Forget expanding factories or hiring staff—this summer’s most talked-about business move is something far less traditional: loading up on bitcoin and obscure altcoins.
In an increasingly surreal financial climate, dozens of small and mid-sized companies are issuing billions in new capital not to invest in operations or innovation—but to buy crypto assets outright. And not just blue-chip tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum. They're snapping up the likes of Solana, Dogecoin, and even lesser-known coins with meme-worthy names and little institutional backing.
Since June 1, nearly 100 companies have raised over $43 billion specifically for cryptocurrency purchases, according to figures from Architect Partners, a digital asset advisory firm. That brings the 2025 total to nearly $86 billion, more than double what’s been raised in traditional U.S. IPOs this year, per Dealogic data.
📈 “When a company announces it’s buying crypto, its stock price often soars—regardless of fundamentals,” said Matt Furlong, a fintech analyst at Carnegie Partners. “It’s momentum meets mania.”
From Nail Salons to Semiconductors—Crypto Mania Spreads
It’s not just fintech firms jumping in. A Japanese hotel chain, a French chipmaker, a Florida toy manufacturer, and even a U.S. electric-bike company have all announced crypto-buying sprees in recent weeks. Some are even pivoting entirely—rebranding themselves around blockchain narratives to ride the wave of investor euphoria.
In one notable example, shares of a little-known Canadian recycling firm skyrocketed over 300% after announcing a $250 million crypto treasury plan. The company’s new mission? "Capital allocation via decentralized assets."
🚨 Are We In a Bubble? Experts Sound the Alarm
While the market euphoria has driven crypto prices to all-time highs, not everyone is buying the hype. Some of the world’s most seasoned investors warn that companies are essentially turning into speculative crypto ETFs—often without the governance or disclosure protections those vehicles provide.
“The Commission’s new approach to crypto enforcement will put investors at risk and could ‘rapidly erode trust in the markets,’” cautioned Corey Frayer, who served as a senior advisor to former SEC Chair Gary Gensler and is now Investor Protection Director at the Consumer Federation of America.
Indeed, many of these crypto-hungry firms now trade at valuations that far exceed the worth of their underlying tokens. In effect, investors are paying $2 for every $1 of bitcoin these firms hold—betting that the hype will attract more buyers down the line.
🏦 Who’s Fueling the Fire?
Some of Wall Street’s biggest names are backing the trend. Capital Group, D1 Capital Partners, and Cantor Fitzgerald have all participated in recent crypto-funding rounds, signaling that institutional appetite for high-risk, high-reward plays is far from dead—even in a post-FTX world.
These firms are helping companies structure debt and equity vehicles designed for one purpose only: buying and holding digital tokens.
Why Not Just Buy Bitcoin Directly?
That’s the paradox puzzling many skeptics. Why funnel capital through a public company when low-cost ETFs and direct exchanges offer simpler access to crypto?
“If your investment thesis is crypto, why involve a toy maker or a hotel chain?” asks Elan Bergman, a partner at fintech consultancy ChainAxis. “The short answer is hype. Investors chase stories, not balance sheets.”
And with Spot Bitcoin ETFs and tokenized funds seeing record inflows this year, the distinction between direct and indirect exposure has never been more important—or more confusing.
What Happens When the Music Stops?
If crypto prices plunge—or if regulatory scrutiny catches up with these creative treasuries—the fallout could be brutal. Shareholders might find themselves exposed to risky tokens without understanding they’d ever bought in.
Already, watchdogs at the SEC and FINRA are reportedly monitoring the trend, concerned that the lines between legitimate corporate strategy and speculative arbitrage are blurring beyond recognition.
“We saw this in 2021, we’re seeing it again now—but this time it’s on steroids,” said Barbara King, director of research at the Center for Financial Stability.
Key Takeaway:
The line between corporate growth and crypto speculation has never been thinner. Investors should look past the hype and understand exactly what they’re buying—before the music stops.
FAQs: Why Businesses Are Betting on Bitcoin—and What Could Go Wrong
Why are companies buying crypto instead of investing in operations?
Many firms are chasing short-term gains and stock price boosts driven by crypto hype, rather than pursuing traditional business growth strategies.
Is it safe to invest in a company just because it holds cryptocurrency?
Not necessarily. While crypto exposure can attract investor interest, it also brings extreme volatility and regulatory uncertainty.
Can public companies legally use shareholder money to buy crypto?
Yes, but they must disclose this clearly. Investors should read earnings reports, 10-Ks, and S-1 filings carefully.
What could go wrong with this trend?
If crypto prices crash or regulations tighten, companies heavily exposed to digital assets may suffer major losses—taking investors down with them.
