Strategic move: Why billionaires are interested in Bitcoin
Billionaires' choice
There are thousands of individuals worldwide whose net worth exceeds $1 billion. Many of these billionaires are intrigued by Bitcoin, with some even choosing to invest in it. But what draws their attention to this asset, and how do they plan to use it?
How many billionaires are there?
According to various sources, the number of dollar billionaires worldwide ranges from 2,700 to 3,300, depending on the methodology and time of the study. Forbes estimates there are 2,781 individuals whose wealth exceeds $1 billion.
World’s Richest People Ranking. Source: Forbes
The combined wealth of all billionaires today is $14.2 trillion, with two-thirds of them growing even richer over the past year. But which of these individuals own or are interested in Bitcoin?
Which billionaires own Bitcoin?
As of January 2025, at least 60 billionaires worldwide have invested in Bitcoin. These individuals predominantly include American businesspeople from the fintech and cryptocurrency industries, although there are also politicians and sports team owners among them.
Loading...
Let’s delve into the stories of some of these billionaire Bitcoin holders. What are their backgrounds, and what led them to the leading digital asset?
Elon Musk
Source: x.com/elonmusk
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk began showing interest in Bitcoin as early as 2020. In late December of that year, he mentioned Bitcoin on Twitter (now X) for the first time, asking MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor about BTC transaction sizes.
Loading...
A year later, Tesla announced that it had invested $1.5 billion in Bitcoin, triggering a sharp increase in BTC’s value. Although Musk later decided to sell part of the assets, Tesla still holds 9,720 BTC, equivalent to $900 million.
Despite Musk’s initial enthusiasm for Bitcoin, he later criticized it for its high energy consumption. As a result, his focus shifted to other cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin, although he hasn’t completely abandoned BTC holdings.
Mark Zuckerberg
Source: facebook.com/zuck
According to various sources, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg owns Bitcoin, though he hasn’t disclosed the exact amount. However, his interest in the leading cryptocurrency is well-documented. In 2021, Zuckerberg posted a photo of his goats, one of which he named “Bitcoin.”
Source: facebook.com/zuck
Since then, Meta has been actively promoting projects related to digital assets. Zuckerberg attempted to launch his own cryptocurrency, Diem (formerly Libra), and integrate NFTs and blockchain technology into Instagram and Facebook. However, the question of how much Bitcoin Zuckerberg personally owns remains unanswered.
Michael Dell
Source: x.com/MichaelDell
Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, is known for his interest in cutting-edge technologies. His company was among the first to accept Bitcoin as a payment method back in 2014.
Although Dell doesn’t disclose his personal investment strategy, he has shown active interest in BTC on social media. In the summer of 2024, he posted on X: “Scarcity creates value.” MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor responded, emphasizing Bitcoin as “digital scarcity.” Dell liked and retweeted the comment.
Loading...
Previously, Dell described Bitcoin as “something exciting” and praised the asset extensively. However, he hasn’t shared whether he personally owns Bitcoin.
Ray Dalio
Source: x.com/RayDalio
Ray Dalio, founder of the global hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, is known for his “traditional” approach to investments. Despite this, Dalio has shown increasing interest in Bitcoin in recent years. Initially a skeptic, criticizing the cryptocurrency for its volatility, he later changed his stance, acknowledging Bitcoin as a store of value amid inflation and economic instability.
Loading...
In his statements, Dalio has repeatedly emphasized that he sees Bitcoin as “digital gold.” He also admitted to owning a small amount of Bitcoin and promised to invest more in the future, stating, “I want to stay away from debt-based assets like bonds and hold hard money like gold and Bitcoin.”
Ricardo Salinas
Source: x.com/RicardoBSalinas
One of Mexico’s wealthiest individuals and founder of Grupo Salinas, Ricardo Salinas Pliego, is perhaps one of the most outspoken Bitcoin advocates among billionaires. Salinas has publicly admitted to owning BTC and has recommended that investors consider the leading cryptocurrency as a hedge against inflation.
Loading...
He argues that Bitcoin surpasses fiat currencies due to its decentralization, limited supply, and ability to preserve purchasing power in the long term. Salinas openly criticizes central banks for uncontrolled money issuance and calls Bitcoin “the digital gold of a new generation.”
Conclusion
Bitcoin is steadily gaining recognition among the world’s wealthiest individuals. Their interest in the leading digital asset underscores its growing role as a means of preserving and diversifying wealth. While many prefer not to disclose their BTC investments, this only highlights the strategic importance of such assets.
