The number of millionaires whose wealth comes from cryptocurrency has surged globally, rising by 40% in the past 12 months to a record 241,700, according to the Crypto Wealth Report 2025 from Henley & Partners, published on 23 September 2025.
This increase is largely fueled by a 70% rise in Bitcoin millionaires, which now number 145,100, contributing to a total crypto market valuation of $3.3 trillion as of June 2025.
Why Crypto and Gold Are the Assets of Choice
At the ultra-high-wealth level, there are 36 crypto billionaires, while 450 centi-millionaires now hold crypto portfolios exceeding $100 million, up 38% from last year. Institutional adoption continues to grow alongside these figures, with cryptocurrencies increasingly integrated into mainstream wealth management strategies.
Report says, the surge in crypto wealth reflects a shift in how high-net-worth individuals store and move capital.
Andrew Amoils, Head of Research at New World Wealth, notes:
“In previous decades, precious stones like diamonds were widely used to move money discreetly across borders thanks to their portability. Today, crypto and gold have largely taken their place as modern stores of portable wealth.”
Dominic Volek, Group Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, emphasizes that crypto offers geographic flexibility:
“With just 12 memorized words, an individual can secure a billion dollars in Bitcoin, instantly accessible from Zurich or Zhengzhou alike.”
In 2024 alone, $14.4 trillion worth of wealth crossed national borders, reflecting a broader trend of globally mobile wealth. Crypto and gold allow high-net-worth investors to bypass traditional geographic limitations while maintaining security and liquidity.
Where Crypto Millionaires Prefer to Live
The report evaluated 29 investment migration programs, considering six factors: public adoption, infrastructure, innovation and technology, regulatory environment, economic stability, and tax-friendliness.
The top jurisdictions for crypto-friendly residency include:
- Singapore – Leading for regulatory clarity and innovation infrastructure.
- Hong Kong – Strong financial ecosystem and crypto adoption.
- United States – Institutional support and infrastructure for digital assets.
- Switzerland – Secure banking and crypto-friendly regulations.
- U.A.E. – Perfect score for tax-friendliness, with no crypto trading or mining taxes.
Other notable crypto-friendly countries include Malta, the U.K., Luxembourg, Portugal, Austria, Italy, Monaco, Canada, Thailand, and Australia, with Caribbean nations such as St. Kitts & Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda accepting cryptocurrency as partial proof of wealth for citizenship applications.
“Diversification across multiple jurisdictions has become a hedge against regulatory volatility and technological obsolescence,”
said Volek.
“The ability to engage with innovation hubs while maintaining legal certainty is now essential.”
Bitcoin as the Foundation of a Parallel Financial System
According to Philipp Baumann, founder of Z22 Technologies, Bitcoin is increasingly functioning as a base currency for wealth accumulation, not merely a speculative asset.
Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3, calls this “the defining paradox of our age,” as crypto enables personal financial sovereignty while challenging government monitoring and taxation mechanisms.
Michael Saylor, CEO of Strategy, reinforced this view on X, stating:
“Bitcoin is money. Everything else is credit.”
As cryptocurrencies gain legitimacy and adoption among institutions, they are becoming a central component of wealth portfolios, alongside gold and other traditional assets.
Implications for Wealth Management and Security
The rapid rise of crypto millionaires highlights a shift in global wealth strategy, where individuals prioritize mobility, regulatory clarity, and access to innovation hubs. Investment migration programs are increasingly critical for managing exposure to market volatility and government oversight.
As the number of crypto millionaires continues to rise, so does the need for personal security. High-profile incidents, such as the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland and his wife in France, have underscored the vulnerabilities faced by wealthy crypto investors. These events have led to increased demand for private security services. Jethro Pijlman, managing director of Infinite Risks International, notes a significant uptick in inquiries and long-term contracts from crypto investors seeking protection against potential threats
As crypto continues to gain traction, wealthy investors are reshaping global wealth distribution, influencing where they live, how they allocate assets, and how they interact with traditional financial systems.
This marks a significant evolution in wealth planning, emphasizing portability, security, and flexibility.
Gunel Ismayilova
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