Top Bitcoin Holders in 2025

Bitcoin remains the most valuable and well-known cryptocurrency in the world. Despite its reputation for decentralization, large holders — known as “whales“—including individuals, corporations, governments, and funds—control substantial amounts of BTC.

But who holds the most Bitcoin in 2025, and why does it matter?

Who Are Bitcoin Whales?

Bitcoin’s total supply is capped at 21 million coins. As of April 2025, about 19.6 million BTC were in circulation. Whales are entities—whether individuals, companies, or governments—that hold a disproportionately large amount of Bitcoin. Their influence on the market is significant due to their ability to drive or dampen price action through major trades.

Moreover, whales impact liquidity — the ability to buy or sell Bitcoin without significant price fluctuations. Deep-pocketed holders contribute to a more stable market through large buy and sell orders, although their actions can also cause short-term volatility.

Nikita Buzov, CEO and Founder of Solace, commented:

“Understanding the flow of liquidity and where it is positioned allows one to read sentiment, predict price movements, and anticipate imminent large-scale liquidations.”

Who Owns the Most Bitcoin in 2025?

According to the most recent data:

Satoshi Nakamoto

Still the largest known BTC holder, the anonymous Bitcoin creator is estimated to hold approximately 1.1 million BTC across more than 22,000 addresses—untouched since its creation.

BlackRock (iShares Bitcoin Trust – IBIT)

BlackRock now holds over 350,000 BTC through its ETF and is on track to overtake Satoshi as the largest BTC holder by late 2025.

MicroStrategy

Led by Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor, MicroStrategy now holds around 461,000 BTC as of Q1 2025, at an average price of $63,610 per coin.

Binance

The world’s largest crypto exchange reportedly controls around 550,000 BTC across multiple wallets.

United States Government

The U.S. government holds approximately 213,246 BTC, largely acquired through asset seizures.

China and North Korea

China holds around 190,000 BTC, while North Korea — through cyber-hacking units such as the Lazarus Group — holds an estimated 13,580 BTC, reportedly used to fund state programs.

Grayscale and Fidelity

Grayscale’s GBTC trust holds roughly $20.6 billion in BTC, while Fidelity’s FBTC fund manages about $18.4 billion in assets.

5 Largest Individual Bitcoin Billionaires (2025)

• Satoshi Nakamoto – 1.1M BTC (unmoved)
• Michael Saylor – Over 17,000 BTC personally, plus 461,000 BTC via MicroStrategy
• Brian Armstrong – CEO of Coinbase
• Changpeng Zhao (CZ) – Former CEO of Binance
• Tim Draper – Acquired 30,000 BTC via U.S. government auction

 

Biggest Celebrity Bitcoin Owners (Updated for 2025)

• Elon Musk – Still holds Bitcoin as part of personal and Tesla holdings
• Jack Dorsey – Continues to be a vocal Bitcoin maximalist
• Mike Tyson – Early advocate, still involved in crypto ventures
• Maisie Williams, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West – Publicly declared their BTC holdings

 

Top 10 Companies Holding the Most BTC (2025)

1. MicroStrategy – 461,000 BTC
2. Tesla – 9,720 BTC
3. Robinhood – 136,755 BTC
4. Marathon Digital Holdings
5. Galaxy Digital Holdings
6. Hut 8 Mining
7. Coinbase (Treasury Holdings)
8. Square (Block, Inc.)
9. Voyager Digital
10. Bit Digital Inc.

Top 5 Crypto Exchanges Holding BTC (2025)

1. Binance – 550,000 BTC
2. Bitfinex – 180,000 BTC
3. OKX – 62,000 BTC
4. Crypto.com – 24,000 BTC
5. BitMEX – 13,000 BTC

Note: These figures may fluctuate as exchanges manage hot/cold wallets and custodial services.

Which Countries Hold the Most Bitcoin?

• United States – Leading with over 213,000 BTC in government reserves
• China – Estimated at 190,000 BTC
• North Korea – Holds 13,580 BTC
• El Salvador – Continues to purchase BTC for national reserves
• Central African Republic – Maintains BTC as legal tender

In a significant shift, the U.S. has launched a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, similar to its strategic oil reserves, signalling Bitcoin’s rising importance as a national asset.

Why This Matters

Bitcoin’s supply is fixed. Knowing where large portions are held reveals necessary market behaviour, liquidity, and decentralization dynamics. Whether it’s institutional funds like BlackRock or nation-states like the U.S., consolidating BTC into fewer hands may contradict Bitcoin’s decentralized ideal — but it also signifies growing mainstream and governmental confidence.

Image Source: Adobe Stock

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used for legal, tax, investment or financial advice.