Bitcoin Surge Temporarily Makes Nakamoto Richer Than Gates

Satoshi Nakamoto, the enigmatic creator of Bitcoin, briefly surpassed Bill Gates in net worth as the price of Bitcoin surged. This unexpected event was driven by optimism around a potential U.S.–China trade deal, which helped push Bitcoin’s price higher. Nakamoto’s wallet, believed to hold 1.1 million BTC, reached an estimated value of $113.8 billion, according to blockchain analytics firm Arkham. This briefly made Nakamoto the 12th richest person in the world, surpassing Gates, whose fortune stood at $112.9 billion, based on Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires list.

However, the lead did not last long. The volatile nature of the crypto market quickly brought Nakamoto’s estimated net worth back down. As of May 31, 2025, Nakamoto’s net worth was around $114 billion, while Gates’ net worth had risen to $166.3 billion, widening the gap between the two. This fluctuation highlights the unpredictable nature of the crypto market and the significant impact that price movements can have on the wealth of those holding large amounts of Bitcoin.

The identity of Satoshi Nakamoto remains one of the biggest unanswered questions in the crypto world. Since Bitcoin launched in 2009, there have been numerous speculations about who Nakamoto might be. Some of the names that have been suggested include Nick Szabo, Len Sassaman, and Peter Todd. In 2024, a documentary titled Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery pointed the finger at Peter Todd, but he quickly denied any connection. This only added to the legend of Satoshi, a billionaire who might not even know they are currently one of the wealthiest people alive.

Topping Elon Musk, who currently has a net worth of $422.7 billion, would be a much bigger jump for Nakamoto. For Nakamoto to match Musk, Bitcoin would need to skyrocket to $406,000 per coin. While this may sound far-fetched, the crypto world is known for its unpredictability, and this recent event proved that anything is possible. The back-and-forth between Nakamoto and Gates shows just how unpredictable crypto can be. If Bitcoin rallies again, Nakamoto could easily reclaim the edge, especially with Gates’ wealth holding steady. As the market keeps moving, the crypto world is watching closely, because in this game, one price spike could change everything.