List of Individuals and Institutions Holding Bitcoin (BTC) in 2026

Bitcoin ownership in 2026 is defined by two forces pulling in opposite directions. On one side, corporate treasuries and institutional vehicles have absorbed an unprecedented share of supply. 

On the other, the pseudonymous nature of the blockchain means that verifying exactly who owns what remains an imprecise exercise. 

What the data does confirm is that concentration has deepened. As of mid-2026, approximately 988,000 addresses hold at least 1 BTC, while public companies alone control over 5% of the total supply. 

More than 106 million people globally now have some exposure to Bitcoin, yet the largest holdings sit with a remarkably small group of companies and early adopters.

Key Takeaways

• Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) holds 845,050 BTC as of August 2026, making it the largest corporate Bitcoin holder by a factor of ten over any other public company.
• Approximately 988,000 Bitcoin addresses hold at least 1 BTC as of mid-2026, though the actual number of unique holders is lower because individuals and entities often control multiple wallets.
• Corporate Bitcoin treasury adoption has expanded beyond tech companies into mining firms, Japanese listed companies, and ventures backed by major financial institutions.

Bitcoin Ownership by the Numbers in 2026

Understanding Bitcoin ownership requires separating address counts from actual holder counts. A single entity can control dozens of wallets, while a single exchange wallet can represent millions of users.

As of mid-2026, blockchain data shows roughly 988,000 unique addresses holding 1 BTC or more. That figure is close to mid-2023 levels even though Bitcoin's price has roughly doubled over that period. 

Just 94 wallets globally hold more than 10,000 BTC each, and the number holding 1,000 or more BTC is estimated at roughly 2,000 to 2,500 addresses. The majority of those belong to exchanges and institutions rather than individuals.

Here's how ownership breaks down at the largest scale:

• Four addresses contain between 100,000 and 1,000,000 BTC, totalling approximately 639,536 BTC.
• The next 82 largest addresses, holding between 10,000 and 100,000 BTC, account for roughly 2,161,039 BTC combined.
• At least 12% of total supply is held by exchanges on behalf of clients.

The concentration is significant, but it reflects institutional adoption as much as it reflects early-era accumulation. Bitcoin ETFs, corporate treasuries, and sovereign holdings now account for a substantial and growing share of the addresses at the top of the distribution.

Top 5 Institutions Holding Bitcoin in 2026

Corporate and institutional Bitcoin adoption has moved well beyond the experimental phase. The following five institutions represent the largest publicly disclosed corporate Bitcoin holdings as of September 2026.

1. Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy)

Strategy holds 845,050 BTC as of August 31, 2026, acquired at a total cost of approximately $33.14 billion with an average purchase price of roughly $66,385 per coin. 

Led by Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, the company rebranded from MicroStrategy in August 2025 and repositioned as a Bitcoin operating company. 

Strategy finances its ongoing accumulation through a combination of at-the-market equity sales, convertible debt, and preferred stock issuance. 

Its most recent purchase added 4,603 BTC for approximately $370 million in early September 2026, ending a ten-week buying pause. Strategy's holdings represent roughly 4% of Bitcoin's total supply.

2. Twenty One Capital (XXI)

Twenty One Capital holds approximately 43,514 BTC, backed by Tether Investments and Bitfinex. 

Led by CEO Jack Mallers, the firm is structured as a Bitcoin-native public company focused on maximising Bitcoin ownership per share. 

A pending merger with Strike and Elektron Energy could make XXI the first publicly traded, vertically integrated Bitcoin business spanning custody, payments, and mining under one entity.

3. MARA Holdings (Marathon Digital)

MARA Holdings, formerly Marathon Digital, holds approximately 38,689 BTC as of early 2026. As one of the largest publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies in North America, MARA generates a portion of its holdings directly through mining operations. 

The company updated its treasury policy in early 2026 to allow potential sales from existing reserves, departing from its previous strict hold-only approach.

4. Metaplanet

Metaplanet, a Tokyo-listed company, holds approximately 35,100 BTC and has set a public target of 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026. Often called the "MicroStrategy of Japan," 

Metaplanet has become the most aggressive corporate Bitcoin buyer in Asia. Japan's evolving regulatory environment, which is expected to formally classify digital assets as financial products in 2026, supports the company's strategy.

5. Tesla

Tesla holds 11,509 BTC at an average cost of approximately $33,539 per coin. The company made its initial $1.5 billion purchase in February 2021, sold roughly 75% of its position in mid-2022, and has held the remaining balance steady since. Tesla has not purchased additional Bitcoin since 2021.

The table below summarises institutional holdings.

Other notable corporate holders include Block, Inc. (8,584 BTC), Riot Platforms (15,000+ BTC), and Galaxy Digital (~7,000 BTC).

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Notable Individuals Who Own Bitcoin

Beyond institutional holdings, several prominent individuals hold significant personal Bitcoin positions. 

The pseudonymous nature of Bitcoin means most individual holdings are estimated rather than confirmed, but the following figures are widely cited across blockchain analytics and public disclosures.

