Bitcoin and crypto soared in May amid expanding support from institutions, governments, and regulators, notes Ikigai’s Kling.

Bitcoin’s Breakout May Fueled by Institutional Inflows, Regulatory Gains, and Strategic Moves — Ikigai’s Travis Kling

May 2025 proved to be a landmark month for Bitcoin and the broader crypto market, driven by massive institutional buying, important regulatory progress, and bold strategic initiatives, according to Travis Kling, CEO of Ikigai Asset Management.

Bitcoin surged to new record levels, reaching $112,000 as major corporations like MicroStrategy invested $2.7 billion in multiple purchases. Meanwhile, Bitcoin spot ETFs attracted over $5 billion in inflows, highlighting growing demand from mainstream investors.

Notable companies including Trump Media & Technology Group and Twenty One Capital committed billions toward Bitcoin treasury management, while Nakamoto Holdings, led by David Bailey, raised $710 million via a reverse merger to support its BTC accumulation strategy.

Beyond Bitcoin, public firms such as SharpLink Gaming and VivoPower announced sizable private placements aimed at building treasury reserves in Ethereum and XRP, signaling diversification across digital assets.

On the regulatory front, the landscape brightened as states like New Hampshire and Arizona enacted Bitcoin reserve legislation. Progress continued with the GENIUS Stablecoin Bill advancing in the Senate, and key rulings from the SEC and OCC affirmed that staking is not a security and that U.S. banks may legally hold and trade Bitcoin.

In market developments, Coinbase’s $2.9 billion acquisition of Deribit reinforced its leadership in crypto derivatives, despite challenges from a recent data breach. Kraken also announced plans to launch tokenized stock trading on Solana, while the SUI blockchain raised $200 million to back the Cetus protocol, underscoring innovation in decentralized finance.

Globally, Metaplanet in Japan and The Blockchain Group in France raised hundreds of millions to expand their Bitcoin holdings, reflecting the international momentum behind crypto adoption. The Nasdaq climbed 9%, nearing its all-time highs and signaling robust investor appetite.

Adding to the month’s momentum, Stripe introduced stablecoin accounts, exemplifying the crypto industry’s accelerating institutionalization and the increasing integration of digital assets into traditional financial frameworks.