2025 may have ended on a poor note for crypto prices, but for anyone truly paying attention, there are clear signs that a huge rebound is on the cards. While last year’s crash saw a bunch of panic selling, there have already been some major institutional-level moves that show clear faith in a crypto resurgence at some point. Among the most prominent, Ohio’s largest public pension fund added a very large position on Strategy, Inc. (formerly MicroStrategy) to its portfolio.
Strategy is a huge Business Intelligence firm that provides strategic services for long-term planning to other companies. However, it’s also well known for holding one of the largest Bitcoin reserves in the world. The move came as the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, which manages around $120 billion in assets, publicly disclosed that it had purchased around $43 million worth of stock in the company.
While the move may seem bold to many, for seasoned crypto traders and enthusiasts, it’s simply more mainstream recognition that crypto is indeed a viable investment option that should be in any portfolio. Crypto’s growing mainstream adoption over the years certainly backs them up. Aside from a wide and global range of institutional investors that now hold crypto assets, many industries have also integrated crypto payments into their businesses. Digital services lead this charge with many eCommerce sites accepting crypto and entertainment options, like fast payout crypto casino sites, now also an entrenched part of the iGaming sector.
Crypto casinos are a perfect example of why crypto still holds a lot of mainstream potential. These casinos have become a huge hit among players and now have dozens of new platforms popping up all over the world. Players flock to them because crypto payments make it possible for them to offer immediate withdrawals, easier registrations, and larger gaming libraries. These sites have become poster children for the ease and convenience that crypto offers to the cross-border payment industry.
Despite the volatility that often makes headlines, crypto has proven resilient time and time again. While many may see Ohio’s decision to invest public money in a firm tethered to the crypto industry, industry experts still believe it’s actually a smart move for the long term. For decades, public pensions have been largely conservative. Volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and custody concerns kept most funds well away from digital assets.
That caution is starting to soften. By choosing Strategy rather than Bitcoin itself, OPERS gains indirect exposure to the asset while staying within familiar equity markets. The structure allows participation in Bitcoin’s upside without holding the asset directly on its balance sheet.
Strategy has become a well-known proxy for institutional investors seeking that kind of exposure. The company has accumulated a large Bitcoin position over several years, tying its stock performance closely to movements in the cryptocurrency’s price. Investors buying Strategy shares are effectively making a dual bet, one on Bitcoin’s long-term value and another on the firm’s underlying software business.
The decision reflects a calculated approach rather than a dramatic pivot. A $43 million allocation represents a small fraction of OPERS’ total assets. Still, the symbolism matters. When a pension fund of this scale makes even a modest move toward crypto-linked investments, it sends a signal to the wider market.
Michael Saylor’s role in shaping Strategy’s identity cannot be ignored. As the company’s executive chairman, he has consistently framed Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and a long-term store of value. That narrative has resonated with institutions searching for ways to protect purchasing power in a world of persistent fiscal pressure. For pensions with decades-long horizons, the appeal of a scarce digital asset fits in naturally with the concept of long-term capital preservation.
The Ohio fund’s investment may prove to be a small footnote or an early marker of a larger trend. Either way, it underscores how institutional attitudes are changing toward crypto-related investments.