Bitcoin (BTC): key facts and live price
Bitcoin (BTC) fact sheet with live price · reviewed November 4, 2026
Bitcoin is the first cryptocurrency: digital money with a fixed limit of 21 million coins, secured by proof-of-work mining and run by no company or government. It launched in 2009 and is by far the largest cryptocurrency by value. Read the full beginner's guide →
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Key facts
| Launched | January 3, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Created by | Satoshi Nakamoto (pseudonym) |
| How it's secured | Proof of work (SHA-256 mining) |
| Maximum supply | 21,000,000 BTC |
| Already issued | More than 20 million (the 20 millionth was mined in March 2026) |
| New blocks | About every 10 minutes |
| Block reward | 3.125 BTC (since April 2024); next halving expected around 2028 |
| Smallest unit | 1 satoshi = 0.00000001 BTC |
| Ways to invest besides coins | US spot Bitcoin ETFs since January 2024 |
Who runs it
Nobody owns Bitcoin. Volunteer and sponsored developers maintain the main software (Bitcoin Core), miners compete to add blocks, and tens of thousands of computers (nodes) check every block against the rules. A change to the rules only sticks if the people running nodes adopt it, which is why Bitcoin changes slowly.
What it's used for
Mostly as a long-term store of value ("digital gold") and for speculation, plus cross-border payments and, in some countries, everyday payments. Faster, cheaper small payments can use the Lightning Network, a layer built on top of Bitcoin.
How it works
Miners compete to add a block of transactions roughly every 10 minutes; the winner earns new bitcoins and fees. Every node checks every block, so no one can spend coins they don't have. The reward per block halves every 210,000 blocks (about four years), which is how the 21 million cap is reached. Read the full beginner's guide to Bitcoin and how mining works.
Where things stand (November 2026)
More than 20 million of the 21 million bitcoins now exist; the last fractions will be mined around 2140. US spot Bitcoin ETFs, trading since January 2024, have become one of the main ways people hold bitcoin. The next halving, which cuts the block reward to 1.5625 BTC, is expected around April 2028.
Risks to know
- Price swings: Bitcoin has fallen more than 70% from its peak several times. Most recently it fell about 50% from its October 2025 record during 2026.
- Lost keys or a lost seed phrase mean lost coins; there's no reset.
- Scams often ask victims to pay in bitcoin, including through Bitcoin ATMs.
- Energy use and changing regulation remain debated.
Buying and storing it
If you decide to buy, use a regulated exchange you reach directly, check fees with the true cost calculator, and store long-term holdings in a wallet you control, with the seed phrase written down offline. Read how to buy crypto safely. This page isn't a recommendation to buy.
Questions
What does BTC stand for?
BTC is the standard abbreviation and ticker symbol for bitcoin, taken from the letters of the name (BiTCoin), the way a stock has a ticker. Some platforms use XBT instead. It isn't short for longer words.
Who controls Bitcoin?
No one. Changes to its rules need broad agreement from the people running the software.
Can I buy less than one bitcoin?
Yes. You can buy a few dollars' worth, measured in satoshis (100 million satoshis = 1 BTC).
Is Bitcoin the same as blockchain?
No. Bitcoin is one cryptocurrency; a blockchain is the kind of shared ledger it runs on.
Compare Bitcoin
See it side by side, with live data: Bitcoin vs. Ethereum, Bitcoin vs. Litecoin, Bitcoin vs. Bitcoin Cash. Convert it with the BTC to USD converter. Track it in the private portfolio tracker.
Where to next
Sources
Facts checked against the sources listed, as of November 4, 2026. Live price data by CoinGecko. Educational only; not financial advice. How we write and check pages.