Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin is the first cryptocurrency, launched in January 2009. It runs on a proof-of-work network with a fixed limit of 21 million coins, and most people hold it as a long-term, scarce digital asset.
Profile last verified 23 September 2026. Live figures from CoinGecko. Not investment advice.
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What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin was described in a 2008 white paper by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto and went live on 3 January 2009. It lets people send value directly to each other without a bank, with transactions recorded on a public ledger that anyone can verify.
New bitcoins are created as a reward for miners, who compete to add blocks roughly every 10 minutes. The reward halves about every four years; the April 2024 halving cut it to 3.125 BTC per block. About 95% of all bitcoin that will ever exist has already been mined.
Key facts
| Ticker | BTC |
|---|---|
| Type | Layer 1 blockchain · Store of value |
| Launched | January 2009 |
| Consensus | Proof of work (SHA-256 mining) |
| Supply | Hard cap of 21 million BTC; new issuance halves roughly every four years (next expected around 2028). |
| Official site | bitcoin.org |
What BTC is used for
- Long-term savings and a hedge against currency debasement (its main use today)
- Borderless payments and remittances, including via the Lightning Network
- Collateral and reserve asset for companies, funds and spot ETFs
Main risks
- Large price swings: drawdowns of 70% or more have happened several times
- Lost keys mean lost coins; there is no password reset
- Regulation and tax rules vary by country and keep changing
- Mining uses a lot of energy, which draws political pressure
Related guides
Bitcoin: frequently asked questions
- How many bitcoins will ever exist?
- At most 21 million. The limit is enforced by the software every node runs, and the issuance schedule means the last fractions will be mined around the year 2140.
- What is the Bitcoin halving?
- Every 210,000 blocks (about four years) the reward for mining a block is cut in half. The most recent halving, in April 2024, reduced it from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC.
- Do I have to buy a whole bitcoin?
- No. One bitcoin divides into 100 million units called satoshis, and most exchanges let you buy a few dollars’ worth.
- Where should I keep bitcoin?
- Small amounts can stay on a reputable exchange, but for larger or long-term holdings many people use a self-custody wallet, ideally a hardware wallet, and keep the recovery phrase offline.