Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a new electronic payment system that removes the need for third party financial institutions. It speeds up transactions while reducing costs and minimizing the potential for fraud. The name “cryptocurrency” points to how it uses “cryptographic proof” to work, AKA a blockchain.

Bitcoin’s concept was first introduced in 2008 when a person going by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto shared a white paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.” In January 2009, the Bitcoin blockchain was launched. 

A new electronic payment system called Bitcoin removes the need for third-party financial institutions. It speeds up transactions while reducing costs and fraud-risk. The name “cryptocurrency” points to how it uses “cryptographic proof” to work, AKA a blockchain.   

Bitcoin has a finite supply of 21 million, which is expected to be reached by the year 2140. Currently, 18.8 million are circulating in the market. Note that Bitcoin represents the concept of the network, while bitcoin (lower-case ‘b’) represents the currency.

Bitcoin is one of the most well-known cryptos as it was the first decentralized currency. 

Currently, BTC’s dominance is above 40%. Bitcoin Dominance is a measure of how much of the total market cap of crypto is made up of Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s influence in the crypto ecosystem could be vulnerable to competition as alternative coins grow in popularity and utility.

The company holds about 8,285 bitcoin in Coinbase Prime custody, a stake now worth roughly $545 million after a $235 million decline in value over the past three months.

SpaceX's $780 million bitcoin stack now down to about $545 million ahead of IPO filing

Starknet has introduced strkBTC, a new wrapped bitcoin asset that enables users to shield their balances and transaction history using zero-knowledge proofs. Announced on February 26, 2026, strkBTC is a native Starknet asset designed to solve bitcoin's “transparency problem.

Starknet Develops ‘strkBTC' to Bring Shielded Transactions to Bitcoin

Welcome to Latam Insights, a compilation of the most relevant crypto news from Latin America over the past week. In this edition, a bill to criminalize crypto-linked foreign currency tax evasion surges in Brazil, El Salvador finalizes its Bitcoin Diploma 2.0 educational program, and Engie mulls adding bitcoin mining to its operations in Brazil.

Latam Insights: Brazil Introduces Crypto Tax Evasion Bill, El Salvador Finalizes New Bitcoin Diploma Program

The death of Iran's supreme leader opens the door to regime change, and markets are pricing in a shorter period of tension.

Bitcoin tops $68,000 after Iran confirms leader killed in U.S., Israel airstrikes

Alleged bitcoin extortion turned violent in Seattle as prosecutors say a suspect posed as a postal worker, forced entry into a home, and demanded cryptocurrency. Seattle Couple Terrorized in Alleged Bitcoin Extortion Home Invasion Extortion schemes targeting digital assets such as bitcoin can escalate into alleged in-person confrontations involving significant violence.

Bitcoin Extortion Plot Turns Violent as Fake Mailman Forces Way Into Home

Mark Karpelès has proposed a Bitcoin hard fork to recover nearly 80,000 BTC tied to the 2011 Mt Gox hack — and the idea was swiftly shut down on Bitcoin Core's Github as spam.

Mark Karpelès Proposes Bitcoin Hard Fork to Recover 79,956 BTC Stolen From Mt Gox

On Saturday, as tensions intensified across the Middle East and U.S. airstrikes targeted Iran, bitcoin climbed from an intraday low of $63,176 per coin to $67,152 by 3:45 p.m. Eastern time. The digital asset now sits 2% higher against the greenback, hovering just shy of the $67,000 threshold. Crypto Markets Whipsaw After U.S.

Bitcoin Erases Iran Strike Losses as Traders Reprice Geopolitical Shock

BIP-110, formerly known as BIP-444, is a controversial proposal that would restrict certain ways of storing data on the Bitcoin blockchain.

Developer embeds image on Bitcoin as a single transaction, challenging BIP-110's core claims

Bitcoin's future hinges less on technological factors and more on how AI affects growth, employment, real interest rates, and central bank liquidity, NYDIG Research argues.

Here's how bitcoin's price rise could be fueled by job-stealing AI software

Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) paused their multi-day inflow streak with a $27.5 million outflow on Friday, while ether funds lost $43 million. XRP and Solana ETFs continued to attract modest inflows. Crypto ETFs See Mixed Friday as Bitcoin and Ether Turn Red The rally finally took a breather.

Bitcoin ETF Inflow Streak Snaps With $27 Million Outflow

JPMorgan said the long-awaited Clarity Act would bring regulatory clarity, boost institutional participation and accelerate tokenization across U.S. crypto markets.

Bitcoin is stuck in a rut but JPMorgan says new legislation could be the ultimate spark

Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) co-founder Michael Saylor has been one of artificial intelligence's biggest proponents, and not long ago stressed the importance of mastering the technology to generate wealth in the modern era. AI: Pathway To Wealth?

News for Bitcoin Crypto (BTC)