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Who Owns the Most Bitcoin?

Who Owns the Most Bitcoin?

Individuals and corporations make up the list of who owns the most Bitcoin. See who they currently are.

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Who Owns The Most Bitcoin

Key Takeaways

  • Bitcoin ownership is diverse, with Bitcoin whales holding significant amounts.
  • Bitcoin founder Satoshi Nakamoto is believed to possess around 1 million BTC, making Nakamoto the biggest BTC whale out there.
  • Corporations like MicroStrategy, Marathon Digital Holdings, Galaxy Digital Holdings, Coinbase Global Inc., and Tesla Inc., all have integrated significant Bitcoin holdings into their financial strategies, signaling a certain level of institutional acceptance.

Who Owns the Most Bitcoin?

Often referred to as ‘Bitcoin whales’, the top owners of Bitcoin include individuals and corporations, as well as wallet addresses with anonymous owners.

What Is a Bitcoin Whale?

A Bitcoin whale refers to an individual, corporation, or entity that holds a significant amount of Bitcoin in a single wallet or a cluster of wallets. 

These substantial holdings give them the ability to influence the market and potentially manipulate the value of the cryptocurrency — like a whale in the ocean, any of their movements will make waves.

Individuals Who Own the Most Bitcoin

Identifying the largest crypto whales is difficult due to the anonymous nature of cryptocurrency transactions. However, there are a few well-known figures in the crypto space who have made their holdings public.

Satoshi Nakamoto: The anonymous creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto is believed to hold around 1 million BTC in multiple wallets. Given that the total supply of BTC is capped at 21 million, this gives Nakamoto considerable clout.

The Winklevoss Twins: The Winklevoss twins of Facebook fame (accusing Mark Zuckerberg of appropriating their social network idea) are prominent Bitcoin whales. Following the 2012 settlement, they bought Bitcoin — reported to have accounted for approximately 1% of the total Bitcoin supply at that time. Their Bitcoin holdings are believed to add up to around 70,000.

Michael Saylor: American entrepreneur and one of the largest Bitcoin whales, Michael Saylor owns more than 17,000 bitcoins. His company, MicroStrategy, also holds a substantial Bitcoin reserve of almost 160,000.

Changpeng Zhao: The CEO of Binance, Changpeng ’CZ’ Zhao is considered a sizable Bitcoin whale, although specific details about his holdings are not publicly disclosed. 

Tim Draper: Venture capitalist Tim Draper purchased 30,000 bitcoins during the Silk Road auction. While his total holdings are unknown, it is believed that he has continued purchasing BTC since then.

Corporations That Own the Most Bitcoin

Besides individuals, several corporations, many from the traditional finance (TradFi) realm, have accumulated substantial Bitcoin holdings. According to the latest data published by CoinGecko, 25 companies are listed to hold a total of over US$6 billion worth of bitcoins, which makes up about 1.2% of all BTC in circulation.

Notable institutional holders of Bitcoin include:

  • MicroStrategy Inc. holds almost 160,000 BTC tokens following its most recent purchase in late September 2023.
  • Marathon Digital Holdings holds 13,286 BTC coins.
  • Galaxy Digital Holdings holds 12,545 BTC coins.
  • Tesla Inc. holds 10,500 BTC coins.

Wallet Addresses That Hold the Most Bitcoin

Originally published on Techopedia (article dated Sept. 2023), the below list includes the 10 wallet addresses with the largest Bitcoin holdings. Each of these wallets holds over US$1 billion worth of bitcoins (at the time of writing).

  1. Address: ​​34xp4vRoCGJym3xR7yCVPFHoCNxv4Twseo
    Holdings: 248,597 BTC

    A wallet address linked to Binance holding about US$6 billion worth of BTC (as of September 2023), which amounts to about 1.28% of the circulating supply.
  1. Address: bc1qgdjqv0av3q56jvd82tkdjpy7gdp9ut8tlqmgrpmv24sq90ecnvqqjwvw97
    Holdings: 178,010 BTC

  2. Address: bc1ql49ydapnjafl5t2cp9zqpjwe6pdgmxy98859v2
    Holdings: 118,300 BTC

    An anonymous wallet holding US$3 billion worth of BTC tokens (0.6% of the circulating supply).

