Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, is estimated to hold about 1.1 million Bitcoins. The exact number often cited is approximately 1,096,354 BTC, spread across roughly 22,000 Bitcoin addresses identified through blockchain analysis techniques such as the “Patoshi Pattern,” which links early mining activity to Nakamoto[1][3]. These Bitcoins have remained largely untouched since around 2010, making Nakamoto’s holdings some of the most scrutinized and significant in the cryptocurrency world.
The value of Satoshi’s Bitcoin holdings fluctuates directly with the price of Bitcoin itself. Since Bitcoin’s inception in 2009, when it had no market price, Nakamoto’s net worth has grown from effectively zero to tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars as Bitcoin’s price surged over the years. For example, when Bitcoin first reached $1 in 2011, Nakamoto’s holdings were worth about $1 million. By 2013, when Bitcoin hit around $266, the value rose to approximately $266 million. The 2017 bull run pushed Bitcoin to nearly $20,000, valuing Nakamoto’s stash at about $20 billion. The 2021 peak near $69,000 increased this to roughly $69 billion[1][2].
More recently, Bitcoin has reached new all-time highs, with prices surpassing $120,000 in 2025. This has pushed the estimated value of Nakamoto’s Bitcoin holdings to over $130 billion. Different sources report slightly varying figures depending on the exact Bitcoin price at the time of calculation. For instance, as of September 2025, Arkham Intelligence estimated Nakamoto’s net worth at around $124 billion based on Bitcoin prices near $123,800, while other reports cite values exceeding $136 billion when Bitcoin briefly hit $125,782[2][4].
This immense wealth places Satoshi Nakamoto among the richest individuals globally, comparable to or exceeding the net worth of well-known billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. However, unlike these billionaires, Nakamoto’s fortune is entirely in Bitcoin and remains untouched, locked in wallets that have not moved coins for over a decade. This raises ongoing speculation about whether the private keys controlling these Bitcoins are lost, inaccessible, or simply dormant[1][2][3].
The significance of Nakamoto’s Bitcoin holdings extends beyond personal wealth. Since these coins represent over 5% of Bitcoin’s maximum supply of 21 million coins, any movement or spending of these funds could have profound effects on the cryptocurrency market. The fact that these coins have remained static for so long adds to the mystique and stability of Bitcoin’s early distribution but also fuels curiosity and concern among investors and analysts.
In summary, Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin holdings are estimated at about 1.1 million BTC, with a current value fluctuating around $120 billion to $136 billion depending on Bitcoin’s market price. This makes Nakamoto the richest crypto holder by a wide margin, with a fortune that has grown alongside Bitcoin’s rise from an experimental digital currency to a globally recognized asset. The exact identity and intentions of Nakamoto remain unknown, and the fate of these Bitcoins continues to be one of the most intriguing mysteries in the cryptocurrency world.