the start of 2026 to 18.6% in roughly six months. The article highlights broader institutional and policy support: U.S.-based public companies hold about 1.24 million BTC, the U.S. government holds 328,372 BTC, and lawmakers are considering a formal strategic reserve. For markets, the piece reinforces the long-term bullish adoption narrative for BTC, suggesting growing mainstream acceptance and deeper structural demand, even though the article itself does not discuss an immediate price catalyst.