Bitcoin has come a long way since Satoshi Nakamoto mined the first block in January 2009. Today, with a market cap exceeding $1.7 trillion, Bitcoin has become the world's premier digital asset — now accepted by major payment platforms like PayPal alongside traditional currencies.
Whether you're an investor, trader, or simply curious about the world's most famous cryptocurrency, these statistics reveal the current state of Bitcoin's supply, mining industry, adoption, and who controls the most BTC.
Key Takeaways
- 19.94 million Bitcoins are currently in circulation (95% of max supply)
- Only 1.06 million BTC remain to be mined — expected by year 2140
- An estimated 3-4 million BTC are permanently lost forever
- Satoshi Nakamoto holds approximately 1.1 million BTC worth ~$100 billion
- Bitcoin's market cap exceeds $1.7 trillion with 59% crypto market dominance
- Over 500 million people worldwide now own Bitcoin
- The next halving in April 2028 will reduce block rewards to 1.5625 BTC
How Many Bitcoins Exist Right Now?
1. There are 19.94 million Bitcoins currently in circulation
As of December 2025, approximately 19.94 million Bitcoins have been mined, representing 95% of the total maximum supply. According to CoinIndex research on Bitcoin supply, only about 1.06 million BTC remain to be created through mining over the next 115 years.
2. Bitcoin has a hard cap of 21 million coins that can never be changed
Unlike fiat currencies that can be printed indefinitely, Bitcoin's maximum supply is permanently fixed at 21 million coins. This is coded into the Bitcoin protocol and would require unanimous network consensus to change — something considered virtually impossible.
3. Approximately 450 new Bitcoins are mined every day
Following the April 2024 halving, the block reward dropped from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC. With roughly 144 blocks mined per day (one every ~10 minutes), about 450 new Bitcoins enter circulation daily — down from 900 before the halving.
Fun Fact: The last Bitcoin won't be mined until approximately the year 2140. However, 98% of all Bitcoin will be mined by 2030.
How Many Bitcoins Are Lost Forever?
4. An estimated 3-4 million Bitcoins are permanently inaccessible
Research by Chainalysis and River Financial estimates that between 2.3 and 3.7 million Bitcoins are permanently lost. These coins sit in wallets where private keys have been forgotten, lost, or destroyed — representing 11-18% of the total supply.
5. Early miners account for most lost Bitcoin
Many early Bitcoin miners from 2009-2011 didn't secure their private keys properly, as Bitcoin was essentially worthless at the time. One famous case involves a British man who threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 BTC — now worth over $800 million.
6. Satoshi Nakamoto's 1.1 million BTC have never moved
The Bitcoin creator holds approximately 1.1 million BTC across an estimated 20,000+ wallet addresses. These coins, mined between 2009-2010, have remained untouched for over 15 years and are worth approximately $100 billion at current prices.
What Is Bitcoin's Market Cap and Price?
7. Bitcoin's market cap exceeds $1.7 trillion
As of December 2025, Bitcoin's market capitalization stands at approximately $1.74 trillion, making it larger than most major companies and many national currencies. Bitcoin represents 59.3% of the total cryptocurrency market cap of $2.87 trillion.
8. Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $126,210 in October 2025
Following institutional adoption, ETF approvals, and the 2024 halving, Bitcoin surged to new all-time highs in 2025. The October 6, 2025 peak of $126,210 represented a massive increase from its $69,000 peak in the previous cycle.
9. The global crypto market cap is $2.87 trillion
While thousands of cryptocurrencies exist, Bitcoin alone accounts for nearly 60% of the entire market. Ethereum is second with roughly 13%, meaning Bitcoin's dominance remains unchallenged.
Who Holds the Most Bitcoin?
10. Satoshi Nakamoto is the largest Bitcoin holder with 1.1 million BTC
The anonymous Bitcoin creator remains the largest single holder. These coins have never moved since being mined in 2009-2010, leading many to speculate whether Satoshi is deceased or simply committed to never selling.
| Holder | BTC Holdings | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Satoshi Nakamoto | ~1,100,000 BTC | Individual |
| Coinbase | ~897,000 BTC | Exchange |
| BlackRock (iShares ETF) | ~778,000 BTC | ETF |
| Strategy (MicroStrategy) | ~650,000 BTC | Corporation |
| Binance | ~629,000 BTC | Exchange |
| US Government | ~327,000 BTC | Government |
11. US Bitcoin ETFs hold $179.5 billion in assets under management
Following the January 2024 approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, institutional money has flooded into the market. By mid-2025, US-listed Bitcoin ETFs had accumulated $179.5 billion in AUM, with net inflows exceeding $14.8 billion in 2025 alone.
