Bitcoin ownership has increasingly spread across the globe, with several countries holding significant amounts of the digital currency. As of 2024, the United States leads in governmental Bitcoin holdings, possessing approximately 215,000 BTC primarily obtained through law enforcement seizures since 2020​​. China follows closely with around 190,000 BTC, largely accumulated through the confiscation of assets from the PlusToken Ponzi scheme​.

El Salvador, a notable early adopter, holds 5,690 BTC. This initiative is part of President Nayib Bukele’s broader strategy to integrate Bitcoin into the country’s economy and offer expedited citizenship for BTC donations​. Ukraine also maintains a significant stash of 46,351 BTC, using it to bolster economic stability amid ongoing geopolitical tensions​.

Other countries with notable Bitcoin holdings include the United Kingdom, with 61,000 BTC, and Germany, which holds 50,000 BTC, both primarily acquired through legal seizures​​. Smaller but still substantial holdings are reported in nations like Finland and Georgia, which have 90 BTC and 66 BTC respectively​.

Bitcoin’s ownership is not limited to government holdings. Countries like India and Nigeria are seeing a surge in individual Bitcoin ownership, with millions of people investing in the digital currency. In India, about 7.35% of the population owns Bitcoin, while Nigeria boasts a 7.6% ownership rate among its citizens​.

Despite restrictive regulations, countries like Russia and China have found ways to engage with Bitcoin, with significant segments of their populations holding and trading the cryptocurrency. In Russia, approximately 10.1% of the population owns Bitcoin, underscoring its role as a financial tool amidst economic sanctions​.

The trend of Bitcoin adoption is expected to continue growing, with more countries likely to acquire and integrate Bitcoin into their financial systems as global acceptance of cryptocurrency expands​​.

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