Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss Net Worth Explained: The $65M Facebook Settlement That Helped Grow Their Bitcoin Fortune

Core Insights - The Winklevoss twins, Cameron and Tyler, have experienced significant financial fluctuations due to their investments in Bitcoin, losing over half a billion dollars in net worth following a price crash on October 10 [1][7] - Despite the losses, they remain influential figures in the cryptocurrency sector, having built a digital asset empire from their initial Facebook settlement [2][3] Investment Background - The Winklevoss twins' wealth originated from a $65 million settlement with Facebook in 2008, which included $20 million in cash and $45 million in Facebook stock [3] - Their stake in Facebook appreciated significantly by the time of the company's IPO in May 2012, effectively doubling in value [3] Bitcoin Investments - In 2013, the twins disclosed that they had invested $11 million in Bitcoin when it was priced around $120 per coin, acquiring over 91,000 BTC [5] - They have maintained a long-term holding strategy for Bitcoin, with little evidence of selling more than a small portion of their holdings [5] Business Ventures - The Winklevoss twins expanded their investments beyond Bitcoin by founding Gemini, a cryptocurrency exchange, in 2014, targeting institutional clients and high-net-worth individuals [6] - In 2019, they further diversified by acquiring the NFT marketplace Nifty Gateway [6] Broader Investment Strategy - Through Winklevoss Capital, the twins have invested in various digital assets, including Ethereum, Tezos, and ZCash, and have backed several crypto companies such as Animoca Brands, Messari, and YellowCard [8] - They are estimated to still hold at least 70,000 BTC, valued at approximately $8 billion [9]