Власність біткоїна: скільки людей у світі насправді володіють біткоїном?
The total supply of Bitcoin is permanently capped at 21 million coins. According to research published in 2025, there are approximately 420 million cryptocurrency users worldwide, but only about 1.5 million of them own at least one whole Bitcoin. This represents just 0.36% of the global crypto user base. If you expand the scope to the world’s total population, the proportion becomes even more negligible—falling between just 0.01% and 0.02%.
Overview of Global Bitcoin Ownership
Cryptocurrency adoption is advancing rapidly around the world. As of March 2025, more than 824 million people globally hold some form of digital asset. As the leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin boasts an estimated 422 million to 455 million holders, accounting for about 5% of the world’s population. These figures illustrate the growing popularity of crypto, especially as institutional interest rises and more accessible investment options like Bitcoin ETFs become available. Contrary to traditional assumptions, the demographics of Bitcoin ownership are shifting. While young men have historically dominated the space, more women are now participating. Research indicates that around 13% of women aged 26 to 45 report owning Bitcoin.
Bitcoin ownership remains highly concentrated. According to data from Gate Plaza, about 1.86% of addresses control over 90% of all Bitcoin. The top 100 richest addresses collectively hold more than 58% of the total circulating supply.
Bitcoin Holder Segmentation
Within the Bitcoin ecosystem, holders fall into several primary categories, each playing a distinct role.
Individual holders form the backbone of Bitcoin ownership. A report by Bitwise Asset Management states that individuals control 69.4% of the total Bitcoin supply. Another study supports this, showing that 68.2% of Bitcoin is held by private retail investors.
Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin’s anonymous creator, remains the single largest holder, with approximately 1.1 million Bitcoins distributed across 22,000 addresses.
Institutions and governments hold a relatively small share of Bitcoin. Combined, corporations and governments own just 5.8% of the total supply. The U.S. government is the largest government holder, with 198,022 Bitcoins.
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and trusts have become significant Bitcoin holders. BlackRock is the largest institutional asset manager holding Bitcoin, with 735,840 coins. Grayscale Bitcoin Trust holds 232,178 Bitcoins.
Table: Bitcoin Holder Categories and Typical Representatives
| Holder Category | % of Total Bitcoin | Typical Representative | Example Holdings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Holders | ~69.4% | Satoshi Nakamoto | ~1.1 million |
| Institutional Investors | ~11.5% | BlackRock | 735,840 |
| Public Companies | Included in corporate holdings | MicroStrategy | 629,376 |
| Government Holdings | ~1.5% | U.S. Government | 198,022 |
| Lost Bitcoins | ~7.6% | Inaccessible | ~1.5 million |
Why Are Whole Bitcoin Holders So Rare?
To understand why so few people can own a whole Bitcoin, you need to look at Bitcoin’s fundamental design and market dynamics.
Bitcoin’s fixed supply fundamentally limits its availability. The total supply is permanently capped at 21 million coins. As of September 2025, about 19.59 million Bitcoins have been mined, representing 93.32% of the total. Analysts estimate that around 6 million Bitcoins have been 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 barrier is another major obstacle. With the Bitcoin price reaching around $110,000 in 2025, owning a whole Bitcoin requires significant financial resources. It’s estimated that only about 145,100 people worldwide hold Bitcoin assets worth over $1 million.
Long-term holder behavior also impacts Bitcoin’s circulation. Data from 2025 shows that long-term holders now control 74% of the circulating Bitcoin supply. This "hoarding" behavior further reduces the amount of Bitcoin available on the market.
Gate Market Data Analysis
As of January 7, 2026, Gate market data shows Bitcoin trading at approximately $92,700. This price level further raises the bar for owning a whole Bitcoin. Price volatility has always been a hallmark of the market. Historical data shows that Bitcoin reached a peak of about $124,000 in August 2025, with a market cap high of $2.47 trillion.
Wealth concentration in Bitcoin becomes especially pronounced at higher price levels. The number of people holding more than $1 million in Bitcoin grew by 70% year-over-year in 2025, reaching 145,100. This indicates that during price rallies, early adopters and large holders see the most significant wealth gains. There’s a clear dynamic between Bitcoin’s scarcity and its price. As Bitcoin approaches its maximum supply limit, mining rewards will shift entirely to transaction fees, which could further impact Bitcoin’s distribution landscape.
How Can You Join the Ranks of Bitcoin Holders?
For investors looking to join the Bitcoin network, there are several ways to participate.
Buying a whole Bitcoin outright is the most direct approach, but also the most challenging. Given current prices, this requires a substantial financial commitment. Only about 1.5 million people worldwide have chosen this route.
Purchasing a fraction of a Bitcoin through exchanges is a far more common practice. Investors can buy any amount of Bitcoin without worrying about the high threshold for a whole coin. Platforms like Gate provide convenient buying and trading services.
Investing in Bitcoin-related products is another option. Bitcoin ETFs offer a regulated way for investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without the need to directly hold or manage digital assets.
Participating in Bitcoin mining, while technically demanding, remains a way to acquire Bitcoin. However, as mining difficulty increases and rewards are halved, the profitability of individual mining has diminished considerably.
No matter which path you choose, entering the world of Bitcoin requires a solid understanding of the market and careful risk management. Bitcoin’s price volatility means investors need to have an appropriate risk tolerance.
Long-term holders in the Bitcoin network control 74% of the circulating supply, while only 0.36% of global crypto users can claim to own at least one whole Bitcoin. With a single Bitcoin priced above $110,000 and the top 100 richest addresses controlling over 58% of the total circulating supply, the world of Bitcoin is both open and highly stratified. In the coming years, as Bitcoin ETFs become more widespread and institutional investors continue to enter the market, the distribution of Bitcoin ownership may undergo significant changes.
