Whenever you are considering investing, the two big words that automatically come to mind are Bitcoin and stocks. But have you ever heard of the term “Bitcoin stock” and were left questioning what it refers to? Is it referring to the cryptocurrency itself, a crypto-related company, or something else?
As Bitcoin makes headlines, institutional investors are starting to sit up and take notice. Meanwhile, a lot of new investors are looking to get a slice of the action but without buying Bitcoin directly. That’s where Bitcoin-related stocks fit the bill. They are shares of companies that have something to do with the crypto universe. Some are Bitcoin mining giants, others create blockchain technology, and some even have large stacks of Bitcoin on their balance sheets.
Here, we’re going to take a deeper dive into what “Bitcoin stock” really is, pick out the best companies to watch in 2025, and determine whether investing in Bitcoin stocks is more intelligent—or dangerous—than investing in Bitcoin itself.
Understanding the Difference Between Bitcoin and Bitcoin Stock
Let’s learn the distinction between Bitcoin and Bitcoin stock—what each of them is and how they are different.
Bitcoin is a digital currency or cryptocurrency. It was invented in 2009 by someone or a group of people using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin is not controlled by a state, business, or bank. Instead, it works using something called a blockchain, which is a computer record book shared between many computers.
Individuals can utilize Bitcoin to make purchases, transfer money, or keep it as an investment, similar to gold. The supply of Bitcoins is capped at 21 million, so it is finite and potentially worth a lot. Many investors prefer Bitcoin because it provides independence from the banking system and can possibly yield high returns. It also has high risks because of its volatility in terms of price.
On the other hand, Bitcoin stock does not mean owning Bitcoin itself. Instead, it means the shares of companies involved in the Bitcoin ecosystem. These companies can mine Bitcoin, operate crypto exchanges, produce blockchain software, or keep Bitcoin in their investment portfolio.
Bitcoin stock is an investment in a company that can gain from the development of Bitcoin, even if Bitcoin itself is a virtual currency. For instance, the value of shares of companies that have associated with Bitcoin is likely to increase alongside an increase in the value of Bitcoin, though this does not always happen. Such shares are affected by the management, the general stock market, and the performance of the company.
Also Read: 7 Bitcoin Mining Software for 2025
Top 5 Bitcoin-Related Stocks
So now, if you want to be in the crypto space, you can consider Bitcoin-related stocks. These are companies that work with Bitcoin in some way—whether through mining, trading, technology, or even holding Bitcoin as an asset. Let’s take a look at the top companies to keep an eye on in 2025.
Strategy Incorporated (MSTR)
Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, is one of the most prominent companies in the crypto space, known for its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy. Co-founded by Michael Saylor, who currently serves as Executive Chairman, the company has made Bitcoin the core of its financial vision. Saylor is one of Bitcoin’s most vocal advocates and has led the company to purchase more Bitcoin than any other publicly traded firm.
As of July 2025, MicroStrategy holds a total of 601,550 BTC, purchased at an average price of $71,290 per Bitcoin. The total cost of this purchase is around $42.9 billion, including fees. At current market rates, the value of this holding is over $73 billion, giving the company an unrealized profit of approximately $30 billion.
Stock Overview
- Stock Name: MSTR
- Stock price: $451.34
- Year-to-date gain: +50%
- Market Cap: $126.81 Billion
Coinbase Global Inc.
Coinbase is the largest crypto exchange in the U.S., helping people buy, sell, and store digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. As of the latest data, Coinbase holds about 9,267 BTC on its own balance sheet, along with around 90,000 ETH. The company also holds a much larger amount of Bitcoin for its customers, but those coins belong to users, not Coinbase itself.
Founded by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam, Coinbase became a public company in 2021. Armstrong owns around 16% of the company, and Ehrsam owns about 4.5%. With the rise of crypto trading, Coinbase has grown rapidly and is now seen as a key stock for anyone wanting exposure to the crypto industry.
Stock Overview
- Stock Name: COIN
- Stock Price: $410.75
- Year-to-Date Gain: +60%
- Market Cap: $104.62 Billion
BlackRock Inc. (BLK)
BlackRock Inc. is the world’s largest asset management company, managing over $9.2 trillion in assets. Headquartered in New York City, it has offices in 30 countries and clients in over 100. The company was founded in 1988 by a group of investors including Larry Fink, who is now its Chairman and CEO. BlackRock is a key player in the global financial system and is known for its leadership in ETFs.
