Money and Crypto: How Much Actually Exists in 2025

When people claim “Bitcoin will replace the dollar,” they rarely consider how much money actually exists. Economists measure money in layers (M0–M4), most of it digital rather than cash. The dollar remains the world’s reference currency: it dominates reserves, global trade, and even crypto markets. By mid-2025, Bitcoin’s market cap is about $2.1T, while the top 10 cryptos together reach $3.3T — just ~2% of global broad money (M3 ~$140–150T). Small in share, but huge in impact: crypto introduces a new, decentralized model of money that works 24/7 without banks or central control. It doesn’t need to replace the dollar to matter. Even at 1–2%, crypto already changes the rules of the game.