12. The US government holds approximately 198,000-327,000 BTC
Through seizures from criminal organizations (including Silk Road), the US government has accumulated a significant Bitcoin position. In March 2025, the White House created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to centralize these holdings.
Did You Know? There are only 11-17 confirmed Bitcoin billionaires in the world as of 2025, including the Winklevoss twins and early investors.
How Many People Own Bitcoin?
13. Over 500 million people worldwide now own Bitcoin
Global Bitcoin adoption has exploded, with emerging markets like India, Nigeria, and Argentina leading in per capita adoption. The number of crypto users has grown by more than 377% since 2021.
14. 45 million Americans (13.22%) own Bitcoin
The United States has the largest Bitcoin holder base by total number. With 45 million holders, approximately 13% of the US adult population owns some amount of Bitcoin.
15. Fewer than 1 million wallets hold at least 1 full Bitcoin
Despite 500 million users, only 800,000-850,000 wallets contain 1 BTC or more. This highlights how Bitcoin ownership remains highly concentrated, with most users owning fractional amounts.
How Does Bitcoin Mining Work?
16. Bitcoin's hashrate reached an all-time high of 976 EH/s in August 2025
The network's computational power continues to grow exponentially. Hashrate measures the total computing power securing the network — higher hashrate means greater security and decentralization.
17. Bitcoin mining consumes 175-212 TWh annually
According to the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, Bitcoin mining consumes approximately 211.58 terawatt-hours per year — roughly 0.83% of global electricity consumption. This is comparable to countries like Thailand or Poland.
18. 52.4% of Bitcoin mining uses non-fossil fuel energy sources
Bitcoin mining has become increasingly green. The energy mix includes hydropower (23.4%), nuclear (9.8%), wind (15.4%), solar (3.2%), and other renewables. Natural gas (38.2%) leads fossil fuel usage.
19. Mining one Bitcoin requires 854,400 kWh of electricity
The average US home consumes about 10,500 kWh per year. This means mining a single Bitcoin uses as much electricity as powering an American home for 81 years.
20. The US leads Bitcoin mining with 37.8-44% of global hashrate
The United States dominates Bitcoin mining due to cheap electricity in states like Texas and Kentucky. Russia holds 15.5%, while China maintains 14.1% despite the 2021 mining ban.
| Country | Hashrate Share | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 37.8-44% | Regulatory stability, cheap power |
| Russia | 15.5% | Cold climate, cheap electricity |
| China | 14.1% | Operating despite 2021 ban |
| Paraguay | 3.9% | 99% hydropower |
21. Bitcoin miners earned $11.2 billion in 2025
Despite the halving reducing block rewards by 50%, miner revenue rose 7.1% year-over-year thanks to Bitcoin's price appreciation and transaction fees. Next-gen ASICs improved efficiency by 35%.
What Is the Bitcoin Halving Schedule?
22. The most recent halving occurred on April 20, 2024
At block height 840,000, the block reward dropped from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC. This was the fourth halving in Bitcoin's history and reduced the daily issuance from 900 to 450 new coins.
| Halving | Date | Block Reward |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | November 28, 2012 | 50 → 25 BTC |
| 2nd | July 9, 2016 | 25 → 12.5 BTC |
| 3rd | May 11, 2020 | 12.5 → 6.25 BTC |
| 4th | April 20, 2024 | 6.25 → 3.125 BTC |
| 5th (Expected) | April 2028 | 3.125 → 1.5625 BTC |
23. The next halving is expected in April 2028
At block height 1,050,000, the reward will drop to 1.5625 BTC per block. Historically, each halving has preceded significant price increases in the following 12-18 months due to reduced supply inflation.
Historical Pattern: After the 2012 halving, Bitcoin rose 9,000%. After 2016, it rose 2,800%. After 2020, it rose 600%. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
How Fast Is the Lightning Network Growing?
24. Lightning Network capacity hit an all-time high of 5,606 BTC
On December 16, 2025, the Lightning Network's capacity reached a record high worth approximately $490 million. This layer-2 solution enables instant, near-free Bitcoin transactions.
25. Lightning processes over 8 million transactions monthly
Public Lightning transaction volume has surged 266% year-over-year. The network now supports over 20,000 active nodes and can theoretically process millions of transactions per second.
