TL;DR
- Satoshi Nakamoto surpasses Bill Gates in net worth, with an estimated fortune of $116.7 billion, according to Arkham data.
- The figure is based on more than 1.1 million BTC that haven’t moved since they were mined between 2009 and 2010.
- If Bitcoin hits $200,000, Nakamoto’s estimated wealth could exceed $200 billion.
Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, has overtaken Bill Gates in net worth, according to data from Arkham. The blockchain analytics firm reported that the fortune attributed to Satoshi stands at $116.7 billion, compared to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates’ $116.2 billion. While he doesn’t appear on official wealth rankings, this confirms that the mastermind behind Bitcoin now holds a place among the world’s largest fortunes.
The value comes from over 1.1 million BTC sitting in addresses associated with Satoshi since the earliest years of the network. These coins have remained untouched since they were mined between 2009 and 2010. The inactivity of those funds has turned these wallets into a symbol within the crypto community. Some users even continue sending small amounts of BTC to those addresses as a tribute or to grab attention.
Satoshi Nakamoto’s Fortune: A Cornerstone in Bitcoin’s History
The figure released by Arkham provides a concrete number that makes it possible to compare this fortune against traditional billionaire fortunes. According to the firm, Nakamoto now surpasses Gates and edges closer to the top spots. Bitcoin remains above $100,000, and if it holds this trend — or reaches $200,000, as several analysts project for 2025 or 2026 — Nakamoto’s fortune could top $200 billion. For now, though, his wealth already stands at historic levels without Bitcoin needing to break $120,000.
Nakamoto’s identity remains a mystery. The untouched status of those BTC is considered a crucial part of Bitcoin’s history, since any movement would have direct consequences for the market and the broader crypto industry. For now, there’s no indication that this will happen.
At the time of writing, Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at around $106,145. In the past 24 hours, it’s gained 1.9%, with trading volume surging 49% to surpass $65 billion
