Store of value
Bitcoin (BTC)
BTCData: Coinbase · updated 9/6/2026, 1:02:40 PM
What Bitcoin does
- Lets people send value directly to each other without a bank or payment processor
- Capped at 21 million coins by protocol rules — no central party can print more
- Secured by a global network of miners competing to validate transactions (proof-of-work)
- Can be self-custodied in a personal wallet instead of held by an exchange
Risks to know
- Price is highly volatile and can swing sharply in short periods
- Proof-of-work mining is energy-intensive, drawing environmental criticism
- Coins held on an exchange (rather than self-custodied) carry counterparty/custody risk
- Regulatory treatment varies widely by country and can change
Where to trade BTC
Top-rated exchanges by CompareCEX Score. Check the exchange's market list for BTC availability before depositing.
Frequently asked questions
Who created Bitcoin?
Bitcoin was created by a pseudonymous person or group known as Satoshi Nakamoto, who published the Bitcoin white paper in 2008 and launched the network in January 2009. Nakamoto's real identity has never been confirmed.
Is there a maximum number of Bitcoin?
Yes. Bitcoin's protocol caps the total supply at 21 million coins. New coins are issued to miners on a fixed, decreasing schedule until the cap is reached, which is expected to happen around the year 2140.
What does 'self-custody' mean for Bitcoin?
Self-custody means holding your own private keys in a wallet you control, instead of leaving coins on an exchange. It removes exchange counterparty risk but puts the responsibility for securing the keys entirely on you.
Related coins
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