Top 5 Bitcoin Investors in the World, Number 4 Most Famous
Bitcoin is the largest blockchain-based digital asset, with a market capitalization of USD896.7 billion or IDR12.875 trillion (Exchange rate of IDR14,358/USD) in December 2021. This cryptocurrency is very popular with cryptocurrency enthusiasts and speculative investors. Citing the investopedia.com page, the surge in the value of Bitcoin has given rise to new billionaires. Some of them are by building an ecosystem and creating products related to cryptocurrencies. Then some present exchanges in trading cryptocurrencies. Others are creating tokens and some are taking advantage of the surge and popularity of Bitcoin. Several wealthy business owners and entrepreneurs have invested heavily in this digital asset. Here is the top list of Bitcoin investors, compiled from financial and media reports.
1. Barry Silbert Barry Silbert is the founder and CEO of the Digital Currency Group. The company aims to accelerate the development of the global financial system by building and supporting bitcoin and blockchain companies. The Digital Currency Group has invested in more than 165 blockchain and cryptocurrency related companies. The company's portfolio includes Genesis, a liquidity provider that is an entity that finances with cryptocurrencies for buyers. and sellers of cryptocurrencies in over-the-counter markets. Digital Currency Group also owns Grayscale Investments, which manages the Bitcoin Investment Trust (GBTC), an investment giant that holds 654,600 bitcoins and gives investors exposure to their price movements.
2. Michael Saylor
Co-founder and CEO of business intelligence firm Microstrategy, Micheal Saylor believes cryptocurrencies are the next biggest investment. Microstrategy increased bitcoin holdings in December 2021, buying 1,434 bitcoins for around $84 million. The company holds a total of 122,478 bitcoins.
3. Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss have staked millions of their money in several cryptocurrencies as well as Blockchain related businesses. The Winklevoss twins are also entrepreneurs who started the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange. They are believed to be the first to achieve billionaire status by investing in bitcoin. Winklevoss reportedly held around 100,000 coins worth around USD 4.8 billion as of December 2021. The Winklevoss twins launched the Gemini exchange in 2015. The company allowed investors to buy, sell and store their digital assets. Gemini launched bitcoin futures on the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) in December 2017. In addition to bitcoin, the Tyler and Cameron brothers are also heavily invested in ethereum, although they have not disclosed their holdings.
4. Elon Musk Elon Musk is one of the most well-known Bitcoin investors. The Tesla CEO and co-founder continues to build electric cars and several clean energy products. As an innovative company that stands at the forefront of technology, Elon Musk is known as a cryptocurrency enthusiast. Tesla has bought $1.5 billion worth of bitcoin in 2021 and is preparing to accept it as a form of payment. Elon Musk was recently named Time magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2021, the year his electric car company became the world's most valuable automaker. The world and its rocket company take to the skies with a crew all from civil society. Time magazine called Musk "a man who aspired to save our planet and make us have a new planet to live in." Edward Felsenthal, editor-in-chief of Time, wrote that Person of the Year highlights influential people.
5. Michael Novogratz Michael Novogratz is a former hedge fund manager at Fortress Investment Group and a partner at Goldman Sachs. He is also a frequent commentator on bitcoin price fluctuations. He is the founder, CEO, and chairman of Galaxy Digital Holdings, a broker-dealer that offers a wide range of blockchain-related asset services. Galaxy Digital focuses on digital assets. In the third quarter of 2021, it purchased a non-fungible token (NFT) related company for USD62 million. NFT is a digital asset that uses blockchain technology for security identification and ownership. They became popular in 2021 after digital art guaranteed by NFT technology went on sale for millions of dollars. Galaxy reported having $1.9 billion in cryptocurrencies listed in its third-quarter financial statements. Of which USD608.5 million is held in managed funds and USD159.6 million is held for the benefit of General Partners. The company likely holds around USD768.1 million in Bitcoins as of the 2021 third quarter report.