Imagine If El Chapo Chose the Bitcoin Investment Path, the Wealth of the World's Elites Could Be Rivaled🚀

pvt_key_collector · 2026-01-04T16:59:25+00:00

The essay explores a hypothetical scenario where Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán invests $1 billion in Bitcoin in 2016. Analyzing price fluctuations, the potential value of his Bitcoin holdings could soar to $152.2 billion by 2026, highlighting the significance of investment timing in crypto markets.

pvt_key_collector

2026-01-04 16:59:25

Abstract generation in progress

In 2016, when he was arrested, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán was estimated to have a net worth of $1–$3 billion USD. Although most of his assets were tied up in various forms, let’s simulate an interesting scenario: what if El Chapo’s wealth of $1 billion was invested in Bitcoin at that time?

Simple Calculation: Missed Opportunity

In 2016, Bitcoin traded around $400–$700 per coin. Taking an average of $600, an investment of $1 billion would have yielded:

1,000,000,000 ÷ 600 = 1,666,667 BTC

This amount is equivalent to about 7.9% of the total Bitcoin supply ever created. A highly dominant position in the crypto market.

Value Surge: From Billions to Trillions

The story becomes extraordinary when we look at Bitcoin’s price today. With Bitcoin trading around $91,310 per coin ( data January 2026 ), the simulated ownership of 1,666,667 BTC would be worth approximately $152.2 billion—a figure reflecting spectacular growth over the past 10 years.

Global Wealth Context

To put it into perspective, El Chapo’s wealth in this hypothetical scenario would approach or even surpass the net worth of some of the world’s wealthiest billionaires. Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and other Fortune 500 figures should prepare for a significant shift in the global wealth ranking.

This simulation demonstrates how choosing the right investment at the right moment can radically change the financial landscape—and serves as a reminder of why timing in the crypto market is crucial.

BTC-1,13%

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.