Countries that own the most BitcoinIn addition to public and private companies and individuals, countries also control quite a decent chunk of circulating Bitcoin.
1. UNITED STATES - 205,515 BTC ($5.5 billion)The United States is the largest holder of Bitcoin among countries. It holds over $5.5 billion worth of Bitcoin, a large portion of which was seized in three cases – Silk Road, Bitfinex, and the seizure of James Zhong’s BTC. According to Bitcoin.com, the US holds 205,515 BTC.
2. UKRAINE - 46,351 BTC ($1.2 billion)The Ukrainian government manages $1.2 billion worth of Bitcoin. The country has received a lot of financial support in the form of cryptocurrency during the war against Russia that started last year. Even before the war, Ukraine was very open to the blockchain sector, passing favorable crypto regulations and making it easier for crypto companies to do business in the country.
3. EL SALVADOR - 2,381 BTC ($107 million)El Salvador is likely the most well-known country for owning Bitcoin. However, the Central American country doesn’t just own Bitcoin, it went a step further and became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. At the moment, El Salvador owns 2,381 BTC, worth roughly $107 million at current market rates.
WHO IS THE BIGGEST INVESTOR IN BITCOIN?
MicroStrategy is the largest public investor in Bitcoin, sitting on a $3.8 billion BTC stash. The company’s executive chairman Michael Saylor holds $480 million worth of BTC in a personal capacity.The biggest investor in Bitcoin is the publicly traded company MicroStrategy, which has spent billions of dollars on its Bitcoin investments over the past couple of years. While MicroStrategy is not the biggest holder of Bitcoin, it is an entity that has invested the most fiat in Bitcoin and now has a Bitcoin stash worth close to $3.8 billion.In addition, the executive chairman and a co-founder of MicroStrategy, Michael Saylor, is also very bullish on Bitcoin in his personal life.
According to Bybit, Saylor owns 17,732 BTC in a personal capacity, worth over $480 million. That means that Saylor is not exactly a crypto billionaire, but is still very heavily invested in crypto.
WHY DO PEOPLE INVEST IN BITCOIN?
People invest in Bitcoin for various reasons, driven by a combination of factors that make it an appealing investment opportunity.
Here are some main reasons why individuals choose to invest in Bitcoin:
POTENTIAL FOR HIGH RETURNS:
Bitcoin has gained significant attention for its potential to generate substantial returns. Its price has experienced significant volatility over the years, leading to rapid price increases and occasional corrections. For context, Bitcoin has gained a whopping +54,000,000% since 2010 – a $100 investment in Bitcoin then would be worth over $54,000,000 today.
STORE OF VALUE:
Bitcoin is often seen as a digital store of value, similar to gold. Some investors view it as a hedge against inflation and a way to preserve their wealth in uncertain economic times. Bitcoin's limited supply (capped at 21 million coins) and its decentralized nature make it resistant to traditional monetary policies that can lead to devaluation of fiat currencies.
DIVERSIFICATION AND PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION:
Bitcoin offers an opportunity to diversify investment portfolios. Adding Bitcoin to an investment portfolio can potentially increase potential returns.
DECENTRALIZATION AND FINANCIAL SOVEREIGNTY:
Bitcoin's decentralized nature appeals to those seeking financial sovereignty and independence from centralized financial institutions. Bitcoin allows individuals to have full control over their funds and make peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions without relying on intermediaries.
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND POTENTIAL:
Many investors are attracted to Bitcoin because of its underlying blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionize various industries.Bitcoin's blockchain offers secure, transparent, and immutable transactions, and its potential applications extend beyond currency to areas such as supply chain management and DeFi.
EARLY ADOPTION AND GROWTH POTENTIAL:
Bitcoin is still considered relatively early-stage in terms of mainstream adoption. Some investors are drawn to the potential growth prospects as more individuals, businesses, and institutions embrace Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, potentially driving up demand and value over time.
ACCESSIBLE AND GLOBAL MARKET: Bitcoin's digital nature and the availability of cryptocurrency exchanges have made it accessible to a global audience. Investors can easily trade, sell, and buy Bitcoin, even in regions with limited traditional financial services.
