Bitcoin Makes History: The Satos Awards Names Its First Community-Voted Winners

For the first time in Bitcoin’s history, the people who built this movement have an official record.

LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES, May 6, 2026 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ – For 15 years, Bitcoin has built a global movement. The people who built it had no permanent home for recognition. Until now.

On April 29, 2026, during Bitcoin Conference week in Las Vegas, The Satos Awards named its inaugural class of winners across 21 categories - the first time in Bitcoin’s history the community itself determined who deserves to be remembered. Votes were cast across 34 countries, in the first global community vote dedicated exclusively to Bitcoin recognition.

The inaugural class also includes the Sovereign Leadership Award, presented to President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador in recognition of his historic decision to make Bitcoin legal tender - the first nation-state in the world to do so.

“History remembers movements. The Satos Awards makes sure it remembers the people who built this one,” said Heather Richmond, Founder and Executive Producer of The Satos Awards.

“Being recognized by the Bitcoin community means everything to me. This is a community built on conviction, hard truths, and a shared belief that fixing the money can change lives. To be honored by the people doing the work to build this future is the greatest privilege, and it only makes me want to work harder to bring more people into Bitcoin.” – Natalie Brunell, 2026 Satos Award Winner, Podcast Category

All 21 categories were determined entirely by public vote from the global Bitcoin community. The Satos Awards is built on the Philosophy of 21 - 21 award categories and a Satos Council designed to mirror Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million.

The builders, educators, and leaders who shaped this movement now have a permanent record of recognition.

The inaugural Satos Council includes Ben Perrin (BTC Sessions), Efrat Fenigson, Susie Violet Ward, Peter McCormack, and Don Tsell, among others - respected voices from across the global Bitcoin community.

2026 OFFICIAL WINNERS

The inaugural class represents the builders, leaders, educators, and community voices who made Bitcoin what it is today.

LEADERSHIP Global Leadership: Michael Saylor Lifetime Achievement: Michael Saylor

TECHNICAL & INFRASTRUCTURE Open-Source Contribution: SeedSigner Lightning & Scaling: Lightning Labs Infrastructure: BTCPay Server Mining & Energy: Abundant Mines

PRODUCT & SECURITY Security & Privacy: Cake Wallet Bitcoin Wallet of the Year: Cake Wallet

INSTITUTIONAL & ENTERPRISE Institutional Adoption: Metaplanet Enterprise Innovation: Metaplanet Financial Infrastructure: BTCPay Server Bitcoin Company of the Year: Strategy

MEDIA & CULTURE Media & Journalism: Bitcoin Magazine Podcast: Natalie Brunell Education: Saifedean Ammous Cultural Impact: Metaplanet

COMMUNITY & GLOBAL Human Rights: Human Rights Foundation Emerging Markets: Bitcoin for Fairness Community Leadership: Bitcoin Bay Foundation

BUILDER & INNOVATION Builder of the Year: SatoshiLabs Innovator of the Year: SatoshiLabs

SPECIAL RECOGNITION Cultural Recognition: Collect & Hodl - Statue of Satoshi Sovereign Leadership: President Nayib Bukele, El Salvador

WHAT COMES NEXT

The Satos Awards is built to last. Following its inaugural global event in Las Vegas, regional programs are in development across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and MENA. The next full U.S. recognition event returns in 2027.

ABOUT THE SATOS AWARDS

The Satos Awards is the first permanent global recognition platform for Bitcoin excellence. Founded by Heather Richmond, Executive Producer of Creative Strategy Studios, The Satos Awards is built on the Philosophy of 21 - 21 award categories and a Satos Council designed to mirror Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million. thesatosawards.com

The record has begun.

Amaya Holliway The Satos Awards +1 323-425-4633 Visit us on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/satosawards https://instagram.com/satosawards https://x.com/satosawards https://thesatosawards.com/