Bitcoin Ranks Among Apple & Gold in Top 5 Assets, Overshadows China’s Banking Sector

Bitcoin's market capitalization has reached an impressive $2.05 trillion as of May 9, 2025, marking a 3.61% increase over the previous day. This milestone places Bitcoin's value at approximately twice the combined market cap of China's four largest banks—Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China Construction Bank (CCB), Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), and Bank of China (BOC)—which collectively stand at $1.035 trillion. The breakdown of these banks' market caps is as follows: ICBC at $341.76 billion, CCB at $217.6 billion, ABC at $262.4 billion, and BOC at $213.76 billion.

Comparative Analysis: Bitcoin vs. Global Assets

Currently, Bitcoin ranks as the fifth-largest asset globally, with a market cap of $2.075 trillion. It has surpassed Amazon ($2.049 trillion) and Alphabet (Google) ($1.863 trillion), as well as silver ($1.823 trillion) and Saudi Aramco ($1.65 trillion). However, Bitcoin still trails Microsoft ($3.26 trillion), Apple ($2.965 trillion), and gold, which remains the largest global asset with a market cap of $21.713 trillion.

The rise of Bitcoin in global asset rankings underscores its growing status as "digital gold." While it still lags behind traditional assets like gold and leading tech companies, Bitcoin's consistent growth trajectory reflects its increasing acceptance as a reliable store of value among investors.

Ethereum's Surge in Market Cap

Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, has also seen significant growth in its market cap. As of May 10, 2025, Ethereum's market cap has reached $316.19 billion, a sharp increase from $221.66 billion recorded on May 7, 2025—a growth of approximately 42.5% in just three days. This surge places Ethereum as the 34th largest global asset, surpassing major corporations like Alibaba ($303.72 billion) and Coca-Cola ($303.53 billion).

Market Rebounds, but Under Pressure

The recent market recovery indicates a broader revival in the cryptocurrency sector, with signs that an altcoin bull market is beginning to take shape. However, Bitcoin's dominance may be eroded as market trends indicate a potential shift in capital and trading activity toward altcoins and memecoins.

Data also suggests that bearish sentiment toward Bitcoin and Ethereum persists, reflecting significant resistance on the path to a full-fledged bull market. For example, a high-profile trader who previously earned over $17.55 million on Hyperliquid recently returned with a bold $92 million 40x short position against BTC, signaling lingering skepticism among seasoned market participants.

This indicates that while the market is showing signs of recovery, the journey toward a sustained bull run remains uncertain. Investors seem increasingly inclined to explore opportunities in alternative cryptocurrencies, which could lead to a diversification of market activity and a redistribution of capital across the broader crypto landscape.