The year 2024 has seen a surge in average Bitcoin and Tether (USDt) deposits across cryptocurrency exchanges, signaling rising institutional interest in digital assets. Binance has emerged as the leader in Bitcoin deposits, significantly outpacing competitors like Kraken and Coinbase.
Binance Outshines Competitors in Bitcoin Deposits
A December 3 report from CryptoQuant revealed that Binance’s average daily Bitcoin deposits grew by 2.77 BTC in 2024, far surpassing Kraken’s increase of 0.56 BTC and Coinbase’s 0.41 BTC. This positions Binance as the go-to platform for institutional and professional investors.
The report also highlighted a significant increase in Bitcoin deposits across all exchanges. The average deposit rose from 0.36 BTC in 2023 to 1.65 BTC in 2024, while USDt deposits climbed from $19,600 to $230,000. These trends indicate a growing presence of institutional investors and market makers in the crypto space.
Binance set new records in 2024, including:
- A daily deposit of 6.85 BTC on November 3, valued at $465,000.
- The highest daily USDt deposit since March 2022, at $303,000.
Binance CEO Richard Teng further disclosed in September that the exchange’s corporate clients increased by 40% in 2024, reflecting the platform’s growing appeal among institutional players.
Key Drivers Behind Institutional Adoption
Several factors have contributed to the rising demand for cryptocurrencies, particularly among institutional investors:
- Trump’s Reelection: Donald Trump’s return to the White House has boosted confidence in the crypto market. His administration is expected to implement favorable regulations, including a revamp of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the establishment of a strategic U.S. Bitcoin reserve.
- Spot Bitcoin ETFs: The introduction of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has further spurred institutional adoption. These funds now hold over $30 billion in assets, with $6.87 billion in inflows recorded in November alone.
- BlackRock’s Growing Influence: Asset management giant BlackRock oversees over 2.3% of the world’s Bitcoin supply. Its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) reached 500,380 BTC on December 2, valued at $48 billion, making it a significant player in the market.
Institutional Deposits Mark a Shift in Crypto Dynamics
CryptoQuant’s analysis notes that large Bitcoin and USDt deposits are often made by institutional investors or market makers, a trend that continued to grow throughout 2024. The sharp increase in deposit sizes underscores a shift in the crypto market toward professional and corporate participants.