Bitcoin Founder Satoshi Nakamoto Loses $20 Billion in 10 Days as Market Faces Historic Liquidations
Date: 2025-10-21
Bitcoin’s anonymous founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, has lost $20 billion in value within ten days. His estimated net worth dropped from $136 billion to $117 billion as Bitcoin fell to $103,856 on Friday, according to data from Arkham Intelligence. Despite the sharp decline, Nakamoto remains among the wealthiest individuals in the world, ranking above Alice Walton and Michael Bloomberg.
Arkham Intelligence confirms that Satoshi’s wallets still contain over 1 million Bitcoin, worth around $117.5 billion at current market prices. These coins have never been moved, raising ongoing speculation that Nakamoto either lost access to the private keys or is no longer alive. Blockchain data shows zero activity from Satoshi-linked addresses since Bitcoin’s early mining era in 2009.
Market Crash and Global Tensions
The recent market downturn coincides with rising geopolitical friction between the United States and China. Markets reacted sharply after President Trump announced 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports, including rare earth minerals and technology products. Investors moved out of high-risk assets, sending Bitcoin and altcoins into a rapid sell-off.
On October 8, the crypto market experienced one of its worst days in history. Coinglass data shows more than $19.3 billion in leveraged positions were liquidated within 24 hours. Long positions made up $711 million of the losses, while shorts accounted for $308 million. Analysts described the event as the largest single-day liquidation in crypto history.
During the sell-off, several altcoins lost up to 99% of their value, while Bitcoin managed to stabilize near the $100,000 mark. Traders attribute the relative stability to Bitcoin’s strong long-term holders and institutional presence.
Panic Selling and Technical Correction
The steep weekend drop triggered panic across social media platforms, driving retail investors to sell in a rush. Trading volumes thinned out, adding pressure on already weak prices. Yet, some institutional traders used the panic to close profitable short positions and reload for the next swing.
According to The Kobeissi Letter, the correction is technical, not structural. The report stated: “We believe this crash was caused by a combination of sudden technical triggers. It does not reflect deeper weaknesses. A trade deal between the U.S. and China remains likely, and crypto’s fundamentals remain intact.”
Analysts pointed out that a correction had been overdue following Bitcoin’s surge to a record high above $126,000 earlier this month. The pullback, they say, allows the market to reset before another potential rally.
Whales Profit Amid the Chaos
While retail investors took losses, some large holders capitalized on the volatility. Arkham Intelligence data revealed that one trader earned $192 million from shorting Bitcoin before the crash. The same trader has reportedly opened a new $163 million short position on the DeFi exchange Hyperliquid, signaling expectations of further downside movement.
On-chain data shows another whale holding a $209 million leveraged short, underscoring sustained bearish sentiment among large traders. Analysts warn that aggressive leverage could amplify volatility in the coming weeks, especially as macroeconomic uncertainty persists.
Betting on Satoshi
The market chaos also spilled over into prediction platforms. On Polymarket, the popular crypto betting site, the contract “Will Satoshi move any Bitcoin in 2025?” plunged from 15% to 6% on October 15. The sudden move caused heavy losses for speculators.
One user, known as “1897sadhjns444dpoasdp,” reportedly lost over $11,000 after betting $13,000 on “Yes” at ten cents per share. Another trader, “arfdgsdfq,” lost more than $16,000 after entering at eleven cents per share.
The contract’s sharp fluctuations reflect renewed debate over whether Nakamoto’s coins will ever move. Despite repeated market stress, none of the original wallets tied to Satoshi have shown any sign of activity.
Satoshi Nakamoto’s fortune remains enormous, even after a $20 billion decline. With more than one million Bitcoin untouched for over a decade, his identity and intentions continue to shape public fascination with cryptocurrency.
While short-term volatility has rattled traders, analysts remain confident in Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory. They point to past corrections as essential for market health and see the current sell-off as a reset rather than a breakdown.
For now, the market watches two stories closely: whether Bitcoin rebounds toward its all-time high and whether the world’s most famous ghost investor ever returns.