  3. Address: 39884E3j6KZj82FK4vcCrkUvWYL5MQaS3v
    Holdings: 115,177 BTC

  4. Address: bc1qazcm763858nkj2dj986etajv6wquslv8uxwczt
    Holdings: 94,643 BTC

  5. Address: 37XuVSEpWW4trkfmvWzegTHQt7BdktSKUs
    Holdings: 94,505 BTC

  6. Address: 1FeexV6bAHb8ybZjqQMjJrcCrHGW9sb6uF
    Holdings: 79,957 BTC

  7. Address: bc1qa5wkgaew2dkv56kfvj49j0av5nml45x9ek9hz6
    Holdings: 69,370 BTC

  8. Address: 3LYJfcfHPXYJreMsASk2jkn69LWEYKzexb
    Holdings: 68,200 BTC

  9. Address: bc1qd4ysezhmypwty5dnw7c8nqy5h5nxg0xqsvaefd0qn5kq32vwnwqqgv4rzr
    Holdings: 59,300 BTC

Conclusion

The landscape of Bitcoin ownership is complex, comprising an array of individuals, corporations, and anonymous wallet addresses that hold large amounts of Bitcoin — often referred to as ‘Bitcoin whales’. While the decentralised nature of Bitcoin transactions makes it challenging to ascertain the true extent of these holdings, we have provided a glimpse into the world of the largest Bitcoin stakeholders in each category.

Due Diligence and Do Your Own Research

All examples listed in this article are for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, cybersecurity, or other advice. Nothing contained herein shall constitute a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by Crypto.com to invest, buy, or sell any coins, tokens, or other crypto assets. Returns on the buying and selling of crypto assets may be subject to tax, including capital gains tax, in your jurisdiction. Any descriptions of Crypto.com products or features are merely for illustrative purposes and do not constitute an endorsement, invitation, or solicitation.

Past performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future performance. The value of crypto assets can increase or decrease, and you could lose all or a substantial amount of your purchase price. When assessing a crypto asset, it’s essential for you to do your research and due diligence to make the best possible judgement, as any purchases shall be your sole responsibility.

