Satoshi Nakamoto Nears Top 10 Rich List with $134B Bitcoin Hoard

Satoshi Nakamoto—the enigmatic creator or creators behind Bitcoin—has quietly become one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. Blockchain data shows the original coins mined between 2009 and 2010, which have remained untouched since, now total approximately 1.096 million BTC. With Bitcoin recently surpassing $122,000, these holdings are currently valued at roughly $134 billion, making Nakamoto the eleventh richest person globally, just below figures like Sergey Brin and Warren Buffett.

What makes this figure particularly intriguing is that Nakamoto has never spent a penny. Analysts have flagged the immobility of these early coins as a sign of intent—or at least indifference—to public markets. The massive stash, mined in Bitcoin’s infancy on modest hardware, is now dormant in wallets dating back to the earliest days of the network, adding to the enduring mystery surrounding their ownership.

Observers suggest that Nakamoto’s accumulation could climb even further in the wealth rankings. Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas projects that if Bitcoin continues its average annual growth of around 50%, Nakamoto could ascend into the top five richest individuals by 2026, potentially overtaking Elon Musk if BTC reaches approximately $370,000.

Despite the financial magnitude, the story remains rooted in mystery. Nakamoto hasn’t communicated since 2011, and their true identity—whether a single person or a group—remains concealed. Efforts like the HBO documentary “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery” have suggested possible candidates, including developer Peter Todd, but such claims remain speculative and unproven. The unknown nature of this immense wealth underlines Bitcoin’s original ideals: decentralization, privacy, and the enduring aura of the unknown.