Will the US Take Over Bitcoin Ownership? Michael Saylor Weighs In

Bitcoin's evolving role in global finance continues to spark debate and bold predictions. From Michael Saylor's assertion of U.S. dominance in Bitcoin ownership to Matthew Sigel's ambitious $180,000 price target, industry leaders are shaping the narrative of cryptocurrency's future. Meanwhile, market movements, ETF innovations, and mining challenges highlight the dynamic landscape of digital assets. Dive into the latest insights and trends shaping the world of Bitcoin and beyond.

Bitcoin Ownership and Predictions: Insights from Industry Leaders

Michael Saylor, co-founder of MicroStrategy, has made a bold claim regarding Bitcoin ownership. According to an article on Binance titled "Michael Saylor Says Only One Nation Can Own 20% of Bitcoin, and It’ll Be the US," Saylor believes that the United States has the potential to dominate Bitcoin ownership, acquiring up to 20% of the total supply. However, the article's content was unavailable due to technical issues, leaving readers curious about the details of his argument. For more information, visit Binance's website at https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/20591709492065.

Cryptocurrency Market Movements: Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Binance Coin

FXStreet reported on the latest cryptocurrency price trends in their article "Cryptocurrencies Price Prediction: Bitcoin, Litecoin & Binance Coin – Asian Wrap 21 February." Bitcoin (BTC) traded above $98,000 on Thursday, continuing its range-bound movement. Meanwhile, traditional assets like Gold and the S&P 500 reached record highs. Litecoin (LTC) saw a price drop to $121, a 5% decline from its 30-day peak of $130, following the US SEC's confirmation of Bitwise's LTC ETF filing. Binance Coin (BNB) rebounded 4% in the last 24 hours, maintaining its position above the $650 support level. For the full analysis, visit FXStreet at https://www.fxstreet.com/cryptocurrencies/news/cryptocurrencies-price-prediction-bitcoin-litecoin-binance-coin-asian-wrap-21-february-202502210514.

Bitcoin's Potential Surge to $180,000

Matthew Sigel, head of digital assets research at VanEck, shared his optimistic outlook for Bitcoin in an interview covered by The Daily Hodl. In the article "Here’s How Bitcoin (BTC) Could Skyrocket to $180,000 This Year," Sigel predicts that Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by the end of 2025, assuming a 1,000% price return from its previous cycle trough. He also suggests that Bitcoin could achieve a medium-term price of $450,000 if it surpasses 50% of gold's market cap used for speculative purposes. Bitcoin was trading at $96,173 at the time of writing. For more details, visit The Daily Hodl at https://dailyhodl.com/2025/02/20/heres-how-bitcoin-btc-could-skyrocket-to-180000-this-year-according-to-vaneck-executive-matthew-sigel/.

Franklin Templeton's Bitcoin-Ethereum ETF Launch

CryptoSlate reported on the launch of Franklin Templeton's dual Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, trading under the ticker EZPZ on Cboe. The ETF allocates 82% to Bitcoin and 18% to Ethereum, with plans to include more cryptocurrencies as regulatory approvals expand. As of February 19, the fund held 22.12 BTC and 123.55 ETH, custodied by Coinbase. This marks Franklin Templeton's third crypto ETF, following the launches of their Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs last year. For more information, visit CryptoSlate at https://cryptoslate.com/franklin-templeton-bitcoin-ethereum-etf-begins-trading-in-the-us/.

Challenges in Bitcoin Mining

CoinDesk highlighted the slowing growth of Bitcoin's hashrate in their article "Bitcoin Hashrate Growth Slows Amid Tough Market Conditions for Smaller Miners." In January 2025, Bitcoin mining revenue remained steady at $1.4 billion, with public mining companies accounting for 30% of the network's hashrate. The leading mining firm, Marathon Digital, achieved a hashrate of 41.65 EH/s, followed by CleanSpark at 34.77 EH/s. Smaller miners face increasing challenges due to reduced profitability and competition from larger firms. For the full report, visit CoinDesk at https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/02/20/bitcoin-hashrate-growth-slows-amid-tough-market-conditions-for-smaller-players.

