What is a satoshi?

A satoshi is the smallest unit of Bitcoin, equal to one hundred millionth of a bitcoin (0.00000001 BTC). Named after the enigmatic creator of the Bitcoin protocol, Satoshi Nakamoto, the satoshi helps make Bitcoin transactions practical as the value of a single BTC has climbed into the tens of thousands of dollars. While Bitcoin was once priced in cents, dividing it into satoshis makes it easier to use today.

Even with Bitcoin’s significant price growth, satoshis remain accessible to a broad range of cryptocurrency users. For instance, if BTC reaches $1 million per coin, one satoshi would still be worth only $0.01. This divisibility allows Bitcoin to serve not just institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals, but also everyday users who can transact with small fractions of BTC.

History of satoshi

The story of the satoshi is closely tied to the development of Bitcoin and its protocol. On October 31, 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto published the Bitcoin whitepaper, introducing the world to a decentralized network powered by blockchain technology and a new digital currency.

On January 3, 2009, Nakamoto mined the Genesis Block—the first block in the Bitcoin blockchain—launching the network. Bitcoin was designed from the beginning to be divisible into smaller units, with the satoshi representing the smallest, at one hundred millionth of a BTC. The name satoshi honors Bitcoin’s creator.

The term “satoshi” was first proposed by the user ribuck on the BitcoinTalk forum on November 15, 2010. Initially, it referred to one hundredth of a BTC, but the community later agreed to use it for the smallest possible unit of Bitcoin.

How does the satoshi work?

Satoshis function just like BTC within Bitcoin’s decentralized network. Users can send, receive, trade, and pay with satoshis, just as they do with BTC. Amounts can be specified in either BTC or satoshis, depending on user preference and transaction size.

For example, 0.00912295 BTC is equal to 912,295 satoshis. This flexibility allows users to choose the most convenient way to express their transactions. The answer to “how many satoshis in a bitcoin” is straightforward: one bitcoin contains exactly 100,000,000 satoshis. Smaller amounts are often easier to express in satoshis, while larger transactions are typically quoted in BTC.

How can you use satoshis?

Satoshis can be used interchangeably with Bitcoin for a variety of purposes. Key use cases include:

Buying and selling on nearly any crypto platform. Most exchanges support trading in both whole BTC and fractional amounts denominated in satoshis, making it accessible for all investors.

Swapping for other cryptocurrencies on exchanges and trading services. Satoshis can be converted into altcoins just like whole bitcoins.

Purchasing goods or paying for services wherever Bitcoin is accepted. As crypto adoption grows, more merchants accept Bitcoin payments, and satoshis make it possible to pay for low-value items and services through micropayments.

Speculative investment and asset accumulation. Investors can accumulate satoshis gradually, even with modest budgets.

Acquiring satoshis is simple: buy any amount of Bitcoin on a trading platform, and your balance can be displayed in satoshis.

Satoshi in Bitcoin and US dollar

The ratio of satoshi to Bitcoin and the US dollar is key for understanding this smallest unit’s value. Knowing how many satoshis are in a bitcoin is fundamental for working with crypto:

1 BTC equals 100,000,000 satoshis. This ratio is hardcoded into the Bitcoin protocol and will never change.

1 satoshi equals 0.00000001 BTC.

The dollar value of a satoshi fluctuates with Bitcoin’s market price. When BTC trades at tens of thousands of dollars, a satoshi is worth less than a cent. For example, if BTC is $90,000, one satoshi is $0.0009, so $1 would buy about 1,111 satoshis.

One million satoshis equal 0.01 BTC. The dollar value of satoshis changes constantly as the market moves, but 1 BTC will always equal 100,000,000 satoshis.

How does satoshi differ from other digital denominations?

Many cryptocurrencies use unique denominations to split their base currencies into smaller units. Bitcoin uses satoshis; Ethereum and other coins have their own systems.

Bitcoin denominations include: 1 satoshi (0.00000001 BTC, the smallest unit); 100 satoshis, also called microbitcoin (µBTC, 0.000001 BTC); and 100,000 satoshis, or millibitcoin (0.001 BTC). Knowing that one bitcoin equals 100 million satoshis helps users understand these units.

For comparison, Ethereum uses wei as its smallest unit. 1 wei is equal to 0.000000001 Gwei or 0.000000000000000001 ETH. One billion wei equals 1 Gwei (0.000000001 ETH). To get 1 ETH, you need one quintillion wei or a billion Gwei.

Each cryptocurrency features its own denomination system, designed for its technical requirements and user needs.

Legacy of Satoshi Nakamoto

Satoshi Nakamoto launched Bitcoin in response to the 2008 financial crisis, creating a decentralized alternative to fiat currencies and traditional banking. While Bitcoin has evolved beyond just currency, it still serves as a medium of exchange thanks to its underlying technology and code.

Satoshis make Bitcoin more inclusive by providing a practical unit for microtransactions and small investments. More than sixteen years after Nakamoto’s disappearance, his innovation continues to reshape the financial landscape.

Bitcoin and satoshis remain Nakamoto’s lasting legacy, demonstrating the strength of decentralized technology and expanding opportunities for financial inclusion and independence.

Conclusion

The satoshi is the core unit of the Bitcoin ecosystem, representing the smallest divisible part of the currency. Named for the legendary Satoshi Nakamoto, the satoshi is essential for making Bitcoin accessible and usable for a broad audience.

By enabling Bitcoin to be split into 100 million satoshis, the currency remains practical regardless of its price. Knowing how many satoshis are in a bitcoin allows anyone to participate in the Bitcoin ecosystem, transact, invest, and use cryptocurrency for everyday payments, regardless of financial status.

The satoshi continues to embody the vision of a decentralized financial system set forth by Satoshi Nakamoto over fifteen years ago. As the crypto industry grows and Bitcoin adoption increases, satoshis will play a bigger role in financial inclusion and democratizing access to digital assets.

FAQ

What is 1 satoshi?

1 satoshi is 0.00000001 bitcoin—the smallest unit of bitcoin. One bitcoin contains 100 million satoshis.

How much BTC does Satoshi have?

Satoshi Nakamoto is estimated to hold about 1 million BTC, which accounts for roughly 4.8% of the total supply of 21 million bitcoins.

How many sats are in 1 bitcoin?

One bitcoin equals 100 million sats. 1 BTC = 100,000,000 sats.

How much is 1 satoshi in US dollars?

As of 12/06/2025, 1 satoshi is worth roughly $0.0009. This is a tiny amount, but the value of a satoshi changes with Bitcoin’s price.