At 9:45 a.m. Eastern Time on May 20, 2026, one Bitcoin (BTC) is priced at $77,070.99. That’s up $505.97 from where it stood yesterday morning and roughly $29,800 lower than it was at this time last year.
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What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin was the world’s first cryptocurrency and continues to be the most prominent digital coin on the market. Its market cap is about $1.33 trillion, placing it well ahead of the next-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum, which has a market cap of roughly $233 billion.
In simple terms, Bitcoin is a decentralized form of digital money. Instead of relying on a government, bank, or central institution, it operates over a peer-to-peer network. That structure allows users to send value directly to one another, without an intermediary.
Many people are attracted to Bitcoin as a potential way to protect against inflation in the U.S. dollar or as a way to diversify their investments. Over the past decade, its gains have been striking, often beating the returns of major stock indices, which has made it a particularly compelling asset for some investors.
On the flip side, Bitcoin (like other cryptocurrencies) is subject to intense volatility and sudden price moves.
Bitcoin price history
Since Bitcoin came on the scene in 2009, its history has been dramatic. In the early years, developer and early advocate Laszlo Hanyecz made history by paying 10,000 Bitcoins for pizza; at the time of this writing, that same amount of Bitcoin would be valued at over $668 million.
Across roughly the last decade or so, Bitcoin’s value has climbed more than 15,000%. That remarkable run has come with plenty of turbulence, as digital currencies are notoriously unpredictable. There have been periods where Bitcoin lost tens of thousands of dollars within a few months, as well as stretches where it surged just as aggressively. By the end of 2025, its price was about 30% below the record high it hit just a few months earlier.
What affects Bitcoin’s price?
Bitcoin’s price is shaped by a mix of different factors, such as:
- Investor speculation: Similar to many other speculative assets, Bitcoin’s price often reflects investor mood and buzz. Short-term pricing tends to be driven more by trader expectations and speculative activity than by long-term fundamentals.
- Adoption by major companies: As major corporations integrate crypto and accept Bitcoin as payment, it can open up additional growth potential. Bitcoin’s price, for example, moved higher after announcements from companies like Tesla and Ferrari that they would accept Bitcoin for certain transactions.
- Economy: While Bitcoin does not move in lockstep with inflation readings or Federal Reserve policy like some traditional assets, it does tend to fare better when the U.S. economy is strong. When consumers feel more financially secure, they may be more comfortable exploring riskier assets like crypto.
- Regulatory developments: Because cryptocurrency is still a relatively new asset class, regulators are still building the rulebook. New laws, restrictions, or guidance can unsettle investors and influence Bitcoin’s price.
How to buy and invest in Bitcoin
There are multiple avenues for investing in Bitcoin. Here are a few of the most common approaches.
Buy Bitcoin on a cryptocurrency exchange
Purchasing Bitcoin directly is one of the most popular ways to invest. You open an account with a cryptocurrency exchange, link it to your bank account, and then use your cash to buy Bitcoin.
Invest in Bitcoin ETFs
If managing your own crypto isn’t appealing, you can opt for a Bitcoin-focused ETF instead. A Bitcoin ETF holds Bitcoin for investors, and its shares trade on traditional stock exchanges. This lets you gain exposure to Bitcoin without setting up a separate wallet or worrying about losing access to your holdings due to password or wallet issues.
Buy crypto stocks
Another path is to invest in companies tied to the crypto ecosystem. These can include technology firms, publicly traded crypto exchanges, or payment processors. Because these companies may hold or use Bitcoin in their business operations, owning their stock allows you to invest indirectly into Bitcoin.
Open a Bitcoin IRA
For retirement investors, a Bitcoin IRA offers a way to add crypto to a tax-advantaged account. This type of account operates like a traditional or Roth IRA in terms of tax treatment and contribution limits, but it allows you to allocate funds to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as alternative assets.
Bitcoin vs. other cryptocurrencies
Although Bitcoin is the most talked-about cryptocurrency, you have several other options to consider. As you weigh where to invest, you may also want to look at.
- Ethereum: Ethereum ranks second behind Bitcoin in terms of size. Unlike Bitcoin, its primary purpose isn’t to function as a digital currency; instead, it was created as a decentralized platform that developers use to run applications and smart contracts.
- Tether: Tether belongs to a category called stablecoins, which are designed to track the value of another asset. Tether is pegged to the U.S. dollar, which helps reduce price swings relative to Bitcoin but also limits its growth potential.
- XRP: XRP focuses on international money transfers and is built to move funds across borders quickly and with minimal fees.
Crypto coverage from Fortune
Want to stay informed as crypto continues to evolve? See recent reporting on the topic here:
- Harvard sold off its entire $87 million Ethereum stake just one quarter after buying it
- A strip club scandal at a major crypto industry event triggers sponsor backlash
- Wallet makers are the quiet backbone of the crypto industry
Is it a good time to invest in Bitcoin?
When compared with long-established companies like Walmart and Coca-Cola, Bitcoin remains a relatively recent innovation. That makes its long-term trajectory hard to project with confidence. Even so, its recent track record has been impressive. As more businesses agree to accept Bitcoin as a method of payment, its price may continue to climb, and over time, its price swings could become somewhat less extreme.
Still, you should approach Bitcoin as you would any other investment. Avoid committing money you’ll need soon, and keep your overall portfolio diversified enough so that other assets can help cushion the impact of big Bitcoin price movements.
For many investors, Bitcoin works best as a long-term, higher-risk holding rather than a short-term bet, and it may not be suitable for people who are uncomfortable with large price drops. If you’re prepared to ride out volatility and treat Bitcoin as one component of a broader portfolio, it may be a sensible place to put a portion of your money.
Frequently asked questions
How much will Bitcoin be worth in 2030?
While the answer is obviously unknowable, crypto experts are generally optimistic about the short-term success of Bitcoin. Some models price it at more than $700,000 by 2030, with conservative estimates closer to $300,000.
What is Bitcoin’s all-time high price?
As of this writing, Bitcoin reached its highest price ever on Oct. 6, 2025, pricing at a whopping $126,198.07.
Can you buy a fraction of a Bitcoin?
Yes, you can buy a fraction of a Bitcoin. Most cryptocurrency exchanges offer fractional investing, meaning you can buy portions of crypto coins. Thanks to fractional investing, you can invest in Bitcoin with as little as a few dollars.
How do I start investing in Bitcoin as a beginner?
If you want to invest directly in Bitcoin by owning the currency, you’ll typically open an account with a cryptocurrency exchange. Once the account is created, you can transfer money to your crypto account from your bank and place an order for Bitcoin and other tokens or coins. You can also indirectly invest in Bitcoin via an ETF or a business that uses Bitcoin.
What can you buy with Bitcoin?
You can use your Bitcoin holdings in several ways, from selling for cash to trading it for other coins. In some cases, you can also pay for purchases, such as with Tesla and Microsoft.
Does Bitcoin outperform the stock market?
Bitcoin has well outperformed the stock market since its launch, but its extreme volatility makes it far less than a guarantee to be a better investment than stocks.