Bitcoin (BTC) is the world's first and most valuable cryptocurrency, functioning as a decentralized digital cash system that operates without central authorities like banks or governments. It uses a peer-to-peer internet network to confirm transactions directly between users.
Created by the mysterious developer Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009, Bitcoin has grown into a globally recognized asset and inspired the development of thousands of other cryptocurrencies. It remains the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization and continues to dominate the digital currency landscape.
Bitcoin Price Information
Understanding Bitcoin's price movements and market data is essential for anyone interested in the cryptocurrency space. Here are the key metrics that traders and investors monitor:
Current Market Data
24-Hour Low and High
- Low: $108,605.80
- High: $110,541.46
All-Time High and Low
- Historical High: $111,970.17 (May 22, 2025)
- Historical Low: $0.05 (July 14, 2010)
Price Changes
- 1-hour change: -0.53%
- 24-hour change: +1.03%
- 7-day change: +2.11%
- 30-day change: +2.67%
These percentage changes represent the asset's trading volume fluctuations compared to previous time periods, providing insight into market sentiment and momentum.
Bitcoin Market Information
Bitcoin maintains its position as the dominant cryptocurrency with these key market metrics:
Market Ranking: #1
Market Capitalization: $2.18 trillion
Market cap is calculated by multiplying the circulating supply by the current price.
24-Hour Trading Volume: $59.149 billion
This represents the total USD value of all Bitcoin transactions over the past 24 hours.
Circulating Supply: 19.887 million BTC (94.70% of total supply)
Circulating supply shows the number of coins that have been issued to date.
Maximum Total Supply: 21.00 million BTC
Bitcoin has a fixed supply limit, making it a deflationary asset by design.
The Evolution of Bitcoin
The concept of digital currency was first proposed in 1998 by Wei Dai in the Cypherpunks email list, where he suggested that cryptography could drive social change and enhance privacy in the information age. However, it would take another decade for this vision to materialize into Bitcoin.
In 2008, a person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto published a whitepaper titled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System," which described the fundamental principles of Bitcoin's operation.
In January 2009, Nakamoto released the first open-source Bitcoin software client, allowing anyone to install it and begin using Bitcoin.
Initially, Bitcoin attracted primarily privacy advocates and those interested in strong cryptography for social and political change. Over the following decade, Bitcoin's user base expanded significantly beyond these early "cypherpunks."
As regulatory agencies in major economies clarified Bitcoin's legal status, numerous exchanges established banking relationships, making it easier to convert between local currencies and Bitcoin. 👉 Explore more strategies for cryptocurrency investment
How Bitcoin Works
Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network using blockchain technology. Here's how it works in practice:
When you want to make a purchase with Bitcoin, you open your digital wallet and send the agreed amount of Bitcoin to the merchant's address. Bitcoin transactions are confirmed through "private keys" that authenticate exchanges between wallets, enhancing security.
After a transaction is initiated, miners collect these transactions and package them into "blocks." They then use hash functions to perform computational work that encrypts and generates a unique signature for each block.
The hashing process is a critical component of Bitcoin's operation, essentially compressing all transaction data within a specific block into readable and distinguishable code known as a hash value.
Finally, the block containing the hash value is broadcast to the network for validation. If verified as valid, the block is added to the "blockchain," where it becomes visible to everyone on the network.
Bitcoin Mining
Bitcoin mining involves maintaining the network and processing transactions. Here's what you need to know about the mining process:
To mine Bitcoin, you need to operate a mining node that collects Bitcoin transactions and packages them into blocks. The node must also have sufficient computational power to have a chance at being the first miner to calculate the required hash value.
Due to these requirements, running a mining node is expensive, requiring powerful computers and substantial electricity resources.
To offset these costs and increase their chances of success, miners often combine their resources into "mining pools." These pools merge individual computing power and resources to maximize their ability to be first to package new blocks and receive Bitcoin rewards.
Bitcoin Forks
Understanding Bitcoin forks requires distinguishing between two types: "soft forks" and "hard forks."
Soft Forks
In a soft fork, the new system remains "backward compatible" with the old system. This means the upgraded blockchain validates block transactions, and the old blockchain can still recognize and record these transactions. However, the new blockchain won't recognize blocks mined using the old protocol.
Hard Forks
A hard fork introduces new software that is incompatible with the old network. This means all transactions must be processed on the new blockchain, and miners using the old software must upgrade.
If users don't resolve a hard fork through consensus, a new cryptocurrency is created. Examples include Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin Gold, which resulted from such divisions in the Bitcoin community.
Bitcoin Security
Since 2010, there have been nearly ten significant cryptocurrency exchange hacks, with losses reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. However, compared to traditional banking and financial institutions, which have lost billions to cybercriminals during the same period, Bitcoin's security track record is relatively strong.
Programmers and the cryptocurrency community continuously work to identify and fix vulnerabilities in blockchain networks. 👉 View real-time security tools for digital assets
On a personal level, anyone investing in Bitcoin should implement proper internet security measures before accessing financial information and conducting transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current price of Bitcoin?
We provide real-time USD pricing for Bitcoin, which can be accessed through cryptocurrency tracking platforms. Prices fluctuate constantly based on market demand and supply.
What is Bitcoin's current market capitalization?
Bitcoin's current market capitalization is approximately $2.18 trillion. Market cap represents the consensus between buyers and sellers regarding the asset's value at any given time.
What is Bitcoin's 24-hour trading volume?
Over the past 24 hours, Bitcoin's global trading volume reached $59.149 billion, indicating high liquidity and active market participation.
What is Bitcoin's total circulating supply?
Bitcoin has a circulating supply of approximately 19.887 million coins, with a maximum supply capped at 21 million coins.
What is Bitcoin's all-time high price?
According to historical data, Bitcoin reached its all-time high of $111,970.17 on May 22, 2025.
What is Bitcoin's all-time low price?
Historical records show Bitcoin's all-time low was $0.05 on July 14, 2010, during its earliest days.
What is Bitcoin's current market ranking?
Bitcoin currently maintains the #1 position among all tradable cryptocurrency assets by market capitalization.
Is Bitcoin a good investment for 2026?
Predicting cryptocurrency prices involves significant uncertainty due to market volatility. Potential investors should conduct thorough research, consider their risk tolerance, and possibly consult financial advisors before making investment decisions.