Bitcoin remains the main benchmark of the crypto world, setting the tone for the market and influencing investor sentiment. After Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, Bitcoin broke through a new high, reaching $75,000, which significantly increased the optimism of market participants. In the wake of euphoria, both private investors and public companies began to buy the first cryptocurrency more actively. The interest was further fueled by Trump's proposal in December 2024 to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve in the United States, similar to the oil reserve. After that, the value of the asset rose to a record $106,000.

However, despite the bursts of optimism, companies remain cautious: they do not chase the hype, carefully assess risks and try to find a balance between potential profits and capital preservation, often returning to more traditional assets such as gold.

Bitcoin has long been considered “digital gold,” but public companies are facing a dilemma: whether to keep capital in stable assets like gold or take risks for potentially higher returns from cryptocurrencies.

Although corporate purchases of BTC have declined slightly, institutional investors continue to gobble up about 400% of the daily supply of digital gold. For comparison, until recently, this figure reached 600%. Charles Edwards, founder of the Capriole investment fund, notes that the average number of companies buying cryptocurrency daily is gradually decreasing. This can be either a temporary decline or a sign of market saturation. Nevertheless, it is positive that 93% of companies continue to buy bitcoin rather than sell it, as interest in it remains stable.

At the same time, some companies are facing record problems: the share of corporations with a market capitalization below the value of their reserves in BTC (mNAV < 1) has reached 27%. Under such conditions, it becomes unprofitable to issue shares to buy cryptocurrency, and companies often find it easier to hold positions or buy back their own devalued securities. A prolonged drop in mNAV may increase pressure on the market and increase the risk of a further decline in the price of bitcoin.

Against this backdrop, many corporations are once again turning to gold as a stable way to preserve capital. At the same time, young and experienced crypto investors, especially in South Korea, continue to actively buy digital assets. According to the Korean Times, more than 10,000 South Koreans own cryptocurrencies worth more than $750,000, and government policies in recent years have created unprecedented support for the development of the digital market, from regulating stablecoins to tax breaks for crypto companies.

As a result, corporations are balancing security and potential profits, and the market is showing a contrast: the interest of large investors remains, but the risks to corporate balance sheets are growing.

Although crypto reserves are currently gaining momentum in some countries, companies are increasingly interested in their own corporate reserves. Bitcoin remains the primary choice for most organizations due to its status as “digital gold.” At the same time, portfolio diversification remains critical: other assets can serve as additional protection against volatility and open up new opportunities for corporate finance. With this in mind, I have compiled my own ranking of assets worth considering for a corporate reserve.

1. Ethereum (ETH) remains the leader among altcoins in terms of liquidity and usage. It is a key trading coin in the DeFi world, and it is thanks to it that the lion's share of innovative projects exist. At the same time, high volatility makes ETH less attractive for long-term corporate balance sheets. Many companies view it as a speculative asset for stockpiling rather than a stable “airbag.”

2. BNB (BNB) is a native coin of the Binance exchange, and its main advantage is a close connection with the platform's ecosystem. This allows you to save on fees and participate in token sales, which adds to its practical value. For corporate reserves, BNB is interesting as a strategic asset: liquidity is combined with growth potential along with the expansion of the exchange's ecosystem. The main risk is the increased attention of regulators to Binance.

3. Ripple (XRP) is often chosen by companies that need to make transactions quickly and frequently. It is a highly liquid asset that is convenient for daily transfers and payments. While Ethereum is associated with innovation and volatile fluctuations, Ripple has become a symbol of practicality: it is faster, easier, and more predictable to use. That is why companies that work with numerous cross-border transactions look at XRP as a convenient tool that can become a working asset in the corporate reserve.

4. WhiteBIT Coin (WBT) is the native coin of the WhiteBIT exchange, which is gradually being positioned as ‘Bitcoin for the corporate ledger’. Its key difference is that it is not a coin for speculation, but rather for holding and long-term storage. By purchasing WBT, a business receives not a tool for active trading, but a predictable asset that can grow along with the development of the exchange itself. Interestingly, the company's behavioral model resembles Coinbase: an exchange's IPO and public listing can create a transparent history of a company's growth, bringing it closer to traditional investments. It is this “stability combined with a corporate approach” that allows WBT to position itself as an ideal candidate for the corporate reserve.

5. Solana (SOL) is one of the most dynamic projects of recent years. Its main advantage is fast and cheap transactions that allow scaling business solutions in the Web3 ecosystem. This opens up opportunities for companies to experiment with new payment models or integrations. However, the volatility and risks of network failures that Solana has already encountered make it a backup option rather than a mainstay.

as Bitcoin continues to set the tone for the market and companies carefully balance risk and stability, building a corporate cryptocurrency reserve is becoming an art of compromise. The largest players view Bitcoin as “digital gold,” while other assets add airbags and open up new opportunities. Ultimately, the right portfolio for business is not about chasing hype, but a strategic combination of innovation and reliability. And who knows, maybe it is the ability to balance between bold bets and a conservative strategy that will be the key to the next wave of corporate success in the crypto market.