- Bitcoin has had a remarkable year in 2024, breaking the $100,000 barrier.
- Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, is thought to be the largest Bitcoin holder.
- The United States is the largest government Bitcoin holder.
As of Dec. 31, 2024, Bitcoin (BTC) had a market capitalization of $1.85 trillion, making it the largest cryptocurrency by that metric.
Interestingly, at the time of writing, the top 100 addresses on the network accounted for 15% of all Bitcoins, making it worth looking at the top Bitcoin holders and their worth.
Who Controls the Bitcoin Market: Unmasking the Biggest BTC Holders
Bitcoin (BTC) has a capped total supply of 21 million BTC. As of Dec. 31, 2024, about 19.8 million BTC were in circulation.
This scarcity makes it crucial for investors to know who holds large amounts of Bitcoin, as these major holders can significantly influence market dynamics.
The pseudonymous nature of cryptocurrencies lets people create wallets without providing any personal identification.
The only identifying information is the complex strings of letters and numbers, devoid of personal identifiers like names or birth dates, obscuring the identity of the wallet holders.
Despite blockchain technology’s transparency, which enables anyone to view wallet balances and transaction histories, it’s incredibly challenging to determine the actual owners of these wallets.
The dynamic nature of Bitcoin holdings further complicates the identification of top Bitcoin holders.
Companies, countries, and large investors frequently adjust their BTC positions in response to shifting market conditions, regulatory changes, and other external factors.
As a result, the roster of top Bitcoin holders is constantly in flux, reflecting the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency ownership.
Individuals With the Largest Bitcoin Holdings
Satoshi Nakamoto: ~1.1 million BTC
Satoshi Nakamoto is the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. Their history has been shrouded in mystery since the crypto industry’s inception. Although their account on the P2P Foundation suggests they turned 49 on April 29.
Nakamoto debuted Bitcoin in their white paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System” to a cryptography mailing group. The article, published on Oct. 31, 2008, described a decentralized peer-to-peer protocol that was secure in terms of cryptography.
Satoshi Nakamoto called Bitcoin a “purely peer-to-peer version of electronic cash” that “would allow online payments to be sent directly from one party to another without going through a financial institution or any intermediary.”
Reports indicate that Nakamoto is possibly the most significant individual Bitcoin holder and is purportedly the first miner of the currency, with over 1 million Bitcoins in their stash.
On-chain data suggests that Nakamoto mined approximately 54,316 blocks, earning 50 BTC for each block before the first halving event.
What’s particularly intriguing is that Nakamoto’s vast stash of Bitcoins remains unspent, lying dormant across roughly 22,000 wallet addresses. This inactive hoard represents a significant portion of the cryptocurrency’s supply.
If any of these coins were moved, it could dramatically fluctuate Bitcoin’s market value and profoundly impact the broader cryptocurrency landscape, sending ripples across the global financial ecosystem.
The Winklevoss twins: ~70,000 BTC
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, also known as the Winklevoss twins, co-founded the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange in 2014.
In recent developments, the twins contributed 30.94 Bitcoin (15.47 BTC each), worth $2 million, to former President Donald Trump’s campaign. However, part of the contribution was refunded as it exceeded the legal limit.
Tyler and Cameron invested their $65 million settlement from a lawsuit against Facebook into Bitcoin.
Their early and significant investment in Bitcoin helped catapult them to prominence in the blockchain and crypto sectors. In 2015, they further solidified their status as industry pioneers by co-founding Gemini.
Today, the Winklevoss Twins are estimated to hold approximately 70,000 BTC.
Tim Draper: ~29,656 BTC
American venture capitalist Timothy Cook Draper is known as a huge Bitcoin proponent. His most well-known investments are in FinTech firms like Twitter, DocuSign, Coinbase, Robinhood, Tesla, Hotmail and Skype.
In 2014, he paid $18.7 million, or approximately $632 per coin, to purchase 29,656 BTC that U.S. Marshals had seized from the shuttered Silk Road black market. Draper supports decentralization and is against government control.
Michael Saylor: ~17,732 BTC
Michael Saylor is the founder of MicroStrategy, a business analytics software company. He served as CEO until early August 2022, when he transitioned to the role of chairman.
Saylor, one of the most renowned executives of the internet bubble era, became a multibillionaire in the late 1990s thanks to his ownership of MicroStrategy.
However, the SEC filed accounting allegations against his company, resulting in an $11 million fine and plummeting stock value, leaving a nearly $6 billion hole in his net worth.
Today, Saylor has rebuilt his fortune through his investments in Bitcoin, filling the gap left by previous setbacks.