26. Coinbase integrated Lightning Network in March 2025
North America's largest cryptocurrency exchange added Lightning support, with over 15% of Bitcoin withdrawals now using the faster, cheaper network. Major exchanges like Binance, OKX, and Kraken have also integrated Lightning.
27. Lightning Network adoption grew from 5.98% to 14.51% of Bitcoin payments
The share of Bitcoin payments using Lightning has more than doubled since 2022. Businesses report cost savings exceeding 80% compared to on-chain transactions.
How Many Bitcoin ATMs Exist Worldwide?
28. There are approximately 37,000-40,000 Bitcoin ATMs globally
Bitcoin ATM numbers peaked at nearly 40,000 in December 2022 and have since stabilized. These machines allow users to buy (and sometimes sell) Bitcoin with cash or debit cards.
29. The United States hosts 85% of all Bitcoin ATMs
With approximately 34,000 machines, the US dominates the Bitcoin ATM market. Major cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and New York have the highest concentrations.
30. El Salvador has 215 Bitcoin ATMs — leading Latin America
Despite rolling back Bitcoin as legal tender in late 2024, El Salvador maintains the most Bitcoin ATMs in the LATAM region. The country still holds 6,262 BTC (worth over $730 million) in national reserves.
What Countries Lead Bitcoin Adoption?
31. El Salvador was the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender
In September 2021, El Salvador made history. However, in December 2024, the country agreed to reduce its Bitcoin involvement as part of a $1.4 billion IMF loan agreement, removing the mandatory merchant acceptance requirement.
32. The US created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in March 2025
The White House established a government reserve to centralize approximately 198,000 BTC from criminal seizures under state control. This marked a major shift in US cryptocurrency policy.
33. India, Nigeria, and Argentina lead per capita Bitcoin adoption
Emerging markets with currency instability or limited banking access have seen the highest grassroots Bitcoin adoption. These countries use Bitcoin for remittances, savings protection, and daily transactions.
| Country | Key Bitcoin Policy | Status |
|---|---|---|
| El Salvador | Legal tender (rescinded 2024) | 6,262 BTC reserves |
| United States | Strategic Bitcoin Reserve | ~198,000 BTC held |
| UAE | Crypto-friendly regulations | Growing hub |
| Switzerland | "Crypto Valley" in Zug | Pro-innovation |
| Singapore | Clear regulatory framework | Asian hub |
What Are Bitcoin's Transaction Statistics?
34. Bitcoin processes $15-20 billion in daily on-chain transactions
Bitcoin recorded over 243 million transactions in the first half of 2025, with noticeable spikes during inflation reports and central bank policy announcements.
35. 85% of Bitcoin transactions use SegWit
Segregated Witness (SegWit) adoption has reached 85% as of late 2025. This protocol upgrade reduces transaction sizes and fees while increasing network capacity.
36. Each Bitcoin transaction uses approximately 1,335 kWh of energy
This is equivalent to the energy consumption of an average US household for 46 days. However, Lightning Network transactions use a tiny fraction of this energy.
Summary
Bitcoin has evolved from an obscure digital experiment to a trillion-dollar asset class. With 95% of its supply already mined, an estimated 3-4 million coins lost forever, and growing institutional adoption through ETFs and corporate treasuries, Bitcoin's scarcity continues to drive its value proposition.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Supply | 21,000,000 BTC |
| Circulating Supply | 19,940,000 BTC |
| Estimated Lost | 3-4 million BTC |
| Market Cap | $1.74 trillion |
| All-Time High | $126,210 (Oct 2025) |
| Global Users | 500+ million |
| Bitcoin ATMs | ~37,000 |
| Mining Hashrate | ~976 EH/s |
| Next Halving | April 2028 |
Sources
- Statista - Bitcoin Circulating Supply
- Blockchain.com - Total Bitcoins
- CoinMarketCap - Bitcoin Market Data
- CoinGecko - Bitcoin Price Data
- River - Who Owns the Most Bitcoin
- CoinCodex - Satoshi Nakamoto Wallet
- Ledger - How Many Bitcoin Are Lost
- Statista - Bitcoin Energy Consumption
- CoinLaw - Mining Energy Statistics
- Swan Bitcoin - Halving Dates
- CoinLaw - Lightning Network Statistics
- CoinGate - Lightning Network Stats
- CoinLaw - Bitcoin Statistics 2025