In the ever - evolving world of cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin remains the kingpin, and questions about its ownership are constantly on the minds of investors and enthusiasts alike. Reddit, a popular social media platform, has been a hotbed of discussions regarding Bitcoin ownership. So, who really owns 90% of Bitcoin in 2025?
Contrary to a common misconception, Bitcoin ownership is not concentrated in the hands of a few. Data from various sources, including Glassnode, Arkham Intelligence, Bitinfocharts, and Bitcoin Treasuries, shows that Bitcoin supply is widely distributed among a diverse range of individuals, groups, and organizations around the globe. About 74% of Bitcoin owners hold less than 0.01 bitcoins, which indicates a relatively broad - based ownership at the retail level.
However, when it comes to larger holdings, institutional and corporate players have a significant presence. Let's take a look at some of the major Bitcoin holders in 2025.
Many well - known companies have recognized the long - term appreciation potential of Bitcoin and its value as an inflation - hedging tool. In its initial public offering (IPO) documents, Reddit (RDDT.US) revealed that it had invested some of its excess cash in Bitcoin and Ethereum. This move by Reddit shows the growing acceptance of Bitcoin in the corporate world.
Another prominent corporate holder is Tesla (TSLA.US). In the fourth quarter of 2024, due to a change in accounting standards, the book value of Tesla's Bitcoin holdings skyrocketed from $184 million to $1.08 billion. This increase not only reflects the appreciation of Bitcoin but also the strategic decision of Tesla to hold this digital asset.
Other companies in the list of Bitcoin holders include Coinbase Global (COIN.US), a leading cryptocurrency exchange. Coinbase stores a substantial amount of Bitcoin in its cold wallets, which serves as a symbol of the company's strength and a guarantee for user asset security. Payment giant Block (XYZ.US), along with several other crypto - related companies such as Galaxy Digital, Hut 8 Mining (HUT.US), Cleanspark (CLSK.US), Mara Holdings (MARA.US), Riot Platforms (RIOT.US), Cathedra Bitcoin, DeFi Technologies, HIVE Blockchain Technologies (HIVE.US), and Japan's Metaplanet, also hold significant amounts of Bitcoin.
Among institutional holders, Cascade Investment, an investment firm under the wing of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, has an early and significant position in the Bitcoin market. Their early entry into the Bitcoin space showcases the forward - thinking approach of this tech - related investment institution and its confidence in the future of digital currencies.
MicroStrategy, a business intelligence software provider listed on the Nasdaq, is another major player. Its CEO, Michael Saylor, is a passionate advocate of Bitcoin. The company has made Bitcoin a crucial part of its reserve assets, and the quantity of Bitcoin it holds is astonishing.
Although there is no official ranking that clearly shows who owns 90% of Bitcoin, the above - mentioned corporate and institutional holders are likely to be among the top in the Bitcoin wealth ranking in 2025. The increasing number of companies and institutions investing in Bitcoin is a sign of the cryptocurrency's growing importance in the global financial landscape.
Over the past five years, the price of Bitcoin has soared by nearly 900%. This remarkable growth has been partly driven by the expectation of a crypto - friendly regulatory environment under the Trump administration. As more entities recognize the potential of Bitcoin, its role in corporate finance is expected to expand further.
While it's difficult to precisely determine who owns 90% of Bitcoin, it's evident that a combination of corporate giants, institutional investors, and a large number of individual owners contribute to the overall ownership structure. The distribution of Bitcoin ownership is a complex web, and the influence of various holders on the market cannot be underestimated. As the cryptocurrency market continues to develop, the pattern of Bitcoin ownership may also change, making it an area worthy of continuous attention for investors and market observers.
As always, in the volatile world of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, it's essential for investors to do their own research (DYOR) before making any investment decisions. The cryptocurrency market is highly speculative, and understanding the ownership structure can provide valuable insights into market trends and potential price movements.
| Major Bitcoin Holders | Type | Notable Information |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate | Invested excess cash in Bitcoin and Ethereum as revealed in IPO documents | |
| Tesla | Corporate | Book value of Bitcoin holdings increased from $184 million to $1.08 billion in Q4 2024 |
| Coinbase Global | Corporate | Holds a large amount of Bitcoin in cold wallets for user asset security |
| Cascade Investment | Institutional | Early investment in Bitcoin under the umbrella of Bill Gates |
| MicroStrategy | Institutional | CEO Michael Saylor is a Bitcoin advocate; Bitcoin is a major part of reserve assets |
Q: Is it true that a small number of people own 90% of Bitcoin?A: This is a common misconception. Data shows that Bitcoin ownership is relatively widely distributed, with 74% of owners holding less than 0.01 bitcoins. However, institutional and corporate players do hold significant amounts.
Q: Why are companies investing in Bitcoin?A: Companies recognize the long - term appreciation potential of Bitcoin and its value as an inflation - hedging tool. The significant price increase in the past few years has also attracted more corporate investment.
Q: How does the change in Tesla's Bitcoin book value affect the market?A: The increase in Tesla's Bitcoin book value due to accounting standards not only reflects the appreciation of Bitcoin but also signals to the market that large - scale corporate holders are confident in holding Bitcoin, which may have a positive impact on market sentiment.
