When Bitcoin is having a slow growth period, it is nice to remind ourselves of its success stories. After all, the cryptocurrency has increased its value by 260% in the past year. If you look at Bitcoins lifetime gains, the increase in value is so large that it is sometimes hard to fathom.
Bitcoin was invented as a way to provide financial freedom for all, not just wealthy elites. It levels the playing field and makes money more equitable through decentralization. With Bitcoin, anyone has the potential to make millions of dollars. Many have lifted themselves out of the middle and lower classes simply by buying or being given bitcoin at the right time.
I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of regular folks who struck it rich with Bitcoin, From the kid who became a millionaire before finishing high school to the guy who used his crypto profits to buy a Bentley – these stories are nothing short of incredible
After digging through countless Bitcoin success stories, I’ve compiled the most inspiring examples of people who got rich off Bitcoin. These aren’t just tales of luck – they’re stories of vision, patience, and sometimes, pure audacity Let’s dive in!
1. The Accidental Bitcoin Millionaire: Javed Khan
Javed Khan never actually meant to invest in Bitcoin. In 2018, when Bitcoin was hovering around $3,000, he was simply using it to transfer money because it was easier than traditional banking.
But something interesting happened – whenever Javed left Bitcoin sitting in his wallet, the price went up. He spotted an opportunity and began a simple strategy:
- Buy Bitcoin when prices fell
- Buy more when nobody was talking about it
- Only invest money he could afford to lose
By 2020, his accidental investment had grown so much that he cashed in some profits and bought himself a Bentley.
“I sent a video from the showroom to my mum and she cried she was really proud” Javed recalled.
2. The Anonymous World Traveler: “Mr. Smith”
After finishing college in 2008, “Mr. Smith” (not his real name) began working at a typical large tech company in Silicon Valley. In 2010, he decided to invest $3,000 in this new thing called Bitcoin.
At that time, Bitcoin was worth just 15 cents each, meaning he acquired around 20,000 Bitcoin. “I knew from the very start that I was playing the long game. I wanted to see how high it could go,” he explained.
Three years later, when Bitcoin started making headlines, he cashed out 4,000 coins as the price shot up from $350 to $800, netting him about $2.3 million. His response? “I quit my job and left on a round-the-world trip.”
Today, his net worth is estimated somewhere between $100 million and $1 billion. He lives a life of luxury, flying first class between global hotspots like Singapore, Monaco, Zurich, and Hong Kong.
His girlfriend noted, “He’s constantly talking about Bitcoin. If he starts talking about it, he’ll never stop. Ever.”
3. The Homeowner: Daniel Crocker
Not everyone who got rich from Bitcoin bought mansions and sports cars. In 2012, Daniel Crocker was just completing an apprenticeship at an IT company when lunchtime conversations about side hustles led him to invest a small amount in Bitcoin.
He held onto those coins for 8 years as their value grew. Last year, he sold enough to pay for half the deposit on his house.
“I do know people who have gone in deep, but I think I’ve been lucky enough already,” Daniel said, showing remarkable restraint compared to some Bitcoin millionaires.
4. The Crypto Evangelist: Jeremy Gardner
Jeremy Gardner fell in love with Bitcoin when he realized its global potential – anyone with an internet connection could send money to anyone else, anywhere.
After buying Bitcoin in 2013, Jeremy:
- Founded The Blockchain Education Network (a nonprofit)
- Launched Augur (a decentralized prediction market)
- Shared a three-story house in San Francisco known as the ‘Crypto-Castle’ with other crypto millionaires
“By dedicating my life to crypto assets and blockchain technology, I’ve made more money than I would have ever expected to make in my entire life — by a long shot,” Gardner admitted.
He added, “We’ve been told that it’s going to die so many times. And yet here it is, stronger than ever. I think there’s a certain sense of vindication if you were investing in this technology and people were calling you stupid for a long time.”
5. The Patient Retirement Planner: Heather Delaney
Not everyone in the Bitcoin world is looking for overnight wealth. Heather Delaney represents a growing number of people who view Bitcoin as part of their long-term financial planning.
“I put in £5 at the very beginning and I’ve built it slowly and steadily over time,” she explained. Despite already seeing a 500% return on her investment, Heather isn’t cashing out.
“I know loads of people who have done exciting things with their investments, but for me, it’s part of my pension plan.”
6. The McDonald’s Regret: Kane Ellis
Australian entrepreneur Kane Ellis has a Bitcoin story that’s part success, part cautionary tale. Born in South Australia, Kane started mining Bitcoin in 2010 when it cost only $1.60 per coin.
His biggest regret? “In 2011 or so I cashed out 2-4 Bitcoins for a McDonald’s meal.”
That burger, fries, and coke could be worth six figures in today’s terms! Fortunately, that was only a small portion of his holdings. A few years later, he sold another small portion of his Bitcoin to buy something slightly more substantial – a bright yellow $200,000 Maserati.
