Bitcoin News Today: Only 1 Million Hold 1 Bitcoin as Institutional Adoption Rises

Only 1 million wallet addresses globally hold at least 1 Bitcoin, according to a recent study by CoinGecko. This figure has remained relatively stagnant since 2018, highlighting the exclusivity of Bitcoin ownership [1]. Despite the growing interest and adoption of cryptocurrencies, the number of individuals who have amassed at least one whole Bitcoin remains relatively small. This trend underscores the high volatility and long-term investment nature of Bitcoin, as well as the financial barriers that prevent broader participation in owning even a single unit of the cryptocurrency [1].

Blockchain analytics firm Glassnode reported that first-time buyers increased their holdings by roughly 50,000 BTC over the past week, pushing total supply owned by newcomers to nearly 5 million coins [1]. Yet, despite this inflow, acquiring a whole Bitcoin has rarely been more difficult. Most of the 1 million "whole coiners" acquired their Bitcoin in the early days, when the asset traded near $1,000 [1]. The surge in institutional adoption since 2024 has only intensified the challenge, concentrating more coins in fewer hands [1].

Taking into account lost keys, exchange reserves, and institutional holdings, analysts estimate fewer than 4 million BTC are realistically available to the public [1]. That scarcity turns owning a full Bitcoin into a milestone of status rather than necessity, especially as price models predict single coins could eventually be worth $500,000 to $1 million [1]. At those levels, even 0.1 BTC could represent significant wealth.

Industry voices have echoed this idea. Binance’s former CEO Changpeng Zhao once argued that 0.1 BTC could become the new “American Dream,” surpassing traditional assets like real estate in value [1]. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s volatility has quietly been trending lower, dropping to its lowest point in five years. Analysts note it is now less volatile than major tech stocks such as Nvidia, a sign of maturity that is making the asset more attractive to large institutions—even if retail investors miss the thrill of wild price swings [1].

Bitcoin has historically been a powerful wealth generator. Over the last decade, the price of Bitcoin has surged by 51,910%, transforming many early investors into millionaires and significantly increasing the net worth of others [2]. The substantial gains over this period have cemented Bitcoin’s reputation as a high-risk, high-reward investment. However, the question remains whether Bitcoin can continue to deliver such impressive returns in the future.

Looking ahead, forecasts suggest a potentially explosive growth in Bitcoin's value. Analysts predict that Bitcoin could reach $500,000 in the next five years [3]. This projection is based on Bitcoin's limited supply—capped at 21 million units—and the fact that the rate of new supply growth is predefined, reducing inflationary pressures over time [4]. The scarcity of Bitcoin, combined with increasing institutional adoption and growing demand, supports the argument for its long-term value appreciation.

Despite the potential for high returns, many investors are cautious about holding even a single Bitcoin. Some speculate that owning less than one Bitcoin could still be sufficient for financial independence, depending on individual circumstances and exit strategies [5]. However, the volatility of Bitcoin means that such predictions are speculative and subject to market fluctuations.

The broader investment landscape also highlights the competition between Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. For instance, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor team recently identified what they believe are the top 10 stocks for investors, and Ethereum was not among them [6]. This suggests that while Ethereum remains a significant player in the crypto space, it may not hold the same investment appeal as Bitcoin for certain investors.

Source: [1] Only 1 Million People Hold 1 Bitcoin – Will You Ever Join Them? (https://coindoo.com/only-1-million-people-hold-1-bitcoin-will-you-ever-join-them/)

[2] Is Bitcoin Still a Millionaire Maker? (http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/savingandinvesting/is-bitcoin-still-a-millionaire-maker/ar-AA1KOSdz?apiversion=v2&batchservertelemetry=1&domshim=1&noservercache=1&noservertelemetry=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1)

[3] Prediction: Bitcoin Will Be Worth $500,000 in 5 Years (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/markets-news/Motley%20Fool/34238815/prediction-bitcoin-will-be-worth-500-000-in-5-years/)

[4] 1 Reason Why Now Is the Time to Buy Bitcoin (BTC) (https://www.aol.com/1-reason-why-now-time-163100332.html)

[5] Do you think owning just 1 Bitcoin in the 2030s could be ... (https://www.reddit.com/r/CryptoMarkets/comments/1muxmci/do_you_think_owning-just-1_bitcoin-in-the-2030s/)

[6] One of the Best Cryptocurrencies to Buy With $100 Right Now (https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/one-best-cryptocurrencies-buy-100-right-now)