Bitcoin, the pioneering cryptocurrency, has transformed early adopters, tech enthusiasts, and visionary investors into multimillionaires—and even billionaires. Since its inception in 2009, Bitcoin’s meteoric rise from fractions of a cent to over $60,000 per coin (at its peak) has created a new class of wealth. This article explores the top 20 individuals who amassed fortunes through Bitcoin, whether by holding the asset, founding groundbreaking companies, or championing its adoption. Let’s dive into their stories.
1. Satoshi Nakamoto
The pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, is undoubtedly the wealthiest Bitcoin holder. Estimates suggest Satoshi mined over 1 million BTC in Bitcoin’s early days. At current prices, this stash is worth over $60 billion. Despite endless speculation about Satoshi’s true identity, their coins remain untouched, cementing their legacy as cryptocurrency’s most enigmatic figure.
2. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss
The Winklevoss twins, famous for their legal battle with Mark Zuckerberg over Facebook, invested $11 million in Bitcoin in 2013. Their early bet paid off, as their holdings grew to over 100,000 BTC (worth billions today). They later founded Gemini, a leading crypto exchange, further solidifying their status as crypto titans.
3. Roger Ver
Known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” Roger Ver was one of Bitcoin’s earliest evangelists. He invested heavily in Bitcoin startups like Blockchain.com and Ripple and owned over 300,000 BTC at one point. Though he later shifted focus to Bitcoin Cash (BCH), his early holdings secured his place among crypto’s elite.
4. Michael Saylor 
As CEO of MicroStrategy, Michael Saylor spearheaded corporate Bitcoin adoption. Since 2020, his company has purchased over 150,000 BTC (worth ~$8 billion). While technically a corporate treasury asset, Saylor’s relentless advocacy has made him synonymous with Bitcoin’s institutional embrace.
5. Barry Silbert
Barry Silbert, founder of Digital Currency Group (DCG), owns stakes in crypto giants like Grayscale and CoinDesk. DCG’s Bitcoin Trust holds over 600,000 BTC. Silbert’s early bets on Bitcoin and blockchain infrastructure have positioned him as a central figure in the industry.
6. Charlie Shrem 
Charlie Shrem co-founded BitInstant, an early Bitcoin exchange, and was a key player in the Bitcoin Foundation. Despite legal troubles in 2014, his early mining activities and entrepreneurial ventures earned him a multimillion-dollar fortune.
7. Erik Finman 
At 12, Erik Finman invested 1,000inBitcoin,whichballoonedtoover4 million by 2017. He sold most of his holdings to fund tech ventures and education projects, but his story remains a testament to Bitcoin’s life-changing potential for young investors.
8. Tim Draper 
Venture capitalist Tim Draper bought 30,000 BTC (seized from Silk Road) in 2014 for 19million.ByBitcoin’s2021peak,hisstakeexceeded1.8 billion. Draper’s bullish predictions and investments in crypto startups like Coinbase have kept him in the spotlight.
9. Brian Armstrong 
As CEO of Coinbase, Brian Armstrong turned the exchange into a $50 billion public company. While his wealth stems from equity, Coinbase’s role in onboarding millions to Bitcoin makes him a pivotal figure in the ecosystem.
10. Changpeng Zhao (CZ) 
Though CZ’s Binance empire spans multiple cryptos, Bitcoin remains its cornerstone. Before regulatory issues, Binance dominated Bitcoin trading volumes, propelling CZ to a peak net worth of $96 billion in 2021.
11. Tony Gallippi 
Tony Gallippi co-founded BitPay, one of the first Bitcoin payment processors. BitPay’s success in enabling merchants to accept Bitcoin earned Gallippi significant equity and BTC holdings, placing him among early crypto millionaires.
12. Jered Kenna
Jered Kenna founded TradeHill, an early Bitcoin exchange, and reportedly owned 55,000 BTC in 2012. Though TradeHill closed in 2015, Kenna’s foresight in mining and trading secured his financial legacy.
13. Chamath Palihapitiya 
Facebook alum Chamath Palihapitiya invested in Bitcoin as early as 2013. His Social Capital fund and vocal advocacy for decentralized finance have amplified his influence, with personal holdings rumored to exceed nine figures.
14. Bobby Lee 
Bobby Lee co-founded BTCC, China’s first Bitcoin exchange, and later Ballet, a crypto wallet company. His early mining and entrepreneurial ventures earned him substantial Bitcoin wealth before BTCC shut down in 2017.
15. Brock Pierce
A former child actor, Brock Pierce pivoted to crypto, co-founding Blockchain Capital and Tether. His Bitcoin investments and role in shaping stablecoins have made him a controversial yet undeniable millionaire.
16. Dan Morehead
As CEO of Pantera Capital, Dan Morehead launched the first Bitcoin-focused hedge fund in 2013. Pantera’s early bets on Bitcoin and DeFi projects have generated massive returns, boosting Morehead’s personal wealth.
17. Matthew Roszak
Matthew Roszak, founder of Bloq, began accumulating Bitcoin in 2010. A vocal advocate, he co-produced the documentary The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin and invested in startups like Kraken, cementing his millionaire status.
18. Martti Malmi 
Martti Malmi (alias “Sirius”) was Satoshi Nakamoto’s first collaborator, helping develop Bitcoin’s code and interface. His early mining rewards and contributions to Bitcoin’s infrastructure laid the groundwork for his wealth.
19. Bruce Fenton 
Bruce Fenton, a former Wall Street trader, joined the Bitcoin Foundation in 2014. His investments in Bitcoin and roles at Chainstone Labs and Atlantic Financial highlight his dual expertise in finance and crypto.
20. Jeremy Liew 
Jeremy Liew, a partner at Lightspeed Ventures, led Snapchat’s seed round and later invested in Blockchain.com. His early backing of crypto infrastructure projects has yielded significant Bitcoin-linked returns.
Honorable Mentions
- Hal Finney: The first person to receive a Bitcoin transaction, Finney mined thousands of BTC before passing away in 2014.
- Kristoffer Koch: A Norwegian man who forgot about his 5,000 BTC investment in 2009, rediscovering it in 2013 when it was worth $886,000.
Conclusion
Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos has democratized wealth creation, enabling everyone from teenage investors to Silicon Valley veterans to build fortunes. While some, like Satoshi Nakamoto, remain anonymous, others have become household names in finance and tech. As Bitcoin continues to evolve, its millionaires—and their stories—will inspire future generations to explore the transformative power of cryptocurrency. Whether through holding, innovating, or advocating, these 20 individuals prove that the Bitcoin revolution is just beginning.
