Bitcoin (BTC) continues to dominate the cryptocurrency landscape, trading at $100,297 per coin** as of December 2024. With a market capitalization of **$1.98 trillion, BTC ranks as the seventh-largest global asset. This article delves into the top 10 entities holding Bitcoin, collectively controlling 14.82% of its circulating supply—a staggering 2.9 million BTC worth $294 billion.
Key Players Shaping Bitcoin’s Market
1. Coinbase – 1,123,520 BTC ($112B)
- The largest single holder, acting as a custodian for investors.
- Notable: Holdings are spread across thousands of addresses, not a single wallet.
2. Binance – 686,997 BTC ($68.9B)
- Centralized exchange securing assets for users.
3. BlackRock (IBIT ETF) – 520,861 BTC ($52.2B)
- Reflects institutional adoption via spot Bitcoin ETFs.
4. MicroStrategy – 402,099 BTC ($40.3B)
- Publicly traded company holding BTC as a treasury reserve.
5. Bitfinex – 350,262 BTC ($35B)
- Crypto exchange with significant on-chain reserves.
👉 Explore Bitcoin’s market dynamics
6–10: Institutional and Government Holders
| Rank | Entity | BTC Held | Value (Dec 2024) |
|------|----------------|---------------|------------------|
| 6 | Grayscale | 211,799 BTC | $21.19B |
| 7 | Fidelity | 201,043 BTC | $20.11B |
| 8 | U.S. Government| 199,172 BTC | $19.92B |
| 9 | "Individual X" | 180,701 BTC | $18B |
| 10 | Kraken | 179,409 BTC | $17.94B |
FAQs
Q: Do exchanges like Coinbase own their BTC holdings?
A: No—80% of top holders (e.g., Coinbase, Binance) custody BTC for customers and investors.
Q: How does the U.S. government acquire Bitcoin?
A: Through asset seizures (e.g., Silk Road auctions).
Q: What’s the impact of institutional ETFs?
A: They drive liquidity but may centralize ownership.
👉 Learn about Bitcoin’s decentralization debate
Bitcoin’s Ownership Landscape: Key Insights
- 14.82% of circulating BTC is held by just 10 entities.
- Institutional adoption (ETFs, corporate treasuries) is reshaping supply dynamics.
- Decentralization concerns arise as large players amass influence.
As Bitcoin approaches 2025, its distribution patterns will shape narratives around market equity and financial sovereignty.