Bitcoin price BTC

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is the best-known cryptocurrency. It was created to enable a decentralised, digital payment system without the need for a central authority such as a bank. The idea behind the coin is to allow direct transactions between people, anywhere in the world, without an intermediary.

Bitcoin was introduced in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. Its supply is capped at 21 million coins, which is one of the reasons it is often compared to digital gold. New coins enter circulation through a process called mining, which also secures the network.

Following the live Bitcoin price

On this page you will find the live Bitcoin price in both US dollars and euros, along with everything you need to track the market at a glance. The chart shows the last 7 days of price action by default, and you can switch the period to 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or a full year. Just tap a button and the chart updates automatically.

That makes it easy to study how BTC has moved across different timeframes and to do your own research before making a decision.

The market data we show

Alongside the live rate, the page brings together:

• The day’s highest and lowest price.
• Market capitalisation in dollars (B for billion, M for million).
• Trading volume across all major exchanges combined.
• The number of BTC currently in circulation.
• The all-time high (ATH), the date it was set and how far the current value sits below it.
• Where you can buy BTC.
• Links to the official website, whitepaper and social channels.

Historical Bitcoin data

Under historical data you can look back at the Bitcoin price on specific dates in the past, shown in dollars since that is the market standard, together with the matching trading volume and market cap.

Convert BTC to dollars and euros

The calculator makes conversions simple. Enter an amount of BTC and it instantly works out the value in dollars or euros, and it works the other way around too. An exchange fee calculator is on the way, so you will soon be able to factor in trading costs as well.

What moves the Bitcoin price?

Like any asset, the value of BTC comes down to supply and demand. When more people are buying than selling, coins become scarcer, buyers bid higher and the rate climbs. When selling outweighs buying, sellers accept lower offers and it falls. A few common drivers:

Why the value rises

• Positive crypto news about Bitcoin.
• A partnership with a large company.
• Hype or FOMO on social media, or a well-known figure buying in.
• An upcoming upgrade or an interesting new feature.
• Investors moving capital into crypto.

Why the value falls

• Negative news, either market-wide or specific to Bitcoin.
• A scandal that spills over into the market.
• A major hack or bankruptcy.
• A buy the rumour, sell the news event.
• Fear or a crisis somewhere in the world.
• An event that played out differently than expected.

These are far from the only factors, but they cover the moves you will see most often. For the stories behind each swing, follow our latest Bitcoin news.