Bitcoin (BTC)
BTC

Bitcoin

Layer 1 / store of value · 2009

BTC
SpotPerpetual

Key figures

ConsensusProof of Work (PoW / SHA-256)
Max supply21,000,000 BTC

Overview

Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency proposed by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 and launched in 2009. Its supply is capped at 21 million, and its security has been tested for more than a decade. It is often called digital gold.

Highlights

  • Supply is capped at 21,000,000. The block reward halves every 210,000 blocks, about every four years, which slows new issuance.
  • It runs on a peer-to-peer network. Value can move globally without a bank or a central issuer.
  • It uses proof of work, and the network has accumulated a very large amount of hash power, which raises the cost of rewriting history.

Token model

The cap is 21 million. By 2026 more than 19.7 million had been mined. The block reward halves about every four years, so new supply slows over time.

FAQ

What is Bitcoin (BTC)?

Bitcoin is the first widely used decentralized cryptocurrency. It was launched in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. A shared ledger lets people transfer value without a trusted intermediary.

What is Bitcoin’s total supply?

The maximum is 21,000,000. The protocol does not add coins beyond that cap, which is why Bitcoin is treated as scarce.

How do you trade Bitcoin on bitFlyer?

You can transfer USDT and trade the BTC/USDT spot pair when it is listed. BTCUSDT perpetuals, if listed, can be used for long or short positions. The leverage available is the limit shown on that contract, not a fixed promise.