Bitcoin 2025: Has Bitcoin been captured by politics and institutions?

Byte-Sized Insight by Cointelegraph

Is Bitcoin still the decentralized money movement it set out to be — or has it been co-opted by politics and institutions?

In this week’s Byte-Sized Insight, Gareth Jenkinson travels to Las Vegas for Bitcoin 2025, where political figures, Bitcoin treasury companies, and institutional giants shared the stage. Featuring interviews with Metaplanet’s Dylan LeClair, Twenty One’s Jack Mallers and legendary cryptographer Adam Back, we explore the rise of Bitcoin-native public companies, the implications of mainstream political embrace, and what this all means for the future of BTC.

(00:46) Cointelegraph heads to Bitcoin 2025
(01:32) The rise of Bitcoin treasury companies
(04:56) Metaplanet on the risks of Bitcoin treasury companies
(06:50) Jack Maller on the rise of institutional and political Bitcoin
(09:11) The evolution of Bitcoin’s use cases
(11:23) Adam Back on the future of Bitcoin
(14:01) Institutions vs individuals, who really owns Bitcoin now?
This episode was hosted by Gareth Jenkinson and produced by Gareth Jenkinson and Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.
Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.
If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!
The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.