US Treasury Trends and Bitcoin's Role

Cointelegraph explored the implications of muted demand for long-dated US Treasurys in their article "Muted demand for long-dated US Treasurys raises alarm — Is Bitcoin at risk?" The US Dollar Index fell to a 70-day low, while Bitcoin's price climbed above $98,000 on February 20. Several US states, including Montana, have proposed legislation to allow Bitcoin as a reserve asset. This shift could position Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and fiscal uncertainty. For more insights, visit Cointelegraph at https://cointelegraph.com/news/muted-demand-for-long-dated-us-treasurys-raises-alarm-is-bitcoin-at-risk.

Michael Saylor's assertion that the United States could potentially own 20% of Bitcoin's total supply is a bold and provocative statement. While the feasibility of such a scenario is debatable, it underscores the growing recognition of Bitcoin as a strategic asset on a national level. If a nation-state were to accumulate such a significant portion of Bitcoin, it would not only solidify its influence over the cryptocurrency market but also position Bitcoin as a key component of its financial and geopolitical strategy. However, this raises questions about decentralization, a core principle of Bitcoin, and whether such concentrated ownership could undermine its foundational ethos.

The recent price movements in Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Binance Coin reflect the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of the cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin's continued range-bound trading above $98,000 suggests a period of consolidation, potentially setting the stage for a breakout. Litecoin's decline following regulatory developments highlights the sensitivity of altcoins to external factors, particularly regulatory actions. Meanwhile, Binance Coin's resilience above its support level demonstrates the strength of its ecosystem, driven by Binance's dominance in the crypto space. These trends emphasize the importance of understanding both macroeconomic factors and project-specific developments when navigating the crypto market.

Matthew Sigel's prediction of Bitcoin reaching $180,000 by 2025 and potentially $450,000 in the medium term is an ambitious yet intriguing outlook. His analysis, which ties Bitcoin's valuation to gold's market cap, reflects a growing narrative of Bitcoin as "digital gold." While such projections are speculative, they highlight the increasing institutional interest and the potential for Bitcoin to capture a larger share of the global store-of-value market. However, achieving these price levels would require significant adoption, regulatory clarity, and macroeconomic conditions that favor Bitcoin as a hedge against traditional financial instruments.

Franklin Templeton's launch of a dual Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF is a significant milestone in the evolution of cryptocurrency investment products. By offering exposure to both Bitcoin and Ethereum, the ETF caters to investors seeking diversified exposure to the two largest cryptocurrencies. The allocation strategy, with a heavier weight on Bitcoin, reflects its status as the dominant asset in the crypto market. This development also signals growing acceptance of crypto ETFs by regulators, paving the way for broader adoption and integration of digital assets into traditional financial markets.

The slowing growth of Bitcoin's hashrate, as highlighted by CoinDesk, points to the increasing challenges faced by smaller mining operations. The dominance of large public mining companies, such as Marathon Digital and CleanSpark, underscores the trend toward industrial-scale mining. This centralization of mining power raises concerns about the resilience and decentralization of the Bitcoin network. Additionally, the steady mining revenue amidst tough market conditions suggests that only the most efficient and well-capitalized miners will thrive, potentially squeezing out smaller players and reshaping the mining landscape.

The muted demand for long-dated US Treasurys and the corresponding rise in Bitcoin's price highlight a shifting macroeconomic environment. As traditional safe-haven assets like Treasurys face declining demand, Bitcoin's role as a hedge against inflation and fiscal uncertainty becomes more pronounced. The legislative proposals in US states to adopt Bitcoin as a reserve asset further reinforce its growing acceptance as a legitimate financial instrument. However, this trend also introduces risks, as Bitcoin's price volatility could pose challenges for its adoption as a reserve asset. The interplay between traditional financial markets and Bitcoin will likely continue to evolve, shaping its role in the global economy.

Sources: