Record high number of CME Bitcoin traders suggests growing institutional interest

Institutional appetite for Bitcoin continues to reach new heights, with the number of large open interest holders of CME Bitcoin futures climbing to an all-time high of 217 as of the end of May. This is up from approximately 160 at the start of the year, representing a 36% increase.

There has been a sustained upward trajectory in the number of traders since early 2024, suggesting that institutional accumulation has become a consistent theme rather than opportunistic trading around specific events. However, recent growth also speaks to the mounting institutional conviction that Bitcoin serves as a reliable store of value amid economic and geopolitical uncertainties, particularly fomented by President Donald Trump's trade policy.

The Block tracks reportable traders holding at least 25 micro Bitcoin contracts (>2.5 BTC), providing insight into sophisticated investor positioning rather than retail speculation. 

This institutional buildup coincides with an accelerating trend of corporate Bitcoin adoption, highlighted by recent high-profile treasury announcements. GameStop announced on May 28 that it bought 4,710 BTC for its balance sheet, joining a growing list of public companies viewing Bitcoin as a reserve asset. Trump Media closed a private offering on May 27, raising $2.32 billion specifically earmarked for Bitcoin purchases, which will be one of the largest single corporate Bitcoin allocations at completion.

The timing of these moves appears driven by escalating trade war tensions and policy uncertainty, with institutional investors increasingly viewing Bitcoin as a hedge against traditional financial system risks. The president's tendency to make surprise policy announcements toward the weekend has created an environment where institutions seek assets uncorrelated with traditional geopolitical and monetary policy decisions.

Combined with sustained ETF inflows discussed earlier, the data suggests Bitcoin is transitioning from a speculative asset to a standard component of institutional portfolios. The steady climb in large holder participation indicates that institutions are treating Bitcoin allocations as a strategic decision rather than a tactical trade.

This is an excerpt from  The Block's Data Insights newsletter . Dig into the numbers making up the industry's most thought-provoking trends.