Has Bitcoin been captured by politics and institutions?
Bitcoin has evolved from a niche cypherpunk experiment to a significant player in political and financial arenas by 2025. The Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas showcased this transformation, featuring prominent political figures like US Vice President JD Vance and institutional investors. The emergence of Bitcoin treasury companies, inspired by MicroStrategy, is notable, with firms like Metaplanet and Twenty One integrating Bitcoin into their balance sheets. Metaplanet's director, Dylan LeClair, expressed a commitment to acquiring more Bitcoin, reflecting enthusiasm in Japan's market. Jack Mallers, CEO of Strike, highlighted Bitcoin's evolving use cases, emphasizing its role in payments and value storage. Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, noted that institutional adoption represents new use cases for Bitcoin, underscoring its growing global significance.
