Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin Wealth Drop: A $43 Billion Loss as BTC Plummets

Satoshi Nakamoto, the elusive creator of Bitcoin, has seen his fortune diminish by an estimated $43 billion following a 30% fall in Bitcoin's price.

Key Takeaways

Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin fortune has decreased by approximately $43 billion following a drop in Bitcoin prices.
His holdings fell from $138 billion in October to around $96 billion currently.
Satoshi's Bitcoin stash remains dormant and is not included in wealth rankings due to unresolved ownership issues and his unverified status.
Quantum computing poses potential risks to Bitcoin's security, leading to discussions about the future of Satoshi's coins.
The mystery surrounding Satoshi and his wealth continues to capture attention and debate within the crypto community.

The value of Nakamoto's 1.1 million Bitcoin, tracked through the Patoshi mining pattern, dropped from $138 billion in October to approximately $96 billion currently. This significant decline has pushed Satoshi from the 11th to around the 20th position among the world's richest individuals, now sitting just below Bill Gates.

What Caused the Bitcoin Price Crash and Its Impact on Satoshi's Holdings

According to Arkham Intelligence, a blockchain analytics firm, Satoshi's Bitcoin holdings are estimated through mining analysis and on-chain forensic studies.

The “Patoshi Pattern,” identified by Sergio Lerner, uncovers more than 22,000 early Bitcoin addresses that are believed to be controlled by one entity, thought to be Satoshi Nakamoto. These coins have remained untouched for over a decade, sparking considerable speculation.

As of October 6, 2025, when Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $126,296, Satoshi’s hoard was valued at $138.92 billion. However, the price of Bitcoin has since fallen over 30%, trading now at $87,390.

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Performance. Source: TradingView

With this recent decline, Satoshi's Bitcoin holdings have reduced to $96.129 billion, suggesting that approximately $42.79 billion has vanished within a matter of weeks.

If Forbes were to include Satoshi in its rankings of the world's wealthiest individuals, the Bitcoin creator would rank just below Bill Gates and above Françoise Bettencourt Meyers & family at the 20th position.

Satoshi's Place Among Richest People in the World. Satoshi’s Place Among Richest People in the World. Source: Forbes

Despite the enormity of Satoshi's holdings, Forbes and other wealth tracking outlets do not include the Bitcoin founder in their official billionaire lists. This is primarily due to the uncertainty surrounding Satoshi's legal status and the fact that these assets have remained dormant, leaving ownership questions unresolved.

“Forbes does not include Satoshi Nakamoto in our Billionaire rankings as we have not been able to verify whether he or she is an individual or a collective group,” the magazine stated.

Interestingly, despite their dormant state, Satoshi's coins are highly visible due to the transparency of blockchain technology.

Satoshi's Bitcoin Holdings Satoshi’s Bitcoin Holdings. Source: Arkham

Some experts argue that pseudonymous crypto wallets should be included in wealth rankings even with the anonymity of their ownership. However, the extended dormancy of these assets fuels speculation that this fortune could be lost, inaccessible, or deliberately abandoned, a rare situation among billionaires.

The Quantum Computing Threat and Satoshi's Future

Additionally, the emergence of quantum computing has reignited discussions regarding Satoshi’s future and potential identity. Experts warn that quantum computers could eventually break Bitcoin's early cryptographic protections, suggesting the need to freeze Satoshi’s coins or fork the network before a possible “Q-Day.” If such threats materialize, the individual in control of these coins may need to reveal themselves.

It is important to avoid causing panic about quantum timelines.

Running Shor's algorithm does not equate to successfully breaking a 256-bit ECC key. Implementing Shor's algorithm to factor a number is a significant feat but demands considerable scaling and engineering.

Nakamoto's mystery could capture global attention in 2026 with the film “Killing Satoshi,” which delves into the mystery and geopolitical dimensions of dormant Bitcoin wealth.

Until Satoshi’s Bitcoin is either moved or confirmed lost, this fortune will continue to symbolize Bitcoin's inception and its most profound secret. If Bitcoin were to soar to $320,000–$370,000, Satoshi could potentially become the world’s richest individual. For now, this fortune remains static for over 15 years: highly visible but untapped.