What Is the Price of Bitcoin?

When people talk about the price of Bitcoin, they are referring to the current price at which Bitcoin is changing hands. Since Bitcoin is a purely speculative asset, this price is determined by how little sellers are willing to charge and how much buyers are willing to pay. Even then, the price of Bitcoin can vary across exchanges or currencies because of market inefficiencies

The price of Bitcoin is constantly changing and is closely monitored by a number of banks, financial institutions, and retail investors. Our website shows you the average price of Bitcoin across major exchanges in the currency of your choice, with updates every 30 seconds.

Bitcoin Annual Closing Prices and % Returns

Below is a table of how the USD price of Bitcoin has changed year-to-year, and what percentage return per calendar year this has resulted in.

Big Moments for Bitcoin’s Price

Looking back on Bitcoin’s price history, there have been a few defining moments. Here are just some of those moments:

April 2013 Crash

In early April 2013, Bitcoin was trading for as much as $237. Overnight, it fell to just $67. This seventy-plus percent drop hit the market with a lasting effect, as it would take over six months for the price to recover to previous levels.

2013 End of Year Rally

Only at the start of November 2017 did Bitcoin recover to its highs from earlier in the year, and this marked the beginning of one of Bitcoin’s most notable bull runs. By the end of the month, the price had quadrupled, although it stabilized around the $700 mark by the new year.

February 2014 Crash

Following the currency’s recent rally, there was bound to be tension in the Bitcoin price in the first months of 2014. This tension broke out when news aired that cryptocurrency exchange Mt. Gox had been hacked, causing the price to drop from around $800 to below $450.

2017 Bull Market and All Time High

2017 was a great year for Bitcoin price-wise, but the bullish price action went parabolic in the last few months of the year. Between November 1 and December 17, Bitcoin’s price skyrocketed from $6,600 to its All Time High of over $20,000 — a more than three times increase.

2018 End of Year Dump

Contrary to the previous year, 2018 saw a prolonged bear bias for the major cryptocurrency. However, following the closure of a 10-month long price wedge, Bitcoin fell from as much as $6,700 to below $3,700 within the single month of November.

Bitcoin Price FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How is the price of Bitcoin determined?

The price of Bitcoin is determined by how little sellers are willing to charge (the ask price) and how much buyers are willing to pay (the bid price). When these prices overlap, a trade occurs representing the current price at which Bitcoin is changing hands.

How often does the price of Bitcoin change?

The price of Bitcoin is constantly changing, with every new trade that is made. Our platform updates the price information every 30 seconds.

Is the price of Bitcoin the same across the world?

Due to market inefficiencies, it’s possible that Bitcoin is traded for different prices at the same time in different parts of the world. This discrepancy can increase if it becomes harder for buyers in a certain geographical location or using a certain currency to buy Bitcoin.

What is the difference between bid and ask prices?

The bid price is the price at which buyers are willing to buy Bitcoin, and the ask price is the price at which sellers are willing to sell Bitcoin. A trade only occurs, thereby changing the price of Bitcoin, when these prices overlap.