$BTC
### **Bitcoin (BTC) Price: Volatility and Market Trends**
Bitcoin (BTC), the world's first and largest cryptocurrency, is known for its extreme price volatility. Since its 2009 launch, BTC has seen dramatic surges and crashes, influenced by factors like institutional adoption, regulatory news, macroeconomic trends, and investor sentiment.
In 2021, Bitcoin hit an all-time high near **$69,000**, fueled by pandemic-era stimulus, corporate investments (like Tesla and MicroStrategy), and growing mainstream acceptance. However, 2022 brought a brutal **"crypto winter"**, with BTC plunging below **$16,000** due to rising interest rates, the collapse of major firms (FTX, Celsius), and regulatory crackdowns.
