Daniel Walker
A new wealth report by Henley & Partners, in partnership with New World Wealth, shows that the global crypto industry has generated 36 billionaires and 241,700 millionaires, representing a market value of more than $3.3 trillion โ a 45% increase year-over-year.
Among the billionaires, 17 made their fortunes from Bitcoin, which alone grew by 55% in the past year, fueling what the report calls a โhistoric wealth boom.โ
Roughly 60% of all crypto millionaires are Bitcoin holders, while around 450 individuals have reached centimillionaire status with holdings exceeding $100 million. Overall, the number of crypto millionaires surged 40% year-over-year, with Bitcoin millionaires growing by 70%.
Henley & Partners highlighted that this expansion coincides with a landmark year for institutional adoption, marked by the first-ever cryptocurrency initiatives introduced by a sitting U.S. President and First Lady.
Putting the Numbers in Perspective
Despite these gains, the 241,700 crypto millionaires account for only 0.4% of the estimated 60 million millionaires worldwide, according to UBSโs global wealth survey.
The figures are based on tracking 150,000+ high-net-worth individuals, alongside on-chain data and public exchange information collected by New World Wealth as of June. No individual names were disclosed.
The study also estimates that 590 million people globally now own cryptocurrency, representing 7.4% of the worldโs population, up 5% from last year. Of these, 295 million are Bitcoin holders, marking a 7% year-over-year increase.
Philosophical Divide: Fiat vs Bitcoin
JAN3 CEO Samson Mow stressed that the implications of this wealth shift go far beyond economics.
โFiat currency is destined for infinite supply. Bitcoin, by contrast, is capped at 21 million,โ Mow explained. He called this paradox between endless money printing and fixed supply the defining financial question of our time, as governments grapple with wealth that exists outside traditional monetary control.
Global Leaders in Crypto Adoption
The report also unveils a Crypto Adoption Index, ranking nations on infrastructure, public adoption, regulation, taxation, and innovation. Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S. lead the rankings, offering some of the most favorable environments for crypto expansion.
-
U.S. ranks highest for public adoption
-
Hong Kong takes the lead in infrastructure
-
Singapore tops for innovation
-
Australia and Singapore jointly lead in regulatory support
-
Monaco and the UAE provide the most tax-friendly environments
These same countries also dominate Henley & Partnersโ rankings for investment migration programs, offering wealthy crypto investors alternative residence and citizenship opportunities.
The Challenge for Governments and Finance
According to Dominic Volek, Group Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, the rise of crypto millionaires and billionaires is forcing governments and financial systems to rethink wealth management.
โIn 2024, around $14.4 trillion in wealth crossed borders,โ Volek noted. โBut unlike traditional finance, cryptocurrency has no home address. For centuries, wealth storage was tied to geography. Today, with nothing more than a 12-word seed phrase, someone can move a billion dollars in Bitcoin instantly โ from Zurich to Zhengzhou.โ
