We all know the king crypto, Bitcoin, aren’t we? It is the largest crypto by market capitalization. There have been some giant whales out there who have accumulated a significant amount of Bitcoin in their vast ocean of cryptocurrency. Let us see who they are!
Who Are The Bitcoin Whales?
The total BTC supply in circulation is limited, that is, a circulating supply of around 19.5 million and a maximum supply of 21 million BTC. Many investors are curious to know about the Bitcoin whales and who owns large amounts. Crypto whales are individuals or organizations that own the most amount of a cryptocurrency. The importance of Bitcoin whales is important as they can highly influence the prices of certain crypto coins.
Bitcoin whales are crucial because:
- They help us in inferring price trends by tracking whales.
- Guessing what “whales” would do is a way to second guess the direction of the market.
- They are vital for BTC liquidity which helps us in identifying the ease with which one can buy or sell Bitcoin without notable price fluctuations.
- Top Bitcoin holders deepen the market by placing substantial buy and sell orders, providing more trading options and reducing price volatility.
So who owns the most Bitcoin in 2024?
Who Owns the Most BTC in 2024?
Public companies:
The Bitcoin ecosystem has a good contribution from public companies. Their holdings impact their stock performance and the broader crypto space. So, let us see who they are:
- Micro Strategy, a business intelligence firm that holds 189,150 BTC and is the foremost on the list! This represents 0.901% of the total 21 million Bitcoins that will ever exist.
- Tesla Inc. is the second on the list! The electric vehicle company holds 10,725 BTC, worth approximately $471.54 million. Tesla’s stock is greatly influenced by Bitcoin price fluctuations.
- Coinbase Global Inc. is a crypto exchange that holds 9,000 BTC valued at $395.7 million. The company’s stock performance is closely linked to the crypto market health and BTC price is the key driver!
- Galaxy Digital Holdings, a digital asset and blockchain-based merchant bank, holds 8,100 BTC equalling around $356.13 million.
- Block Inc. is a financial services and mobile payment company that holds 8.027 BTC worth $352.92 million.
This shows a broader sense of acceptance among institutions in terms of cryptocurrency. This trend showcases a growing confidence in Bitcoin as an asset class.
| Company | Number of BTc | Value |
| MicroStrategy | 189,150 | $8,316,269,150 |
| Tesla, Inc | 10,725 | $471,541,034 |
| Coinbase Global , Inc | 9,000 | $395,698,770 |
| Block, Inc | 8,027 | $352,919,336 |
| Bitcoin Group SE | 3,830 | $168,391,810 |
| Voyager Digital LTD | 2,287 | $100,551,454 |
| NEXON co. Ltd. | 1,717 | $75,490,532 |
Private firms:
Private companies’ BTC adoption shows their strategic shift towards digital assets. These investments are mostly driven by a variety of factors like confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term value, its potential as a hedge against inflation, and a desire to be part of the burgeoning digital economy.
- Mt. Gox, a major Bitcoin exchange, currently holds around 200,000 BTC, valued at approximately $8.79 billion. This holding accounts for 0.952% of the total Bitcoin supply. Mt. Gox’s Bitcoin holdings are mainly due to historical operational activities and have been a center of legal and financial discussions following its infamous hack and subsequent bankruptcy.
- Secondly, a software company specializing in high-performance blockchain technologies, Block.one holds 140,000 BTC, worth about $6.16 billion, having 0.667% of the total Bitcoin supply.
- Tether Holdings Ltd. holds 55,000 BTC, valued at roughly $2.42 billion, or 0.262% of the total supply.
- The Tezos Foundation holds 17,500 BTC, worth around $769.41 million, which is 0.083% of the total Bitcoin supply.
- Stone Ridge Holdings Group is an asset management company focusing on alternative investments and holds 10,000 BTC, valued at approximately $439.67 million, constituting 0.048% of Bitcoin’s total supply. Their investment in Bitcoin is part of a major strategy to diversify their portfolio.
| Company | Number of BTC | Value |
| Mt. Gox | 2,00,000 | $8.79 billion |
| Block.one | 140,000 | $6.16 billion |
| Tether Holdings | 55,000 | $2.42 billion |
| The Tezos Foundation | 17,500 | $769.41 million |
| Stone Ridge Holdings Group | 10,000 | $439.67 million |
Mining Companies:
They play a major role in the BTC world in terms of network security and creating a market influence through their Bitcoin reserves.
Let us have a look at the top mining companies holding Bitcoin in 2024:
| Company | Number of BTC | Value |
| Marathon Digital Holdings Inc. | 15,174 | $667.15 million |
| Hut 8 Corp | 9,129 | $401.37 million |
| Riot Platforms Inc | 7,362 | $323.68 million |
| CleanSpark Inc | 3,002 | $131.98 million |
| HIVE Digital Technologies | 1,707 | $75.05 million |
The connection between mining activities and reserve accumulation is a balancing phenomenon. On one hand, mining companies must sell a portion of their mined Bitcoin to cover operational costs, including electricity, hardware maintenance, and expansions. On the other hand, holding onto their mined Bitcoin can be seen as a sign of belief in the cryptocurrency’s future value. This strategy not only influences the supply side of Bitcoin but also reflects the miners’ viewpoint on market trends.
Moreover, these holdings play a major role in the security of the Bitcoin network. By reinvesting their profits into expanding mining operations, these companies contribute to maintaining a high hash rate, which is crucial for the network’s security and operations.
Final Thoughts
With the significant holdings and strategic investments, the institutions have underscored the growing integration of Bitcoin with traditional financial methods. Looking at the future, the collective influence of these entities holding BTC is surely going to propel the trajectory of Bitcoin toward a greater institutionalizing and mainstream acceptance.
It suggests a future where Bitcoin’s role extends beyond a speculative asset to a foundational element in diversified portfolios. The institutional accumulation of BTC also suggests a future where Bitcoin coexists with traditional frameworks, offering a wider list of investment opportunities and risk management strategies.