Bitcoin, the decentralised cryptocurrency that started as a tech enthusiast’s experiment in 2009, has quietly grown into something much bigger. Its rise hasn’t been a flashy overnight takeover but a slow, steady spread, finding its way into corporate strategies and diverse corners of the world. This piece explores how Bitcoin’s presence is expanding across institutions and geographies, looking at key moments, challenges, and what’s shaping its path, without pushing anyone toward specific choices.
Back in the day, Bitcoin was the kind of thing traditional finance rolled its eyes at—too wild, too unproven. By the mid-2010s, its staying power started turning heads. In 2020, MicroStrategy made a bold move by putting Bitcoin in its treasury, pointing to inflation and currency concerns. Others, like Square (now Block) and Galaxy Digital, followed. By 2025, data shows over 50 publicly traded companies worldwide holding Bitcoin, a clear sign of growing corporate comfort.
The launch of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) was a big step. Canada led the way in 2021 with the first Bitcoin ETF, and the U.S. followed in 2023. These funds let institutions get involved without dealing with tech headaches like securing private keys. By mid-2025, global Bitcoin ETFs will manage over $100 billion in assets, showing how much trust is building among big players. Banks and payment giants are also coming around. JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs now offer Bitcoin services, from custody to trading desks. PayPal and Visa have made it easier for merchants to accept Bitcoin, smoothing its path into everyday use. It’s worth noting that you should consider Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general only if they’re legal in your region and comply with local laws.
We may agree or not, but the reality is that despite all the scepticism, this shift is a long way from Bitcoin’s early days as a niche curiosity.
Bitcoin’s spread across the globe is uneven but intriguing, shaped by local economies, rules, and tech access. Each region has its own reasons for engaging, from necessity to experimentation. In North America, the U.S. and Canada are leading the charge. The U.S. will have thousands of Bitcoin ATMs by 2025, making it easy to buy or sell. Canada’s clear regulations have created a lively ecosystem for crypto startups and exchanges, keeping the region a hub for Bitcoin activity. Latin America tells a different story. El Salvador made waves in 2021 by adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, a move that got others like Panama thinking. In places like Venezuela and Argentina, where hyperinflation hits hard, Bitcoin’s a tool for preserving wealth.
Africa stands out for Bitcoin’s potential. With over 60% of people unbanked, per World Bank data, Bitcoin offers a way around traditional finance. In Nigeria and Kenya, it’s catching on for remittances and small-scale trading, powered by mobile wallets and widespread smartphone use. By 2024, Nigeria became Africa’s second-largest Bitcoin trading market, just behind South Africa. Asia’s a mixed picture. Japan’s been Bitcoin-friendly since 2017, with thousands of merchants accepting it. South Korea’s crypto scene is active despite strict rules. China’s crackdowns on trading and mining have slowed things, but underground networks keep going. Southeast Asia, like Vietnam and Thailand, is seeing more retail use, driven by tech-savvy younger folks. Europe’s finding a middle ground. Switzerland and Malta are crypto-friendly hubs, attracting Bitcoin businesses with clear rules. The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, rolled out in 2024, has given institutions a clearer path, balancing innovation with consumer protections.
Coming to Bitcoin as an asset, many countries like India have put a 1% transaction tax on each transaction. It is for this reason that in such geographies, trading may not remain as suitable as, say, buying and holding (or HODLing) for long.
But in other geographies where this is not the case, many crypto market participants regularly trade in Bitcoin and other cryptos via CanWealth in the short term, which, of course, we assume is suited for their risk appetite.
But Bitcoin’s journey isn’t without obstacles. Regulations differ wildly—some places embrace it, others shut it out. Security risks, like exchange hacks or wallet issues, keep some cautious. High transaction fees during busy network times can also make it less practical for small payments. But there’s progress. The Lightning Network is making transactions faster and cheaper. Better custody solutions are easing institutional worries, and clearer regulations are helping too. Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins keeps it relevant in a world where fiat currencies face inflation pressures. Looking forward, Bitcoin’s likely to grow in places with unstable economies or limited banking access. As internet and smartphone use spreads, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia, its reach will expand. Institutions will probably keep exploring new financial products, like futures or options, that emerge.
Bitcoin’s story is one of gradual progress. From corporate balance sheets to far-off regions, it’s carving out a space in a way that’s hard to overlook. Challenges like regulation and scalability remain, but its decentralised nature and growing infrastructure keep it moving forward. Where it heads next depends on how the world keeps adapting to this digital experiment.