Bitcoin, the world’s first and largest cryptocurrency, has been gaining popularity since its inception in 2009. It was created by an anonymous individual or group of individuals under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. As of 2021, Bitcoin has become a household name, attracting more investors and traders than ever before. But how many people own Bitcoin?
According to a survey conducted by the Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance, there were approximately 101 million Bitcoin users worldwide as of Q3 2020. However, this number includes both active and inactive users, meaning that the actual number of people who own Bitcoin is likely lower. Additionally, this figure does not take into account the number of people who own Bitcoin indirectly through investment funds or other financial instruments.
Another metric to consider is the number of active Bitcoin addresses. An active address is defined as an address that has sent or received Bitcoin in the past 30 days. As of April 2021, there were approximately 36 million active Bitcoin addresses. While this number does not directly correspond to the number of people who own Bitcoin, it provides a more accurate representation of the number of individuals actively using the cryptocurrency.
It is also important to note that the distribution of Bitcoin ownership is highly concentrated. According to a report by Chainalysis, approximately 2% of Bitcoin addresses control 95% of the cryptocurrency’s wealth. This indicates that a small number of individuals and institutions hold a significant portion of the total Bitcoin supply.
Furthermore, the popularity of Bitcoin has been increasing rapidly in recent years. The cryptocurrency has seen a surge in price, with its value surpassing $60,000 in April 2021. This has led to a growing number of institutional investors and corporations investing in Bitcoin, including Tesla, MicroStrategy, and Square. As more institutions and individuals invest in Bitcoin, the number of people who own the cryptocurrency is likely to increase.
In conclusion, the exact number of people who own Bitcoin is difficult to determine. While the Cambridge survey estimates that there were approximately 101 million Bitcoin users worldwide as of Q3 2020, this figure includes both active and inactive users. The number of active Bitcoin addresses is a more accurate representation of the number of individuals using the cryptocurrency, which was approximately 36 million as of April 2021. However, the distribution of Bitcoin ownership is highly concentrated, with a small number of individuals and institutions controlling a significant portion of the total Bitcoin supply. As the popularity of Bitcoin continues to grow, the number of people who own the cryptocurrency is likely to increase.