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Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that operates on distributed ledger technology called a blockchain and uses cryptography for security. It is decentralized and operates independently of a central bank.
Unlike traditional currencies, cryptocurrencies are not backed by a physical commodity or government, and their value is determined by market demand and supply. Cryptocurrencies can be used to buy goods and services, transfer funds, and trade in markets. Popular cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and Cronos.
Many cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, are created through a process called mining, which involves solving complex mathematical equations to validate and record transactions on a blockchain. This mechanism is also called Proof of Work (PoW). Another consensus mechanism that has increased in popularity — as it is more energy efficient — is Proof of Stake (PoS). Instead of mining, PoS relies on network participants validating transactions. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, uses this consensus mechanism.
Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency that operates on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. It was created in 2009 by an unknown person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, and it has gained significant popularity and value since its creation.
Unlike traditional fiat currency, which is controlled by central banks and governments, Bitcoin operates independently of any central authority. Transactions are verified and recorded on the blockchain, which is a distributed ledger that maintains a permanent and transparent record of all transactions.
Bitcoin can be bought, sold, and exchanged on various cryptocurrency exchanges, and it can be used to purchase goods and services from merchants that accept Bitcoin as a form of payment. The supply of bitcoins is limited to 21 million units, and new bitcoins are created through mining, which involves using specialized computer hardware to solve complex mathematical equations.
Bitcoin is known for its high volatility, and its value can fluctuate rapidly in response to market conditions, news events, and other factors. Many traders, including institutional investors, see Bitcoin as a store of value and a way to participate in the growing cryptocurrency ecosystem.
There are several ways to buy cryptocurrencies, including:
  1. Brokerage services: Crypto brokers allow users to simply buy and sell cryptocurrencies. A popular example is the Crypto.com App, trusted by over 80 million users. It is available at the Apple Store and on Google Play.
  2. Cryptocurrency exchanges: These are online platforms where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies using fiat currency or other cryptocurrencies. They offer more complex functions compared to a crypto brokerage, adding trading instruments like crypto derivatives. The Crypto.com Exchange is an example of a popular crypto exchange.
  3. Peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplaces: These are platforms where buyers and sellers can directly trade cryptocurrencies without the involvement of a third-party exchange. This is also known as DeFi, short for decentralized finance. Multiple P2P crypto marketplaces can be accessed all in one app via the Crypto.com DeFi Wallet.
It is important to perform proper research and choose a reputable platform to buy cryptocurrencies. For instance, Crypto.com holds the highest security rating in the industry. In addition, it is advisable to store cryptocurrencies securely in a wallet like the Crypto.com App or Crypto.com DeFi Wallet.
To buy crypto, follow these general steps:
  1. Choose a crypto platform to use, like the Crypto.com Exchange or Crypto.com App.
  2. Create an account on the chosen platform by providing personal information and ID verification, also known as ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) procedures.
  3. Deposit fiat currency or another cryptocurrency into the newly created account. The Crypto.com App supports bank transfers, credit cards, debit cards, and cryptocurrency transfers to buy crypto, depending on region.
  4. Navigate to the ‘Buy’ section of the Crypto.com Exchange or App and select the crypto to buy.
  5. Enter the amount of cryptocurrency to buy and confirm the transaction.
  6. The crypto will be deposited into the account. From here, it can be transferred to other crypto wallets or converted back to fiat currency and paid out to a bank account.
It is important to perform proper research and choose a reputable platform to buy cryptocurrencies. For instance, Crypto.com holds the highest security rating in the industry. In addition, it is advisable to store cryptocurrencies securely in a wallet like the Crypto.com App or Crypto.com DeFi Wallet.
Users can buy Bitcoin from a cryptocurrency exchange, a crypto brokerage service like the Crypto.com App, or a peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplace like those found in the Crypto.com DeFi Wallet. Here are some general steps to buying bitcoin from an exchange or brokerage service:
  1. Choose a reputable cryptocurrency platform that supports Bitcoin trading. Popular options include the Crypto.com App and the Crypto.com Exchange.
  2. Create an account on the chosen platform and complete the KYC verification process, which may require providing personal identification documents.
  3. Fund an account using a bank transfer, credit/debit card, or other cryptocurrency, depending on region.
  4. Navigate to the ‘Buy’ section of the platform and select Bitcoin as the cryptocurrency to buy.
  5. Enter the amount of bitcoin to buy, or the amount of fiat or cryptocurrency to spend.
  6. Review the transaction details and confirm the purchase.
  7. Once the transaction is complete, the bitcoin will be deposited into the chosen account. From here, the funds can be transferred to other crypto wallets or converted back to fiat currency and paid out to a bank account.
It is important to perform proper research and choose a reputable platform to buy cryptocurrencies. For instance, Crypto.com holds the highest security rating in the industry. In addition, it is advisable to store cryptocurrencies securely in a wallet like the Crypto.com App or Crypto.com DeFi Wallet.
To trade cryptocurrency, follow these general steps:
  1. Choose a cryptocurrency exchange that supports trading. A popular option is the Crypto.com Exchange.
  2. Create an account on the chosen platform and perform ID verification, known as KYC (‘Know Your Customer’).
  3. Deposit funds into the newly created account using a supported payment method. The Crypto.com Exchange supports bank transfers and credit/debit cards.
  4. Navigate to the trading section of the platform and select the cryptocurrency pair to trade.
  5. Choose whether to buy or sell the cryptocurrency, and enter the amount to trade.
  6. Set the preferred price and order type. There are several types of orders, including market orders, limit orders, stop orders, and crypto options, which allow users to buy or sell at a specific price or under certain conditions.
  7. Submit the trade order and wait for it to be executed. Depending on market conditions, the trade may be filled immediately, or it may take time to be filled.
  8. Monitor trades and adjust strategies as necessary.
Here is an introduction to trading on the Crypto.com Exchange.
It is crucial to note that trading cryptocurrency carries risk, and it is important to trade only what you can afford to lose.
There are several ways to earn cryptocurrency, including:
  1. Mining: Cryptocurrency mining involves using specialized computer hardware to solve complex mathematical equations that validate transactions on a blockchain network. Successful miners are rewarded with newly minted cryptocurrency for their efforts.
  2. Staking/Lockups: Staking and lockups involve holding or locking up a certain amount of cryptocurrency in a wallet or on a platform to support the operations of the blockchain network. Stakers are rewarded with new cryptocurrency as a form of interest for their support.
  3. Trading: Trading cryptocurrency involves buying and selling cryptocurrencies on exchanges or other trading platforms. Those who have a good understanding of market trends and are able to make informed trading decisions can earn profits through trading.
  4. Airdrops: Airdrops are free distributions of cryptocurrency to users who meet certain criteria or participate in promotional activities.
  5. Crypto Projects: Some blockchain projects offer rewards or bounties for users who contribute to their development or community. This can include activities like bug bounties, testing, or content creation.
It's important to note that each method of earning cryptocurrency carries its own risks and rewards. It is recommended to carefully research cryptocurrencies and understand the process before buying. Learn more about the crypto market at Crypto.com University.

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