Saylor is a huge Bitcoin advocate. He called it “a bank in cyberspace, run by incorruptible software, offering a global, affordable, simple, and secure savings account to billions of people who don’t have the option or desire to run their own hedge fund.”
As chairman of MicroStrategy, Salyor has bought up billions of dollars worth of tokens, sometimes using leverage. At the time of writing, his net worth hovered at $4.8 billion.
Most of Saylor’s wealth comes from his Class B holdings of MicroStrategy and the 17,732 Bitcoins he bought in 2020, valued at $1.6 billion.
Changpeng Zhao
Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, is the wealthiest figure in the crypto world, buoyed by his vast holdings and ownership in Binance, the largest crypto exchange in the world.
His fortune is underpinned by a reported stash of 94 million BNB tokens, a commanding 90% equity stake in Binance, and undisclosed Bitcoin holdings.
While the exact number of Bitcoins CZ owns remains uncertain, in 2014, CZ was reported to have sold his apartment in China to purchase $1 million worth of BTC.
This investment amounted to approximately 1,300 Bitcoins at the time. Today, the value of these Bitcoins stands at $124 million.
According to Forbes, CZ is currently worth $65 billion. Over 90% of his wealth comes from crypto investments.
Publicly Traded Companies With the Largest Bitcoin Holdings
MicroStrategy (MSTR): 446,400 BTC
In August 2020, MicroStrategy purchased its first batch of Bitcoin, citing concerns that the epidemic, global financial stimulus programs, and political unpredictability would cause the dollar to depreciate. In a statement , CEO Michael Saylor said:
“This investment reflects our belief that Bitcoin, as the world’s most popular cryptocurrency, is a dependable store of value and an attractive investment asset with more long-term appreciation potential than holding cash.”
Today, the company is the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, owning 446,400 BTC as of Dec. 31, 2024. The company has disclosed that the average purchase price of these Bitcoins was $62,226.
Headquartered in Virginia, MicroStrategy has significantly expanded its holdings, now owning around ten times more than the next largest corporate Bitcoin owner. This investment has paid off, as MSTR shares surged over 420% in 2024.
MARA: 40,435 BTC
MARA (formerly Marathon Digital Holdings), based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been a prominent player in the Bitcoin mining industry since its inception in 2010.
The company is one of the leading Bitcoin miners globally, with a current installed hash rate of 50 EH/S. The hash rate measures the computational power used to mine and process transactions in Bitcoin.
Following in MicroStrategy’s footsteps, the company has begun to use debt financing to buy additional Bitcoin, complementing its mining activities.
As of Dec. 31, 2024, MARA reported holding 40,435 BTC.
Riot Platform: 16,728 BTC
Bitcoin mining powerhouse Riot Platforms made strategic adjustments to its approach earlier this year, complementing its core mining operations with a notable financial pivot.
The Texas-based firm, drawing parallels to MicroStrategy, has turned to leveraging debt as a means to expand its Bitcoin holdings.
As of Dec. 31, Riot reported holding an impressive 16,728 Bitcoins, underscoring its commitment to strengthening its crypto reserves.
Hut 8 Mining Corp: 10,096 BTC
Hut 8 Mining Corp (HUT) is a Canadian infrastructure firm that mines digital assets. As of Dec. 31, Hut 8 held a significant position in the industry, ranking third among listed miners with 10,096 Bitcoins in reserve.
This considerable reserve of Bitcoin provides Hut 8 with a substantial liquidity cushion and positions it to benefit from potential price increases in the cryptocurrency market.
Its cryptocurrency holdings are approximately $988 million, representing about 43% of its market capitalization.
Tesla: 9,720 BTC
Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla holds the fifth-largest Bitcoin reserve among companies, valued at $951 million.
In 2021, the company bought $1.5 billion worth of Bitcoin. This investment was intended not only to enhance Tesla’s bottom line but also to increase liquidity and provide customers with the option to purchase crypto products.
However, the following year presented challenges as Tesla sold a significant portion of its Bitcoin holdings, incurring a steep loss.
This sale was part of a broader trend where businesses reassessed their cryptocurrency holdings amid fluctuating market conditions.
As revealed in its third-quarter balance sheet for 2024, Tesla maintained its Bitcoin holdings.
Private Companies With the Largest Bitcoin Holdings
Block.one: 140,000 BTC
Block.one, the private blockchain firm co-founded by Brendan Blumer and Daniel Larimer, is renowned for developing the EOS.IO protocol.
With over $4 billion invested across more than 140 blockchain ventures, Block.one has built a strong portfolio of successful companies.
