Bitcoin is moving again. After several quiet weeks, the asset climbed to $87,000, a shift that has caught the attention of traders and long-term holders alike.
While this change might seem sudden, several developments are contributing to it. Speculation around strategic purchases by the United States government and renewed interest from institutions create a more confident mood in the market.
United States May Begin Buying Bitcoin
One of the biggest talking points this week came from Galaxy Digital’s Alex Thorn, who suggested that the United States government could begin acquiring Bitcoin using existing digital assets in its possession.
The proposal would avoid using taxpayer money by reallocating altcoins from the government’s current reserves.
This suggestion follows an executive order signed by President Trump, which laid the groundwork for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
The order prohibits the sale of Bitcoin once acquired and instructs government departments to find ways to obtain BTC while staying within a neutral budget framework.
i now think the U.S. government could buy bitcoin this year for its strategic reserve, and the easiest (likeliest?) pathway would be to use alts from its digital assets stockpile — i explain here pic.twitter.com/EcPGWlHRJe
— Alex Thorn (@intangiblecoins) April 20, 2025
Thorn explained that by selling altcoins through BTC trading pairs, the Treasury could accumulate Bitcoin without involving traditional spending.
These statements represent a shift in tone from earlier predictions, including Galaxy’s end-of-year report, which said the US would only build a passive stockpile. The recent comments show that policy discussions may be evolving more quickly than expected.
At the same time, the broader political stance appears to be changing. Trump has repeatedly voiced support for digital assets and is now positioning the country to treat Bitcoin not as a passing trend, but as a national asset with long-term importance.
If the government does follow through, it would be the first major country to begin building a formal Bitcoin reserve, setting a precedent that others might watch closely.
Institutions Return to the Market
Alongside policy signals from the US, the corporate sector is also showing renewed interest in Bitcoin.
Based on public data as of Q1 2025, over 13,000 institutions and 814,000 retail accounts hold $MSTR directly. An estimated 55 million beneficiaries have indirect exposure through ETFs, mutual funds, pensions, and insurance portfolios.
— Michael Saylor (@saylor) April 20, 2025
MicroStrategy, led by Michael Saylor, has revealed plans to acquire more Bitcoin, possibly up to $2 billion. This follows their recent purchase of 3,459 BTC worth over $285 million.
Semler Scientific is also reportedly planning to buy $500 million worth of BTC. Although details are still unfolding, the scale of these proposed moves is enough to drive renewed speculation across the market.
Data from SaylorTracker shows that MicroStrategy now holds more than 531,000 BTC, currently valued at over $44.9 billion. The firm has seen over 25 % gains on its holdings, strengthening its position as a leading corporate holder.
More than 13,000 institutions and 814,000 retail accounts hold MicroStrategy shares directly, and around 55 million people have indirect exposure through investment funds, pensions, and insurance portfolios.
This level of exposure signals that Bitcoin is increasingly tied to mainstream finance. With MicroStrategy now included in the Nasdaq 100 index, passive funds tracking the index are automatically increasing their exposure to BTC through the company’s stock. This makes it more difficult for traditional investors to avoid Bitcoin, even if indirectly.
There is also growing confidence in the stability of the market. Analyst Eric Balchunas pointed out that Bitcoin ETFs have seen inflows of $2.4 billion since the start of the year.
These capital flows are providing support to the market and helping absorb selling pressure from traders taking profits.
The combination of steady inflows and continued corporate interest is sending a clear message: long-term capital is still moving into Bitcoin, and many of the larger players have not stepped away.
Conclusion
Market conditions are improving, but caution is still needed. Bitcoin has a long history of unpredictable moves, even during strong trends.
It is important to manage exposure, stay informed, and avoid making decisions based on emotion. Momentum may be building, but discipline is what will make the difference in the weeks ahead.