Crypto Wealth Holds Strong in 2026 Despite Bitcoin’s Sharp Retreat from Record Highs

LONDON, September 8, 2026: Global crypto wealth has remained resilient in 2026 despite Bitcoin retreating sharply from its record high, according to the Crypto Wealth Report 2026 released by Henley & Partners.

The report estimates that 135,694 crypto millionaires worldwide hold at least US$1 million in digital assets. Of these, 92,272 are Bitcoin millionaires.

The global crypto market was valued at around US$2.6 trillion as of August 31. Bitcoin accounted for approximately US$1.6 trillion of that value.

Bitcoin was trading about 38% below its October 2025 peak. However, the decline has been less severe than previous major crypto market downturns.

Bitcoin fell by more than 75% following its major peaks in 2011, 2013, 2017 and 2021.

Crypto Wealth Continues to Expand

The number of wealthy crypto investors has continued to grow despite the market correction.

The report identifies 290 crypto centi-millionaires holding at least US$100 million in digital assets. Of these, 151 hold their wealth in Bitcoin.

At the top of the wealth pyramid are 23 crypto billionaires, including nine whose holdings are primarily in Bitcoin.

Meanwhile, an estimated 742 million people worldwide now hold some form of digital asset. Around 371 million of them hold Bitcoin.

The figures indicate that crypto ownership continues to broaden despite periods of significant market volatility.

Digital Wealth Changes the Role of Geography

Dominic Volek, Group Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, said the portability of digital wealth is making residence and citizenship planning increasingly important.

“Crypto may be borderless, but the families who own it are not,” Volek said.

He noted that crypto owners still live, pay taxes, educate their children and operate within national legal systems.

Dr. Guenther Dobrauz-Saldapenna, Managing Partner at Henley & Partners Switzerland, said digital assets have changed the relationship between wealth and geography.

He said self-custodied digital assets can move with their owners almost instantly. As a result, residence, citizenship and regulatory choices have become more important for digital asset investors.

Younger Investors Focus on Wealth Preservation

The report also highlights the strong presence of younger investors in the digital asset market.

Jack Bernstein, Head of the International Tax Group at Aird & Berlis, said the first generation of crypto wealth creators faces challenges that differ from those of traditional family businesses.

For many young entrepreneurs, he said, the priority is increasingly shifting from creating wealth to preserving it.

Meanwhile, CoinShares CEO Jean-Marie Mognetti said wealth managers must consider more than which tokens clients should buy.

He argued that advisers also need to examine the different ways digital asset allocations can generate returns.

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Stablecoins Reshape Global Money Movement

Stablecoins are also playing a growing role in the movement of digital wealth between financial centres.

Dr. Guneet Kaur, an independent researcher in financial technologies and AI, said dollar liquidity can move rapidly between international financial centres.

According to Kaur, transactions between a Dubai custodian, a Singapore family office and a European bank account can now take minutes rather than days.

This development could further reduce reliance on traditional correspondent banking channels for some cross-border transactions.

Singapore Leads Crypto-Friendly Countries

The Henley Crypto Adoption Index 2026 ranks 36 countries that offer residence and citizenship pathways for international investors.

The index assesses regulatory conditions, taxation, infrastructure, innovation and crypto adoption. It draws on more than 900 data points.

Singapore retained the top position for the fourth consecutive year. It recorded the highest overall Innovation and Technology score.

The UAE ranked second, rising from fifth place last year. It received a perfect 10 for Tax-Friendliness, with no tax on crypto trading, staking or mining.

Hong Kong ranked third, recording the strongest Infrastructure Adoption and Economic Factors scores.

The United States ranked fourth. It was the only country to receive a perfect 10 for Public Adoption.

Switzerland completed the top five, supported by strong scores in Innovation and Technology and Economic Factors.

Malta and Other Countries Enter Top Rankings

Malta ranked sixth and recorded the highest Regulatory Environment score in the index.

Thailand, the United Kingdom, Cyprus and The Bahamas completed the top 10.

Several countries also emerged as notable newcomers. These included The Bahamas at 10th, the Cayman Islands at 12th, Bahrain at 13th, Argentina at 26th, the Maldives at 31st and Paraguay at 35th.

H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said Bahrain’s debut reflected its broader appeal to international investors.

She highlighted the country’s competitive taxation environment and business-friendly fundamentals.

The report suggests that as digital assets become more portable, investors are increasingly considering not only returns but also taxation, regulation, infrastructure and long-term wealth preservation when choosing where to live and invest.