TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In the last quarter of 2025, the digital currency market is heading to a brighter path in the U.S., with Bitcoin especially taking the center stage.
While it’s now built on a brand new solid level, newcomers and seasoned investors are advised to learn Bitcoin price history throughout its existence as a global currency. Drawing insights from Bankrates, Chart BITBO, and various sources, here’s everything you need to know about the fluctuating market of Bitcoin.
When did Bitcoin Start?
Bitcoin started in 2008, when an anonymous creator under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto introduced the revolutionary concept through a white paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.”
Born in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, Bitcoin (BTC) emerged as a bold response to the flaws of traditional banking, paving the way for what would become the world’s largest cryptocurrency, according to Crypto.com.
In its early phase, Bitcoin faced skepticism over the risk of duplication and lack of physical form, which made investors hesitant to adopt it widely.
Nakamoto tackled this challenge head-on by addressing the “double spending” problem and proposing a decentralized system that could operate without a central authority.
This concept materialized into what we now know as blockchain technology, a transparent, tamper-resistant ledger that timestamps every digital transaction across a vast network of computers.
Using advanced cryptographic methods and a proof-of-work mechanism, Bitcoin ensures that only verified data is recorded, effectively removing the need for banks, governments, or any financial intermediaries.
Bitcoin Price History
Currently dominating cryptocurrency’s largest market, Bitcoin (BTC) has experienced a number of price fluctuations since it was first launched. While the investment instrument has a fairly stable reputation, its price on the other hand is bound to rise or fall by thousands within one day. Let’s take a look at the Bitcoin price history scheme below.
Early Raise of Bitcoin (2009-2013)
According to the New Liberty Standard Exchange, the first exchange of Bitcoin for dollars occurred in late 2009, where users on the BitcoinTalk forum earned $5.02 for 5,050 BTC. In 2010 or the following year, Bitcoin recorded its first real world food purchase, exchanging 10,000 BTC for two pizzas.
After spending years under the radar, Bitcoin underwent its first halving in November 2012. And, by 2013, Bitcoin price history began showing signs of volatility, with records encompassing $20, $40, $68, $150, and $230 tags.
More Volatility (2013-2017)
Between 2014 and 2016, Bitcoin went through a rollercoaster of highs and lows. In early 2014, its price soared to $1,000 before plunging nearly 90% due to the collapse of Mt. Gox, one of the first major crypto exchanges.
The following year saw a slow recovery, with Bitcoin ending 2015 around $430, marking the year when its official “” symbol was adopted. In 2016, volatility eased as the cryptocurrency’s price began to stabilize, showing signs of consolidation.
By 2017, Bitcoin’s quiet recovery gave way to an explosive rally. Starting the year around $1,000, it steadily gained traction as more retail investors entered the market. Prices climbed past $2,000 in May, briefly dipped in July, then surged again to $4,000 by August.
The final months of 2017 witnessed an unprecedented boom of breaking past $5,000 in October, $7,000 in November, and eventually skyrocketing above $19,000 by mid-December.
Celebrating Recoveries (2018-2020)
After reaching record highs in 2017, Bitcoin spent most of 2018 in decline, struggling to regain momentum despite a short-lived surge early in the year.
In 2019, Bitcoin began the year searching for stability. It hovered below $4,000 for months before finally breaking past that level in April and climbing to around $5,000. However, by September, its price had slipped again below $10,000 and ended the year just under $7,200, showing little clear direction.
The tide turned in 2020, as Bitcoin regained strength and surpassed $10,000 early in the year. Fueled by global economic stimulus and optimism over COVID-19 vaccine developments, the cryptocurrency surged to nearly $20,000 by November.
By December, Bitcoin skyrocketed even further, closing the year at an impressive $28,949, marking one of its strongest comebacks yet.
Facing Illegal Issues (2021-2023)
In 2021, Bitcoin faced major turbulence as China intensified its crackdown on cryptocurrencies. The government banned financial institutions and payment platforms from handling crypto transactions, triggering a sharp market sell-off that cut Bitcoin’s value by more than half.
Later that year, China went further by declaring all cryptocurrency transactions illegal, even those conducted through foreign platforms.
Despite the crackdown, Bitcoin rebounded strongly, surpassing $60,000 by October and reaching an all-time high of $68,789 in November.
The momentum faded in 2022 as global inflation surged and central banks raised interest rates, pushing investors away from riskier assets. Bitcoin hovered around $40,000 for several months before sliding further as the U.S. Federal Reserve tightened monetary policy.
By 2023, optimism slowly returned to the market. As tech stocks rallied and interest rates appeared to be peaking, Bitcoin regained its strength, rising over 50% by mid-year and closing December above $42,000.
ETFs Momentum and Trump’s Cryptocurrency Stance (2024-2025)
In December 2024, Bitcoin reached a historic milestone, surpassing $100,000 for the first time. The surge was fueled by renewed optimism in the crypto market following the election of President Donald Trump, known for his pro-crypto stance.
Early the next year, in January 2025, Trump signed an executive order on digital assets, forming a working group to draft regulations for the cryptocurrency industry, further cementing the government’s focus on crypto policy.
By May 2025, Bitcoin rebounded sharply, hitting a new record of $111,000 before a short correction. The rally continued through the summer, with Bitcoin climbing once again to around $124,000 in mid-August.
Should You Invest in Bitcoin?
Bitcoin remains one of the most volatile assets in the financial world, capable of dramatic swings overnight. Because of this unpredictability, experts encourage cautious investment rather than diving in with excessive enthusiasm.
BlackRock, for instance, suggests that allocating just 1–2% of a portfolio to Bitcoin is reasonable. This way, investors can still benefit if the market rises while limiting the risk of heavy losses if it falls.
In understanding Bitcoin price history, it’s clear that the cryptocurrency has come a long way, from its 2008 beginnings to surpassing $100,000 in 2024.
Marked by dramatic highs and sharp declines, Bitcoin’s journey reflects its volatile yet transformative nature in the global financial landscape. And, if you are interested in diving into other investment instruments, consider this set of most valuable assets in the world in 2025, here.
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