7. The Smiling Retiree: Terry Proud
In mid-2017, when Bitcoin was trading around $3,000, retiree Terry Proud made a bold move. He sold a portion of his superannuation investments to buy cryptocurrencies through his Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF).
When interviewed by Nine News, reporters noted he “can’t wipe the smile off his face.” Terry represents a growing trend of older Australians who are diversifying their retirement portfolios with cryptocurrency investments.
8. The Trading Desk Billionaires: Su Zhu and Kyle Davies
In 2012, Su Zhu and his high school friend Kyle Davies launched Three Arrows Capital from their apartment kitchen table. Using experience from their previous roles as traders at Credit Suisse, they quickly began turning profits in crypto.
Their journey wasn’t without struggles – at one point, they had to contact everyone they knew for emergency loans. But they quickly recovered and grew into one of the largest cryptocurrency trading funds globally.
Today, they also run DeFiance Capital, which invests in decentralized finance businesses that they expect to “eat traditional finance over the next decade.”
Su Zhu’s advice? “If you don’t understand crypto and refuse to learn, it’s gonna be a tough century for you.”
9. The Holiday Maker: James Saye
Not all Bitcoin success stories involve millions. In 2017, technology consultant James Saye nervously invested about £500 in Bitcoin. As the value increased by 500%, he cashed out £2,500.
What did he do with his profits? He took a holiday to Iceland.
“Iceland is lovely, but it’s expensive,” he noted, grateful for the extra cash from his Bitcoin investment. Wisely, he bought back in after prices dropped in 2018.
10. The Apartment Owner: Kristoffer Koch
Norwegian student Kristoffer Koch was writing his master’s thesis on encryption technology in 2009 when he came across Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin whitepaper. His background helped him recognize the potential impact of this new technology.
He spent just $26.60 to buy 5,000 bitcoins (yes, you read that right). His partner was skeptical about spending “real money” on “fake money.”
Fast-forward to 2013, and Kristoffer discovered he was nearly a millionaire. He sold 1,000 of his bitcoins to buy an apartment. If he still holds the other 4,000, he’s worth hundreds of millions today.
His girlfriend’s attitude has certainly changed. She now “says that I should be allowed to buy the things I want.”
11. The All-In Engineer: Kingsley Advani
Some people dip their toes into Bitcoin investment, but software engineer Kingsley Advani went all in. In mid-2017, right before the massive bull run, he:
- Emptied his bank account
- Sold everything he owned (including his laptop)
- Purchased $34,000 worth of Bitcoin
Months later, he was a millionaire.
Today, Kingsley travels between San Francisco, New York, and London, working as an advisor to cryptocurrency startups. “I think at no point in human history have people in their twenties had such an opportunity to invest in such high-growth assets,” he said.
He views cryptocurrency as “like a rebellion to traditional finance.”
12. The Teenage Millionaire: Erik Finman
Perhaps the most incredible Bitcoin success story belongs to Erik Finman. In 2011, when Erik was just 12 years old, he took $1,000 his grandma had given him and invested it in Bitcoin, which was worth around $10 at the time.
He discovered Bitcoin at a protest in Washington DC, where he spotted someone wearing a Bitcoin t-shirt. When he asked his brother about it, his brother said, “It’s going to end Wall Street, bro.”
Erik began researching Bitcoin and seeing its potential. Meanwhile, he was struggling in high school. “I had one teacher tell me, yeah, drop out, work at McDonald’s since I’ll never amount to anything more in life,” he recalled.
So he made a bet with his parents: if he made a million dollars by age 18, he wouldn’t have to go to college.
He used his early Bitcoin profits to start an education company, Botangle, which he later sold for 300 more bitcoins. When Bitcoin crossed $2,700, he officially became a millionaire at age 17, winning the bet with his parents.
Instead of college, Erik traveled the world, visiting Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Sydney, and many other cities. Today, he has a net worth in the 8 figures, invests in crypto startups, and even helped introduce the Crypto-Currency Act of 2020 as a citizen advocate.
His first splurge? An Audi R8, naturally.
Could You Be Next?
These 12 stories show how Bitcoin has created wealth in ways that would’ve been impossible with traditional investments. From students and apprentices to retirees and software engineers, people from all walks of life have found financial freedom through cryptocurrency.
The key lessons from these success stories seem to be:
- Start small if you need to (like Heather with her £5)
- Have patience (like Daniel who held for 8 years)
- Recognize opportunity (like Javed who noticed price patterns)
- Don’t invest what you can’t afford to lose
- Don’t spend all your Bitcoin on McDonald’s (sorry, Kane!)
While we can’t go back to 2010 and buy Bitcoin at 15 cents, new opportunities in cryptocurrency emerge all the time. The question is: will you be ready to recognize them?
As Su Zhu warned, “If you don’t understand crypto and refuse to learn, it’s gonna be a tough century for you.”
What’s your Bitcoin story going to be?
Who are Bitcoin Millionaires?
