Bitcoin, the world’s first decentralized digital currency, has been making waves in the financial world since its inception in 2009. It was created by an anonymous person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin has since grown in popularity and value, with a current market capitalization of over $1 trillion as of May 2021. But how many people actually own bitcoin?
According to a survey conducted by the Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance, there are an estimated 101 million unique cryptocurrency users worldwide as of Q3 2020. This represents a significant increase from the 35 million users reported in 2018. However, it is important to note that this figure includes users of all cryptocurrencies, not just bitcoin.
Another study conducted by the cryptocurrency exchange Gemini found that 14% of Americans, or approximately 21 million people, currently own bitcoin. This figure is likely to be higher in other countries where cryptocurrency adoption is more widespread.
It is difficult to determine the exact number of bitcoin owners due to the decentralized nature of the currency. Transactions are recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain, but the identities of bitcoin owners are typically anonymous. However, there are some ways to estimate the number of bitcoin owners.
One method is to analyze the number of bitcoin addresses, which are like digital wallets that hold bitcoin. According to data from BitInfoCharts, there are currently over 709 million bitcoin addresses in existence. However, it is important to note that many users may have multiple addresses, so this figure is not an accurate representation of the number of bitcoin owners.
Another method is to look at the number of accounts on cryptocurrency exchanges, which are platforms where users can buy and sell bitcoin. As of May 2021, the largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume is Binance, which reported over 15 million registered users. Other popular exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken also have millions of users. However, not all bitcoin owners keep their bitcoin on an exchange, as it is often recommended to store it in a separate digital wallet for security reasons.
Overall, while the exact number of bitcoin owners is difficult to determine, it is clear that the number is growing rapidly. As more people become aware of the potential benefits of cryptocurrency, including decentralization, security, and potential for high returns, it is likely that more individuals will choose to invest in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.