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Table of Contents
Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin's Price History
By
John Edwards
Updated December 05, 2024
Reviewed by Julius Mansa
Fact checked by
Suzanne Kvilhaug
Part of the Series
Bitcoin Price Guide

Investopedia / Madelyn Goodnight
Among all asset classes, Bitcoin has had one of the more volatile trading histories. The cryptocurrency's first significant price increase occurred in October 2010 when the value of a single bitcoin started moving past its long flat price of less than $0.10.1
The cryptocurrency has experienced several massive rallies and spectacular crashes since it first became available. This article offers insight into Bitcoin's volatile history and some reasons why its price acts the way it does.
Key Takeaways
Since it was first introduced, Bitcoin has had a choppy and volatile trading history.
Bitcoin was designed to be used as currency in daily transactions.
While Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, investors have also used it to store value and to hedge against inflation and market uncertainty.
Bitcoin's price is a product of supply, demand, and market sentiment.

Investopedia / Alice Morgan
Bitcoin's Price History
The price changes for Bitcoin generally reflect investor enthusiasm, as well as the demand and supply dynamics in the market. Satoshi Nakamoto, the anonymous Bitcoin inventor(s), designed it for use in daily transactions—but it has become far more than a payment method.
It attracted traders who began to bet on its price changes. Investors turned to Bitcoin as a way to store value, generate wealth, and hedge against inflation, and institutions worked to create Bitcoin investment instruments.
Bitcoin's price fluctuations are primarily driven by traders and investors who buy and sell aggressively in hopes of catching the next big move. If you're thinking of investing in Bitcoin, be sure to select a reliable cryptocurrency exchange first.
Here's a quick rundown of Bitcoin's price history:
2009–2015
Bitcoin had a price of zero when it was introduced in 2009.
