The meteoric rise of Bitcoin (BTC) in 2024 didn’t just break price records; it also minted new millionaires at an astonishing rate. With the cryptocurrency surpassing the $100,000 mark in December, an average of 154 wallets holding over $1 million in BTC were created daily, Finbold reported.

Bitcoin’s journey in 2024 was defined by significant milestones. Starting the year with momentum from late 2023, BTC first shattered the $73,000 all-time high (ATH) by mid-year before surpassing $100,000 in December.

This surge not only rewarded early adopters but also brought the total number of millionaire addresses to over 153,000, an impressive 58.21% increase from the previous year, according to data from BitInfoCharts.

According to the research, by the end of 2024, approximately 56,325 new Bitcoin wallets held assets worth over $1 million. This included 48,738 addresses valued between $1 million and $10 million, alongside 7,587 addresses exceeding $10 million.

New Bitcoin Wallets

However, the overall increase in Bitcoin-holding addresses was more moderate, reportedly growing by 12%, adding nearly 10 million new wallets across all value tiers.

The largest growth occurred among mid-tier holders, with wallets holding $100 to $999.99, increasing by 3.3 million. Similarly, addresses holding $1,000 to $9,999.99 rose by 2.6 million. These figures highlight the growing participation of retail investors alongside high-net-worth individuals.

Interestingly, 2024’s millionaire wallet growth lagged behind 2023, which saw nearly 70,000 such wallets added, a 22% higher increase. This discrepancy highlighted 2023’s stronger relative price gains and investor enthusiasm as BTC rallied 153% that year, compared to 121% in 2024.

The rise in Bitcoin millionaire wallets doesn’t equate directly to new individuals entering the market. Factors such as shared wallets, multi-address holdings, and alternative investment strategies diluted the effect of BTC’s rally.

The approval of multiple spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in early 2024 offered institutional and retail investors new ways to gain exposure without holding BTC directly.

Factors Driving Growth

Besides this, Donald Trump’s re-election in November, which reportedly added 11,000 new Bitcoin millionaire wallets, spurred optimism for a blockchain -friendly policy environment.

Meanwhile, vibrant activity in altcoin and meme coin markets may have siphoned off some potential Bitcoin investors. Many traders pursued smaller, high-growth cryptocurrencies, limiting Bitcoin’s new address growth despite its record-breaking performance.

With Bitcoin achieving unprecedented highs and a new wave of adoption, 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for the cryptocurrency. Whether BTC maintains its dominant position or faces intensified competition from altcoins, its 2024 performance has solidified its role as a key asset in the global financial landscape.