2025 has so far proven to be a pivotal year in the history of cryptocurrency. Due to a spate of economic, political, and regulatory changes that first took shape last year, Bitcoin has become a US reserve asset.
This is just the latest sign of how far Bitcoin has come. Seventeen years ago, Bitcoin was merely the idea of Satoshi Nakamoto, a still unidentified Japanese man in his early 30s. Today, as Nakamoto reaches his supposed 50th birthday, Bitcoin is in the midst of becoming a widely held asset by financial institutions and major governments around the world.
Granted, Bitcoin isn’t exactly in rally mode at this very moment. Rates for cryptocurrency can be found on websites such as Binance. Checking out the latest Bitcoin prices there, we can see how other macro developments are weighing on the original cryptocurrency right now.
Even so, as Nakamoto possibly heads towards the upward bounds of being middle-aged, on the way to his golden years, perhaps Bitcoin remains on the path to a similar style of maturity.
Nakamoto: Still a Mystery After All These Years
It’s a wonder how, in this interconnected world, the secret of Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity has yet to be revealed. Sure, there has been speculation as to who wrote the 2008 white paper laying out the groundwork for the creation of Bitcoin and the blockchain.
However, none of those “supposed Satoshis” have ever been positively identified as being the man (or woman) behind the pseudonym. Yet while the mystery may never be solved, Nakamoto, whoever they are, has certainly cemented a legacy that could live on for decades to come.
Much like other important figures of history, Nakamoto, whether or not alive, or even one individual, has had statues erected in his honor, including one in Lugano, Switzerland, unveiled late last year. Statues and other honors aside, let’s not forget that Nakamoto is still sitting on a substantial Bitcoin fortune.
Wallet addresses associated with Nakamoto continue to hold nearly 1 million Bitcoin. Back in February, Nakamoto’s BTC stash was worth over $100 billion. Even as prices have fallen back since then, this treasure trove of crypto would put Nakamoto, if he is one individual, within the top 25 richest people in the world.
Where Bitcoin Could be When Nakamoto Hits the Next Few Age Milestones
Given how Japan has one of the world’s highest life expectancies, don’t rule out the possibility of Nakamoto, if he actually is a Japanese man, reaching many more age milestones in the decades ahead.
While the average life expectancy of a Japanese man is around 82 years, who knows. Nakamoto could end up being one of the country’s many centenarians, if he reaches his 100th birthday on April 5, 2075.
Well before then, however, if Nakamoto makes it to 75 years old, or even just 60 years old, by then Bitcoin could have experienced even greater levels of institutional and governmental adoption. In spite of, or perhaps even because of, recent tariff-related uncertainties, further mainstream adoption of BTC could have a tremendous positive impact on its market price.
Last year, a research note from analysts at VanEck argued that, as a result of its adoption as a global reserve asset and medium of exchange, the price of 1 Bitcoin could hit levels nearing $3 million by 2050, the year Nakamoto turns 75.
A Trillion Dollar Legacy
Irrespective of Nakamoto staying an enigma, or being ultimately revealed, while they may have to make some tweaks to the statues and other memorials, there’s one thing an unmasking would not change: the Bitcoin creator’s trillion dollar legacy.
Yes, there have been individuals behind the formation of what have ultimately become trillion dollar businesses. However, can you name anyone who can claim to be the creator of an entire asset class, especially one that went from obscurity to mainstream respectability so quickly.
As Bitcoin remains poised to experience further mainstream adoption, perhaps to the point of becoming a reserve asset on par with gold and the U.S. Dollar, Satoshi Nakamoto could prove to be an even more pivotal figure in global financial history.
