While millions own some Bitcoin, fewer individuals own a full Bitcoin (BTC), with estimates around 800,000 to 1.5 million individuals, though blockchain data shows roughly 1 million addresses holding 1 BTC or more, a figure that includes large holders like exchanges, not just single people. This number is growing but remains exclusive, with most holders owning less than one BTC, emphasizing Bitcoin's scarcity, notes this Bleap.finance article.
Laszlo Hanyecz, a programmer and early Bitcoin miner, famously traded 10,000 Bitcoin for two Papa John's pizzas on May 22, 2010, marking the first documented commercial transaction for physical goods with cryptocurrency, a day now celebrated as "Bitcoin Pizza Day". At the time, the Bitcoins were worth only about $41, but the value of those coins would later grow to be worth hundreds of millions, even over a billion dollars, making it one of history's most expensive pizzas.
However, the threshold for "elite" status depends on how you measure it. To be in the top 2-3% of current Bitcoin holders: You need approximately 1 BTC (~$91,700). Only 2.3% of addresses hold this much. To be in the top 1% of potential global adoption: You need 0.28 BTC (~$25,700).
Since many belong to custodians and institutions, the number of individuals who actually own 1 BTC is probably well under one million. Owning a single Bitcoin places you among the top 0.1% of all Bitcoin holders, as rare as owning a high-end property in the digital economy.
Ricardo Benjamín Salinas Pliego, a billionaire from Mexico and one of the three richest people in the country, has put 70% of his wealth in bitcoin.
Key Takeaways. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, meaning that when you buy, sell or exchange it, this counts as a taxable event and typically results in either a capital gain or loss. When you earn income from cryptocurrency activities, this is taxed as ordinary income.
15 years ago: A $1 investment would be worth $1.62 million since Bitcoin is up 162 million percent from August 2010.
Later, Jeremy ordered the two pizzas from Papa Johns, which were then delivered to Laszlo. “How lucky they must have been to find all that money in their hands!”. Actually, Papa Johns didn't receive any Bitcoin. For a straightforward reason: Papa Johns didn't accept Bitcoin in 2010.
The first notable retail transaction involving physical goods was paid on May 22, 2010, by exchanging 10,000 mined BTC for two pizzas delivered from a Papa John's in Jacksonville, Florida.
Bitcoin price prediction by 2040
Based on your prediction that Bitcoin will change at a rate of 5% every year, the price of Bitcoin would be $97,556.55 in 2027, $118,580.60 in 2031, $151,342.23 in 2036, and $193,155.30 in 2041.
For example, if Bitcoin reaches US$1 million per coin by 2035, as some analysts predict, the 4.28 BTC needed for a 2030 retirement could be worth over US$4 million, providing cushy financial security.
Standard Chartered's Geoff Kendrick conceded Tuesday that Bitcoin will not reach his $200,000 target by the end of the year–a forecast he has stood by for over a year. Instead, he now expects Bitcoin to hit $100,000 by the end of 2025.
The move was described as part of a strategy to diversify its cash assets and maximise investment returns. At the time, Tesla CEO Elon Musk vocally supported cryptocurrencies, even adding the hashtag #bitcoin to his Twitter (now X) bio, which caused bitcoin's price to soar 20% in a single day.
"We are concerned about rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions," Musk explained in a tweet, "especially coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel."
Gates also does not own any cryptocurrencies himself.