$BTC Bitcoin (BTC)
Market Cap: $1.495 trillion
7-Day Change: 4.89%
Price News: As of 8:32 a.m. ET, the price of bitcoin, or 1 BTC, traded at $74,691.41. Bitcoin’s highest 52-week intraday price was $126,198.07 on October 6, 2025.
Bitcoin:
Created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, bitcoin is the original and most recognized cryptocurrency.
The “OG” of crypto runs on a decentralized blockchain network. The network uses an energy-intensive, proof-of-work consensus system. On the network, miners validate transactions on the chain by solving complex puzzles. For each validated block, miners earn a reward of 3.125 BTC per block, currently worth $233,410.65.
The proof-of-work consensus model is often criticized for its carbon footprint. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that crypto mining, which bitcoin uses, represents up to 2.3% of U.S. electricity consumption. BTC has risen from roughly $0.06 in July 2010 to around $74,691.41 as of April 16, 2026, with a staggering increase of 120,780,868%.
Pros:
Viewed as a “digital gold” and a store of value.High liquidity and market stability relative to other coins.
Cons:
High energy consumption due to the proof-of-work system.Slower transaction speed and higher fees compared to newer networks.
Market Dominance: 59.04%