1. Satoshi Nakamoto

The identity of Bitcoin's creator remains unknown, but on-chain analysis estimates that Nakamoto mined approximately 1.1 million BTC during Bitcoin's earliest blocks. 

These coins have never moved, representing the single largest known concentration of Bitcoin in existence. At current prices, the position is worth tens of billions of dollars.

2. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss

The co-founders of the Gemini exchange purchased Bitcoin as early as 2013 when prices were below $150. At the time, the twins reportedly held approximately 1% of total Bitcoin supply. 

Current estimates suggest they still hold roughly 70,000 BTC combined, though Arkham Intelligence data from March 2026 showed the twins moved approximately $130 million worth of BTC to Gemini, presumably for partial liquidation. They remain among the largest known individual holders.

3. Tim Draper

The venture capitalist acquired approximately 29,500 BTC through a 2014 U.S. Marshals auction of Bitcoin seized from the Silk Road marketplace, adding to earlier purchases dating back to 2012. 

Draper has been a vocal long-term Bitcoin advocate and is estimated to still hold a significant portion of his original acquisition.

4. Michael Saylor

Separate from Strategy's corporate holdings, Saylor has publicly disclosed personal ownership of approximately 17,732 BTC. 

Combined with his role as Executive Chairman of the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, Saylor's total exposure to Bitcoin is among the highest of any individual globally.

5. Jack Dorsey

The co-founder of Twitter and CEO of Block (formerly Square) is a well-known Bitcoin advocate. Block holds 8,584 BTC in its corporate treasury plus 19,357 BTC on behalf of customers. 

Dorsey's personal holdings are not publicly disclosed, but his companies have integrated Bitcoin into payment rails, mining hardware, and self-custody products.

6. Barry Silbert

The founder of Digital Currency Group (DCG) and Grayscale Investments manages billions of dollars in cryptocurrency assets through his companies. 

DCG's portfolio includes Bitcoin mining operations, exchange investments, and the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC). Personal holdings are not publicly disclosed.

7. Brian Armstrong

As CEO of Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges globally, Armstrong's exact personal Bitcoin holdings are private. 

His role overseeing a platform that custodies Bitcoin for nine of twelve U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs positions him as one of the most influential figures in the Bitcoin custody ecosystem.

8. Matthew Roszak

A prominent blockchain advocate and early Bitcoin investor, Roszak holds an undisclosed but reportedly significant amount of BTC. 

His contributions to the blockchain ecosystem through advisory roles and direct investment position him as a noteworthy figure in long-term Bitcoin ownership.

9. Fred Ehrsam

As co-founder of Coinbase, Ehrsam is widely believed to hold a substantial Bitcoin position acquired during the exchange's earliest years. 

Exact figures remain private, but his early involvement in building cryptocurrency infrastructure suggests considerable personal exposure to the asset.

Celebrities and Public Figures Who Hold Bitcoin

Several high-profile individuals outside the technology sector have publicly shared Bitcoin holdings or endorsements, contributing to mainstream awareness.

Here's a selection of notable names:

• Elon Musk has publicly stated ownership of approximately 0.25 BTC personally, separate from Tesla's corporate holdings.
• Mark Cuban has discussed Bitcoin as part of a broader cryptocurrency portfolio.
• Richard Branson has expressed support for Bitcoin and invested in blockchain ventures.
• Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Snoop Dogg have publicly endorsed cryptocurrency, though their exact BTC holdings remain unverified.

Celebrity endorsements contribute to awareness but should not be treated as indicators of Bitcoin's investment merit. Holdings among public figures are often small relative to institutional and early-adopter positions.

Conclusion

Bitcoin ownership in 2026 is more institutional, more concentrated, and more transparent than at any previous point in the asset's history. 

Strategy's 845,050 BTC treasury, the rise of Bitcoin-native companies like Twenty One Capital and Metaplanet, and the continued presence of early individual adopters like the Winklevoss twins and Tim Draper illustrate how diverse the holder base has become. 

The gap between the largest holders and the average participant continues to widen, but regulated access points have made Bitcoin exposure more accessible than ever. 

For those looking to build their own Bitcoin position, Bitrue offers BTC spot and futures trading on a secure platform with deep liquidity and competitive fees.

FAQ

Who Holds the Most Bitcoin in 2026?

Satoshi Nakamoto is estimated to control approximately 1.1 million BTC in dormant wallets, while Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) is the largest active corporate holder with 845,050 BTC.

How Many Addresses Hold at Least 1 Bitcoin?

As of mid-2026, approximately 988,000 Bitcoin addresses hold 1 BTC or more, though the actual number of unique holders is lower due to multi-wallet management by individuals and institutions.

Does MicroStrategy Still Buy Bitcoin?

Yes. Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) resumed purchases in September 2026, adding 4,603 BTC for approximately $370 million after a ten-week pause.

How Much Bitcoin Does Tesla Hold?

Tesla holds 11,509 BTC at an average cost of approximately $33,539 per coin and has not purchased additional Bitcoin since its initial 2021 acquisition.

Where Can I Buy Bitcoin?

Bitrue offers BTC spot and futures trading pairs with deep liquidity, making it one of the most accessible platforms for buying and trading Bitcoin in 2026.

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