Lets start with perhaps the most famous Bitcoin millionaires; the Winklevoss Twins. If you have seen the Social Network, the 2010 biographical drama about Facebook, youve heard of the Winklevoss twins; Cameron and Tyler. They are known for their lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg as they claim that he stole their idea when he created Facebook. That lawsuit ended in a $65 million settlement.
In 2012, the Winklevoss twins used that settlement money to heavily invest in Bitcoin when the crypto was valued at $8 per coin. Rumor has it that they own 1% of bitcoin in circulation. If that is true, then their bitcoin wallet is worth more than $5.95 billion today.
In the crypto space, the twins are also known for building the crypto exchange Gemini, the first regulated exchange for cryptocurrency. Their careers have focused on making cryptocurrency more accessible and creating an inviting ecosystem for institutional investors.
Erik Finman is the self-proclaimed youngest Bitcoin millionaire. In 2011, when he was just 12 years old, he was given $1,000 by his grandmother, which he used entirely to buy BTC. In 2017, Finnman became a millionaire at the age of 18. Today, it is reported that he has more than 431 bitcoins, valued at more than $13.7 million.
Finman, who dropped out of high school when he was 15, became an investor in Metal, a Silicon Valley crypto startup with its own coin (MTL) and accompanying crypto-wallet.
Alan Glanse first bought Bitcoin while he was working on Wall Street. In 2012, a colleague of his that desperately needed money sold him 100 BTC. After that, he forgot about his coins until bitcoins massive price increases in 2017. After Bitcoins second halving event, which occurred that year, he became an instant millionaire. Today, 100 BTC is worth $3.2 million.
Glanse is now the CEO of JuicyFields, a cannabis company based in Berlin that connects investors with medicinal cannabis companies in need of financing.
John Ratcliff, a video game developer from Colorado, first received bitcoin in 2012. At the time, one BTC was worth $13. When he looked again in 2013, he found that it had increased to $72. After cashing out his original Bitcoin to take his wife to dinner, he bought 150 more coins for $15,000.
Now, those coins are worth $4.8 million. Ratcliff recently used 6 of those coins to buy a new Tesla Roadster and is overseeing the construction of a new $1.4 million dream house. Ratcliff has been generous with his riches; purchasing a home for his nephew, paying off his childrens student loans, and setting aside some crypto money for charity.
You may have seen the recent headlines about the guy who cant remember the password to the hard drive that stores 7,002 BTC, worth more than $224 million. That guy is Stefan Thomas, a German-born programmer living in San Francisco.
In 2011, Thomas was given 7,002 bitcoins for making a video explaining how Bitcoin works. Around the same time, he lost the digital keys to his wallet. After trying eight of his usual password combinations, Thomas has only two more tries before the harddrive, called IronKey, wipes clean. He has been racking his brain trying to figure out how to re-access the hard drive, even requesting the publics help.
However, it is not a sad ending for Mr. Thomas. He has additional BTC stored in a wallet he remembers the password for and has “more riches than he knows what to do with.”
Stefan Thomass story shows how important it is to be very careful with your crypto wallet. To learn some best practices, check out our article on Crypto Wallets and our Beginners Guide to Buying Bitcoin.
How many bitcoins does it take to be a millionaire?
Since its inception in 2009, Bitcoin has made many millionaires. In fact, there are 76,326 wallets with more than one million dollars worth of BTC in the world, according to data from BitInfoCharts.
Currently, the value of one BTC is sitting around $32,000. Meaning, that to be a bitcoin millionaire, you must have around 30 BTC in your wallet.
Who are the Bitcoin millionaires of the world? The majority of BTC millionaires have not shared their identity with the public – which makes sense. But, there are a few who have. Today we are looking at five (okay, six) individuals who have made millions of dollars from BTC.
Cape Coral man becomes millionaire with Bitcoin
FAQ
Who is the richest person from Bitcoin?
The richest person with a fortune derived from Bitcoin is its mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, with a net worth estimated at over $128 billion from early mining. While their identity is unknown, Nakamoto’s holdings are significantly larger than other prominent figures, such as Changpeng Zhao (founder of Binance, estimated worth $33 billion as of June 2024) and Brian Armstrong (founder of Coinbase, estimated worth $11.4 billion as of June 2024).
Who has made the most money off of Bitcoin?
Assuming he is an individual person, Nakamoto’s bitcoin holdings make him one of the world’s wealthiest people. His wallet, which has been untouched since 2010, holds an estimated 1.1 million bitcoins. At their July 14, 2025 price of over $123,000 each, Nakamoto’s bitcoins were worth nearly $135 billion.
Who owns 90% of Bitcoin today?
As of March 2023, the top 1% of Bitcoin addresses hold over 90% of the total Bitcoin supply, according to Bitinfocharts.
Who is the kid who got rich from Bitcoin?
Of course, Finman is biased: The teen crypto phenom used $1,000 his grandmother gave him when he was 12 years old to buy his first bitcoin when the little-known virtual currency was just $12 a token. By age 18, Finman had become a millionaire. (See more: Who is Erik Finman, the Bitcoin Millionaire Teenager?)