From Fringe to Finance: Bitcoin’s Transition into a Mainstream Investment Vehicle Part II

By
Cheng Yan
December 9, 2025

Continuing from the previous discussion: speculation is easy, but the real test is in the data. Do the empirical results align with our lived experience? Let’s dig into it.

The chart below compares BTC, SPY, and Gold. It’s easy to see the volatility gap narrowing between BTC and other traditional assets.

Continuing from the previous discussion: speculation is easy, but the real test is in the data. Do the empirical results align with our lived experience? Let’s dig into it.

The chart below compares BTC, SPY, and Gold. It’s easy to see the volatility gap narrowing between BTC and other traditional assets.

1. Declining Volatility Over Time

  • Historical Trend: BTC’s volatility has generally decreased over multi-year cycles. especial after 1st eft start trading.
  • Why It Matters: Lower volatility makes BTC more palatable for institutional investors, treasury allocations, and even ETF inclusion.
    the vol dropped after CME future available

the further vol drop after ETF available

2. Reduced Liquid Supply

  • HODLing Behavior: On-chain data shows a growing share of BTC hasn’t moved in >1 year. According to the data, “illiquid”—held long-term by institutions, whales, or lost wallets.

3. Institutional Adoption & Financialization

  • Spot Bitcoin ETFs : Approved in January 2024, these ETFs brought legitimization and easier access for traditional finance players.
  • Corporate Treasuries: Companies like MicroStrategy, and others hold BTC as a reserve asset.
  • Custody Solutions: Fidelity, BlackRock, Coinbase Custody, and others now offer regulated BTC custody—reducing perceived security risks.

4. Regulatory Clarity

5. Integration into Traditional Finance Infrastructure

  • Futures & Options Markets: Deep liquidity in CME Bitcoin futures.
  • Collateral Use: BTC accepted as collateral by banks (e.g., SEBA, Sygnum) and DeFi protocols.
  • Wealth Management Platforms: Platforms like eToro, Robinhood, and even private banks now offer BTC exposure.