In 2024, BlackRock made a big move into the crypto world by launching the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), a spot Bitcoin ETF. This fund gives traditional investors an easy way to gain exposure to Bitcoin without owning it directly. As of now, IBIT holds 727,359 BTC worth over $87.6 billion, which is about 3.46% of Bitcoin’s total supply.
Stock Overview
- Stock Name: BLK
- Stock Price: $1,105.38
- Year-to-Date Gain: +8%
- Market Cap: $180.65 Billion
Riot Platforms, Inc. (RIOT)
Riot Platforms is one of the largest Bitcoin mining companies in North America, based in Castle Rock, Colorado. Formerly known as Bioptix, Inc., the company rebranded to focus entirely on crypto mining. Riot uses high-powered computers to mine Bitcoin and operates Whinstone US in Texas, the largest mining facility in North America. In 2024, Riot mined 4,828 BTC and now holds 19,225 BTC, worth around $2.31 billion.
Riot’s stock is closely tied to Bitcoin’s price and mining economics. To expand further, the company ordered 33,280 new miners for its Corsicana facility, targeting a hash rate of 20.2 EH/s there alone. Led by CEO Jason Les, Riot remains a top pick for investors seeking indirect exposure to Bitcoin through the stock market.
Stock Overview
- Stock Name: RIOT
- Stock Price: $13.33
- Year-to-Date Gain: +27%
- Market Cap: $4.76 Billion
MARA Holdings, Inc. (MARA)
Marathon Digital is a U.S.-based company that focuses only on Bitcoin mining. Founded in 2010 and based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, it runs one of the largest Bitcoin mining operations in the world. As of June 2025, Marathon owns 49,179 BTC, valued at around $5.92 billion. The company mines Bitcoin using advanced machines and currently has an installed hash rate of 30.6 EH/s. While they aim to hold most of their mined Bitcoin, they do sell a portion to cover costs and business operations.
Marathon is a public company listed on NASDAQ. Around 30% of its stock is owned by institutional investors. The company is led by Fred Thiel, who became CEO in 2021. Marathon does not mine Ethereum or any other crypto—it’s fully focused on Bitcoin. This makes it a go-to stock for investors looking for pure Bitcoin mining exposure.
Stock Overview:
- Stock Name: MARA
- Stock Price: $19.97
- Year-to-Date Gain: +16.%
- Market Cap: $7.03 Billion
Also Read: The 11 Best Crypto Exchanges to Use in 2025
How to Invest in Bitcoin or Bitcoin Stock?
If you’re new to crypto investing, don’t worry—it’s simpler than it seems. Here’s how you can begin investing in them:
- Step 1: Select a reliable app or website where you can trade ordinary stocks (such as Zerodha, Groww, Robinhood, Fidelity, etc.).
- Step 2: Sign up with your information, do KYC (verification of ID), and connect your bank account.
- Step 3: Fund your trading account so you can purchase Bitcoin stocks.
- Step 4: Search for companies that are related to Bitcoin, such as MicroStrategy (MSTR), Coinbase (COIN), Marathon Digital (MARA), Riot Platforms (RIOT), and Block Inc. (SQ). These are the Bitcoin stocks that allow you to invest in the crypto world without purchasing Bitcoin outright. Just type their names or symbols on your trading app.
- Step 5: Click “Buy,” put in the quantity or number of shares, and execute the order. You then hold a Bitcoin-related stock!
- Step 6: Look at your app every now and then to view how your stock is doing. These stocks tend to follow Bitcoin’s price.
Final Thoughts: Is Bitcoin Stock Right for You?
Bitcoin and Bitcoin-related stocks are two sides of the same coin, but they’re not identical. While Bitcoin offers direct exposure to the digital currency itself, Bitcoin stocks provide an indirect route through companies building the crypto ecosystem. Both options carry risk and reward, and choosing the right one depends on your risk tolerance, investment style, and belief in the future of crypto.
If you believe in Bitcoin but want to avoid the hassle of wallets, private keys, and exchanges, stocks like MicroStrategy, Coinbase, or Marathon Digital might be your best bet. If you’re more risk-averse but still curious, Bitcoin ETFs like BlackRock’s IBIT offer a middle ground.
As always, do your own research, track Bitcoin market trends, and never invest more than you can afford to lose. The crypto world is fast-changing—but for the bold, it’s full of opportunity.
Also Read: Upcoming U.S. Crypto ETFs to Watch in 2025
