Bitcoin Owners Revealed: How Many People Worldwide Truly Own Bitcoin?

The total supply of Bitcoin is permanently capped at 21 million coins. According to research data released in 2025, there are approximately 420 million cryptocurrency users worldwide, but only about 1.5 million hold at least one full Bitcoin. This accounts for just 0.36% of the total global cryptocurrency user base. When expanding the scope to the total world population, this ratio is even more negligible, ranging between 0.01% and 0.02%.

Global Bitcoin Ownership Overview

The adoption of cryptocurrencies worldwide is accelerating rapidly. As of March 2025, over 824 million people globally own some form of digital assets. As the leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin’s number of holders is estimated to be between 422 million and 455 million, roughly 5% of the global population. These figures depict a growing trend of cryptocurrency adoption, especially with increasing institutional interest and the emergence of more accessible investment options like Bitcoin ETFs. Contrary to traditional perceptions, the demographic structure of Bitcoin ownership is changing. Although historically dominated by young males, more women are now entering this space. Studies show that about 13% of women aged 26 to 45 report owning Bitcoin.

Bitcoin distribution is highly uneven. According to data from Gate.io, approximately 1.86% of addresses control over 90% of all Bitcoin. The top 100 richest addresses hold over 58% of the circulating supply.

Bitcoin Holder Classification Map

Participants in the Bitcoin ecosystem can be divided into several main categories, each playing different roles.

Individual holders form the foundation of Bitcoin ownership. A report by Bitwise Asset Management indicates that individual holders control 69.4% of the total Bitcoin supply. Another study supports this finding, showing that 68.2% of Bitcoin is held by private retail investors.

Satoshi Nakamoto, the anonymous creator of Bitcoin, remains the largest holder, with about 1.1 million Bitcoins. These Bitcoins are distributed across 22,000 addresses.

The proportion of Bitcoin held by institutions and governments is relatively small. Corporations and governments together hold only 5.8% of Bitcoin. The U.S. government is the largest government holder, possessing 198,022 Bitcoins.

Exchange-traded funds and trusts have become significant Bitcoin holders. BlackRock is the largest institutional asset manager holding Bitcoin, with 735,840 Bitcoins. Grayscale Bitcoin Trust holds 232,178 Bitcoins.

Table: Bitcoin Holder Categories and Typical Representatives

Why Are Complete Bitcoin Holders So Rare?

Understanding why only a very small number of people can own a full Bitcoin requires examining Bitcoin’s fundamental design and market dynamics.

Bitcoin’s fixed supply fundamentally limits its availability. The total amount is permanently capped at 21 million coins, and as of September 2025, approximately 19.59 million have been mined, accounting for 93.32% of the total. Analysts estimate that about 6 million Bitcoins are permanently lost due to lost private keys or damaged hardware wallets. This reduces the effective circulating supply to roughly 13.59 million Bitcoins.

The price threshold of Bitcoin also presents a barrier. With Bitcoin reaching around $110,000 in 2025, owning a full Bitcoin requires significant financial capacity. It is estimated that only about 145,100 people worldwide hold Bitcoin assets worth over $1 million.

The behavior of long-term holders also impacts Bitcoin’s circulation. Data from 2025 shows that long-term holders now control 74% of the circulating supply. This “HODLing” behavior further reduces the available Bitcoin in the market.

Gate Market Data Analysis

As of January 7, 2026, according to Gate.io market data, Bitcoin’s price is approximately $92,700. This price level further raises the threshold for owning a full Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s volatility has always been a key market feature. Historical data shows that in August 2025, Bitcoin reached a high of about $124,000, with a market cap peak of $2.47 trillion.

Bitcoin’s wealth concentration becomes especially evident at high price levels. The number of people holding over $1 million worth of Bitcoin increased by 70% year-over-year in 2025, reaching 145,100. This indicates that during price surges, early adopters and large holders see significant wealth growth. There is a clear dynamic relationship between Bitcoin’s scarcity and its price. As Bitcoin approaches its maximum supply limit, mining rewards will fully shift to transaction fees, which could further influence the distribution pattern of Bitcoin.

How to Join the Ranks of Bitcoin Holders?

For investors wishing to join the Bitcoin network, there are several ways to participate.

Buying a full Bitcoin directly is the most straightforward method but also the highest threshold. Given the current price, this requires a substantial financial investment. Only about 1.5 million people worldwide have chosen this route.

Purchasing fractional Bitcoin through exchanges is more common. Investors can buy any amount of Bitcoin without worrying about the high threshold of a full coin. Platforms like Gate.io provide convenient buying and trading services.

Investing in Bitcoin-related products is another option. Bitcoin ETFs offer investors a regulated way to invest in Bitcoin without directly holding or managing digital assets.

Participating in Bitcoin mining, although technically demanding, is also a way to acquire Bitcoin. However, with increasing mining difficulty and halving rewards, individual mining profitability has significantly decreased.

Regardless of the method chosen, entering the Bitcoin world requires thorough market understanding and risk management. The volatility of Bitcoin’s price means investors need to have appropriate risk tolerance.

Long-term holders in the Bitcoin network control 74% of the circulating supply, while only 0.36% of global cryptocurrency users can claim to own at least one full Bitcoin. When the price of one Bitcoin exceeds $110,000, and the top 100 richest addresses control over 58% of the total circulating supply, the Bitcoin world is both open and highly stratified. In the coming years, with the proliferation of Bitcoin ETFs and ongoing institutional investment, the distribution pattern of Bitcoin ownership may undergo new changes.