Bitcoin has been one of the most talked-about topics in the world of finance for the last decade. Since its inception in 2009, the cryptocurrency has grown in popularity and value, making it a favorite investment for many. However, like any investment, some people have made more money off bitcoin than others. In this article, we will explore who has made the most off bitcoin.
1. Satoshi Nakamoto
The mysterious creator of bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, is believed to have mined approximately 1.1 million bitcoins, which would be worth around $40 billion at current prices. However, it is unknown whether Nakamoto is still in possession of these coins, as they have not been moved since they were mined.
2. The Winklevoss Twins
Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, who are best known for suing Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, have been big proponents of bitcoin for years. In 2013, they used $11 million of their settlement money from the Zuckerberg lawsuit to buy 1% of all bitcoins in circulation at the time. This investment is now worth over $5 billion.
3. Roger Ver
Roger Ver, also known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” was an early investor in bitcoin and has been a vocal advocate for the cryptocurrency. He is estimated to own around 300,000 bitcoins, which would be worth over $11 billion at current prices.
4. Barry Silbert
Barry Silbert is the founder and CEO of Digital Currency Group, a company that invests in blockchain and cryptocurrency startups. Silbert is believed to have invested heavily in bitcoin early on and is estimated to own over 100,000 bitcoins, which would be worth around $3.7 billion.
5. Tim Draper
Venture capitalist Tim Draper was an early investor in bitcoin, buying 30,000 bitcoins in a government auction in 2014. He is estimated to own around 40,000 bitcoins today, which would be worth over $1.5 billion.
6. Michael Saylor
Michael Saylor is the CEO of MicroStrategy, a software company that made headlines in 2020 when it invested over $1 billion in bitcoin. Saylor is a vocal advocate for bitcoin and is estimated to own around 17,000 bitcoins, worth over $630 million.
7. The Bitcoin Whale
There is an anonymous bitcoin investor known as the “Bitcoin Whale” who is believed to own over 100,000 bitcoins, worth over $3.7 billion. The identity of the Bitcoin Whale is unknown, but they have been active in the bitcoin community since 2011.
In conclusion, these are just a few of the individuals who have made the most off bitcoin. It is important to note that investing in cryptocurrency is not without risk, and the value of bitcoin can be volatile. However, for those who got in early and held on to their investments, bitcoin has been a lucrative investment opportunity.