According to Bitcoin Treasuries , Block.one holds 140,000 Bitcoins, making it the largest private Bitcoin holder, with a stash valued at $13.7 billion.
Tether International Limited: 82,454 BTC
Tether International Limited, the entity behind the USDT stablecoin, has actively incorporated Bitcoin into its reserve strategy. According to its public announcements, as of Nov. 11, the company holds approximately 82,454 Bitcoins.
Tether announced its decision to hold Bitcoin as a reserve currency. This move represented a significant shift in its reserve management strategy.
Tether followed this up by buying an additional 1,529 BTC for $45.4 million in the second quarter of 2023.
The company has also publicly committed to regularly allocating up to 15% of its net realized operating profits towards purchasing Bitcoin.
ETFs With The Largest Bitcoin Holdings
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust: 552,168 BTC
It’s been a year since spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) debuted in the U.S., and some of the most popular funds have already attracted billions in investments.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has emerged as one of the best performers in U.S. ETF history, pulling in billions of dollars in inflows and consistently maintaining its lead in the market.
As of Dec. 31, IBIT holds 552,168 BTC and leads the market with approximately $53.9 billion in net assets.
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust: 206,835 BTC
While Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) remains one of the largest Bitcoin ETFs in the market, it has not had the best performance this year.
The fund has faced consistent challenges in maintaining inflows, with daily outflows becoming a frequent occurrence.
In 2024, GBTC posted a cumulative net outflow of $21.8 billion , highlighting its ongoing struggles to attract new investments.
Despite these challenges, it continues to hold a significant position in the market, cementing its place among the top Bitcoin ETFs.
Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund: 201,163 BTC
Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) has had a standout year, experiencing consistent inflows and bolstering its Bitcoin holdings.
Much like BlackRock, Fidelity has been able to attract significant investor interest, making it a key player in the market.
Currently, the fund holds 201,163 Bitcoins, making it the third-largest Bitcoin holder among ETFs.
This impressive accumulation has helped Fidelity’s FBTC become an attractive option for Bitcoin investors.
United States: 207,189 BTC
According to data from Bitcoin Treasuries, the United States has built a significant Bitcoin reserve, holding approximately 207,189 BTC valued at $20.2 billion.
The majority of this accumulation stems from law enforcement seizures, particularly since 2020.
Given the evolving stance on cryptocurrency and the anticipated policies of the incoming Donald Trump administration, there is growing speculation that the U.S. may increase its Bitcoin holdings or incorporate it into its strategic reserve.
In fact, several senators have proposed a plan for the U.S. to acquire 1 million Bitcoins to solidify its dominance in the digital asset space.
China: 194,000 BTC
China currently holds approximately 194,000 BTC, a substantial amount acquired through the seizure of funds from the PlusToken Ponzi scheme. The Bitcoins are valued at around $19 billion.
Although China has imposed a ban on Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency industry, experts suggest that the U.S.’s evolving stance on crypto could encourage China to reconsider its position and potentially lift the ban.
United Kingdom: 61,000 BTC
According to a recent report by Chainalysis, the United Kingdom is the third largest nation-state holder of Bitcoin.
The U.K. now holds around 61,000 BTC , worth about $6 billion at current prices.
Assets, valued at approximately $4 billion, were confiscated from individuals Jian Wen and Zhimin Qian .
Ukraine: 46,351 BTC
The Ukrainian government currently holds 46,351 BTC. This includes a significant seizure of $1.5 million worth of crypto assets from Yury Shchigol, a former government official.
Bhutan: 13,029 BTC
Bhutan has quietly emerged as a top contender in Bitcoin holdings this year, amassing 13,029 BTC valued at $1.2 billion. This makes the small Himalayan nation the fifth-largest nation-state holder of Bitcoin.
Remarkably, these holdings account for approximately 44% of Bhutan’s estimated 2023 GDP of $2.686 billion.
The country’s Bitcoin stash comes from its own mining operations, which have seen significant growth since 2019, positioning Bhutan as a major player in the global crypto landscape.
El Salvador: 6,003 BTC
El Salvador holds 6,003 BTC in its treasury.
The country began acquiring BTC in September 2021.
Since November 2022, El Salvador has followed through on its plan to buy one BTC per day, even during the bear market.
By Dec. 30, El Salvador hit a new milestone, reaching 6,000 BTC, valued at approximately $560 million.
President Nayib Bukele noted that a government initiative offering accelerated citizenship to immigrants who contribute a BTC “donation” to the national treasury significantly contributed to the country’s Bitcoin accumulation.
With additional reporting from Insha Zia, Prashant Jha, Giuseppe Ciccomascolo, and Teuta Franjkovic
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