River Financial Predicts Bitcoin Will Anchor America’s Next Financial Era

The US is on the cusp of a financial transformation and Bitcoin is going to be the foundation of it, according to a new 2025 report from River Financial. The River report outlines how the US can gain long term advantages through its dominance in Bitcoin mining, institutional asset management and state level policies that favor digital assets.

Released on May 20, the “America Report 2025” makes the case that Bitcoin’s integration into America’s financial, technological and energy infrastructure is not only solidifying the country’s global crypto leadership but can be the base for economic growth over the next decade.

Institutional Maturity is Market Leadership

One of River report’s main points is that the US now has the most advanced institutional Bitcoin ecosystem in the world. This includes the launch of multiple spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the growth of regulated custodians like Coinbase Custody and increased participation from Fortune 500 companies, pension funds and registered investment advisors.

The report says as of Q2 2025, US based issuers reportedly control over 75% of global Bitcoin ETF assets under management. Coinbase Custody reportedly has over 900,000 BTC on behalf of institutional clients. Notably this has turned Bitcoin from a fringe speculative asset to a fully integrated part of traditional finance.

From Tech Infrastructure to Grid Stabilization

According to data from Hashrate Index, as of April 2025, over 38% of the global Bitcoin hashrate comes from the US, nearly twice that of any other country. This growth is largely driven by publicly traded mining companies expanding domestic operations and taking advantage of state incentives.

This concentration of mining power, River report argues, gives the US control over Bitcoin’s technical resilience and governance. Beyond blockchain specific advantages, the report shows the role of Bitcoin mining in energy grid management. Miners can adjust power consumption quickly so they demand response tools that help stabilize energy grids during peak loads.

Texas is the proving ground for this. Riot Platforms and Marathon Digital Holdings, two of the largest miners in the country, have participated in ERCOT’s energy curtailment programs. These programs pay miners to shut down during peak demand and free up electricity for residential and industrial users.

State-Level Support for Bitcoin-Friendly Corridors

The River report highlights states like Florida, Texas, Tennessee and Wyoming as “Bitcoin corridors”,  jurisdictions that offer legal clarity and economic incentives for crypto users, businesses and developers.

Tennessee passed a bill in early 2025 that granted legal protections for self custody and node operation. Florida has maintained its pro Bitcoin tax stance and Wyoming is rolling out bespoke legal frameworks for decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and digital identity systems.

Bitcoin’s Sociocultural Turn: A Bottom-Up Movement

Beyond institutional support, River Financial report identifies strong grassroots momentum. Survey data from the report shows over 40% of Americans under 40 have invested in or used Bitcoin. 29% of small business owners are interested in holding Bitcoin for treasury diversification.

Younger generations are driving this trend. Concerns about inflation, dollar debasement and lack of financial sovereignty are causing a turn to decentralized financial tools.

This demographic activity feeds into broader adoption. The River report notes that increased personal and business use of Bitcoin creates new liquidity flows and deeper user engagement with the ecosystem.

River’s report suggests that US economic policymakers should start framing Bitcoin like they frame gold, as a strategic reserve asset. The report stops short of recommending federal acquisition of Bitcoin but calls for policy exploration on how Bitcoin holdings could enhance national financial resilience.

River’s analysts argue that Bitcoin’s programmability, scarcity and independence from central banking makes it uniquely suited for this role in the digital age.

Conclusion: Policy, Power and Participation

While the 2025 River report is positive, it does acknowledge the challenges ahead. Federal regulatory clarity is still fragmented especially around stablecoins, staking and DeFi protocols. The SEC’s approach to digital assets is under scrutiny with ongoing litigation against Coinbase, Ripple and other US based companies.

But the report concludes that Bitcoin has moved from being an alternative to a platform for domestic capital formation, energy optimization and generational wealth strategies.

FAQs

Why is the U.S. leading in Bitcoin ETFs?

The U.S. has a mature regulatory environment so firms like BlackRock, Fidelity and Ark Invest can launch SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Which states are Bitcoin-friendly?

Florida, Texas, Wyoming and Tennessee have passed laws supporting Bitcoin use, mining and self-custody.

How does Bitcoin mining help energy grids?

Miners can shut down during peak energy demand and earn revenue through demand response programs.

What is River Financial?

River is a Bitcoin only financial services firm offering brokerage, mining, custody and Lightning Network infrastructure. It also publishes research on Bitcoin’s macroeconomic impact.

Glossary

Bitcoin ETF – A publicly traded fund that tracks the price of Bitcoin so institutional and retail investors can gain exposure without holding the asset directly.

Hashrate – The total computational power used to mine and process transactions on a blockchain, used to measure network strength.

Custody – The process of storing cryptocurrencies, often through third party services like Coinbase Custody.

Self-Custody – The act of an individual or entity holding and securing their own crypto assets without intermediaries.

Demand Response – A method of grid management where consumers adjust their energy usage during peak periods in response to price or incentive signals.

Sources

River Financial

Cryptoslate