The mysterious figure behind Bitcoin, known as Satoshi Nakamoto, may now hold a fortune that surpasses even tech moguls like Bill Gates. Onchain research suggests that Nakamoto’s Bitcoin holdings could be worth over $108 billion, a staggering sum that potentially places him among the richest individuals in the world.
According to Conor Grogan, a director at Coinbase, new findings indicate Nakamoto controls at least 1.096 million BTC. This estimate builds upon recent research from Arkham Intelligence, which identified additional wallet addresses that could be linked to Nakamoto. In a post dated February 5, Grogan stated, “In total, this research points to Satoshi owning 1.096M BTC, $108B worth, making them wealthier on paper than Bill Gates.”
At present, the former Microsoft CEO holds an estimated net worth of about $106 billion, ranking him as the world’s 16th richest person, according to Forbes. If the findings regarding Nakamoto’s Bitcoin holdings are accurate, it would mean the enigmatic Bitcoin creator now surpasses Gates in terms of wealth, securing the same spot in global rankings.
Could Kraken Hold the Key to Nakamoto’s Identity?
While Nakamoto’s wealth continues to grow, the question of his identity remains one of the greatest mysteries in cryptocurrency history. However, there may be a possibility that centralized exchange Kraken holds clues regarding his true identity. Grogan pointed out an interesting historical connection, Nakamoto’s last known transactions with an exchange took place via Cavirtex, a Canada-based crypto platform that Kraken later acquired in 2016.
Grogan speculated on the implications of this acquisition, suggesting that Kraken’s CEO, Jesse Powell, might possess information on Nakamoto’s identity, provided the exchange maintained any Know Your Customer data linked to the wallet in question. He remarked, “CaVirtEx was purchased by Kraken in 2016. As such, there is a chance that @jespow has information on the true identity behind Satoshi if they maintained any KYC information on this wallet.” However, he also offered a word of caution, advising Powell to delete such data if it exists.
Intriguingly, Nakamoto’s last known transactions on a centralized exchange reportedly occurred in 2014. If Cavirtex had enforced strict KYC protocols at the time, there might be a record connecting these transactions to a real-world identity.
The Elusive Nature of KYC in Bitcoin’s Early Days
The potential for tracing Nakamoto’s identity largely depends on whether Cavirtex implemented KYC procedures when Nakamoto was active. Back in Bitcoin’s early years, identity verification was not a common requirement for crypto exchanges. While Kraken holds the distinction of being one of the first platforms to introduce KYC measures as early as 2014, mandatory compliance for all users was not enforced until 2017 or 2018.
Given that Kraken completed its acquisition of Cavirtex in 2016, there remains uncertainty regarding whether the Canadian exchange had any KYC verification in place before that. If Cavirtex operated without such policies, then any records that could reveal Nakamoto’s true identity may simply not exist.
At present, Cointelegraph has contacted Kraken for potential insights into Nakamoto-linked wallets. The publication has also reached out to Arkham Intelligence for more details concerning the so-called “Patoshi pattern,” which has long guided Bitcoin analysts in their efforts to trace Nakamoto’s holdings.
The Enduring Enigma of Satoshi Nakamoto
Despite years of speculation, Nakamoto remains an elusive figure, and each new discovery adds another layer to the ongoing mystery. If the estimates of Nakamoto’s Bitcoin holdings are correct, then he – or they – now belong among the wealthiest individuals on the planet, even surpassing one of the most recognized names in technology, Bill Gates.
Yet, the true identity behind Bitcoin’s creator and whether it will ever be uncovered, remains shrouded in secrecy. Whether Kraken holds critical information or whether Nakamoto’s identity will forever remain anonymous, one thing is clear: the influence of Bitcoin’s creator lingers not just in digital wealth but in the lasting impact of his decentralized vision.
