Bitcoin Holders and ownership distribution 2024
Numerous variables have affected the ownership and distribution of Bitcoin, including lost coins and concentrated holdings among large-scale speculators, or “whales,” which have caused the currency to change hands numerous times.
Because Bitcoin is software that is operated by a decentralized network, its regulations are not controlled by a single entity. In order for network users to transact, they must agree upon certain regulations.
With an estimated 1.1 million bitcoins, Satoshi Nakamoto is the owner of the most. In addition to inventing the concept, Satoshi was also the first miner to produce transaction blocks.
From January 3rd, 2009, onward, Satoshi is thought to have mined over 22,000 blocks and earned over one million bitcoin in cumulative block rewards for his efforts.
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Who has the most bitcoin?
The most bitcoin, estimated to be owned by Satoshi Nakamoto, is 1.1 million. Not only did Satoshi invent mining, but he was also the first to produce transaction blocks. Based on estimates, Satoshi mined over 22,000 blocks beginning on January 3rd, 2009, and was rewarded with over one million bitcoin in cumulative block rewards for his efforts.
Satoshi’s Bitcoin holdings
According to estimates, Satoshi possesses around 1.1 million bitcoins, which would be worth almost $78 billion in March 2024. This bitcoin is dispersed over about 22,000 addresses rather than being kept in a single address. With the exception of a few test transactions, none of it was ever used. After quitting the project in 2010, Satoshi hasn’t been in contact with anyone.
Bitcoin Holders [Infographic]
Types Of Bitcoin Hodlers
Humpbacks & Whales Bitcoin Holders
Whales, who can only handle between 1,000 and 5,000 bitcoins in a single wallet, have been overtaken in the cryptocurrency ecosystem by humpbacks, who can hold over 5,000 bitcoins in a single wallet.
These entities, which comprise wealthy individuals, early adopters of Bitcoin, and major institutions, have the power to greatly affect market pricing. Although this group has a propensity to hold onto their coins for extended periods of time, they have a significant impact on how prices are set and can create volatility.
Read also: What is cryptojacking, and how can one guard against it?
Dolphins & Sharks Bitcoin Holders
Dolphins are in charge of between 100 and 500 bitcoins, whereas sharks have between 500 and 1,000 bitcoins. Generally speaking, these are institutions that are not categorized as whales or humpbacks but are nevertheless thought to make up a very small percentage of the market. 20% of all Bitcoin is held jointly by sharks and dolphins.
Fish & Octopus Bitcoin Holders
Octopus accounts have between 10 and 50 bitcoins. A large chunk of the bitcoin supply is under the control of these investors. whereas Fish accounts have between 50 and 100 bitcoins. At the current May 2024 Bitcoin values, the entry-level price for an Octopus is approximately $630,000. 20% of Bitcoin is held jointly by fish and octopuses.
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Shrimp Bitcoin Holders
This portion of the market represents the majority of Bitcoin wallet addresses. The top 8.45% of addresses are still made up of those with between 1 and 0.1 BTC, and as a single address’s BTC value falls below 0.1, the percentage of addresses rises significantly. This shows that the majority of investors own addresses that contain less than 0.1 BTC.Crabs collectively possess 7% of all bitcoins.
Bitcoin Holders and ownership distribution [Infographic]
Companies Holding the Most Bitcoin
Businesses can purchase bitcoin using their treasury or corporate savings. Companies like Microstrategy, Tesla, and Galaxy Digital Holdings use this strategy because it helps shield their savings against negative-yield bonds and inflation.
Big businesses that are able to issue low-interest corporate bonds also have the option to take on cheap debt and utilize the money they borrow to buy bitcoin.
Read also: U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experienced a decline for the first time
It is theoretically possible that less bitcoin will be needed to pay off fiat debt when the value of the dollar declines due to inflation and bitcoin maintains its worth. This tactic is comparable to using leverage or making purchases on margin.
Private Companies Holding the Most Bitcoin
Approximately 494,721 BTC, or 2.3% of the total supply, are owned by private companies. The largest private bitcoin holder that hasn’t yet been delivered to creditors is Mt. Gox, the exchange that was previously compromised. 0.7% of the total supply, or 141,686 bitcoins, are held by it.
China-based Block.one is the second-biggest private bitcoin owner. According to reports, Block.one possesses 164,000 bitcoins, or 0.7% of the whole supply.
About 10,889 bitcoins are owned by the American private company Stone Ridge Holdings Group.
The business that created the USDT stablecoin, Tether Holdings LTD, is estimated to hold around 75,354 BTC, which is worth $4.9 billion USD.
Read also: Binance has helped law enforcement authorities apprehend the perpetrator in the ZKasino scam.
Governments Holding the Most Bitcoin
Governments across the world own an estimated 567,316 BTC, representing 2.70% of the total supply. The Chinese government reportedly holds 190,000 BTC that was recovered from the Plustoken scam in 2019. Members of the Ukrainian government privately hold roughly 46,351 BTC. El Salvador’s holdings are currently at 5,702 BTC.
Indirect Bitcoin Exposure
Indirect bitcoin exposure is one investment method for investors seeking to gain exposure to the bitcoin price without directly purchasing bitcoin. Some investors also believe they can reduce risk by investing in an extensive portfolio with many bitcoin-related assets. A bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) may contain equities and other bitcoin-related assets that result in a more diversified portfolio. Bitcoin ETFs track the price of bitcoin, albeit imperfectly. Some proposed ETFs are also based on bitcoin futures and other derivative products.
ETFs and other funds own a combined 982,523 BTC, 4.67% of the total bitcoin supply. The largest holder in this category is Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), which owns 291,239 BTC, or nearly 1.38% of the total supply.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust has approximately 273,824 BTC under management. In total, ETFs and public and private companies own almost 982,523 BTC, or more than 4.67% of the total supply.
Read also: Emart24 stores in South Korea will provide Bitcoin meal boxes.
Bitcoin Exchange platforms
- Trade Bitcoin
- Bybit’s trading platform is easy to navigate, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced traders
Bitcoin Billionaires
Not including Satoshi, three bitcoin addresses contain more than 100,000 bitcoin each. The three addresses with the most bitcoin belong to Binance, Bitfinex, and another address, whose identity is unknown.
These three addresses collectively own more than 564,902 bitcoin. The exchange addresses represent the holdings of many individual investors who are not holding their own keys.
