Buy Bitcoin (BTC)

Easily and securely buy Bitcoin with one of the leading crypto platforms in Europe.

  • Ultra-low trading fees: 0,15%
  • Buy Bitcoin with iDEAL, Bancontact or SEPA
  • Maximum safety with Proof of Reserves
Bitcoin BTC
100.144,98 +1,54%
EUR
BTC
Buy Bitcoin
Trustpilot
  • Headquartered in The Netherlands Headquartered in The Netherlands
  • iDEAL iDEAL
  • SEPA Instant SEPA
  • Bancontact Bancontact
Investing in crypto-assets involves risk of losses.
100.144,98 € +1,54%
Track all markets on TradingView

Bitcoin market data

Current price
100.144,98 €
Market cap
1.994.193.278.766,45 €
Volume
7.973.828.720,79 €
Circulating supply
19.903.137,00 BTC
Trading activity
0% Buy 0% Sell
Buy Bitcoin

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin (BTC) is a digital currency (cryptocurrency) that can be used as a payment method. It is a decentralized network where transactions occur between individuals without the need for a bank or third party. Essentially, you send money directly to another person within the network, with no intermediaries. Transactions are sent and recorded in a digital database known as the blockchain. You can use a hardware wallet to store your Bitcoin. With a hardware wallet you always retain control over your coins. No one, except you, can access them.

Every transaction is verified by thousands of other participants in the network and is only approved once it’s confirmed there’s no manipulation (these participants are called miners). In essence, computers solve complex mathematical formulas to add a new block. Transactions within that block are validated and executed. As a reward for adding a new block, the miners are paid in BTC. The reward is halved roughly every four years. This is called Bitcoin halving.

Some see Bitcoin (BTC) as the new way to carry out transactions, while others consider it digital gold. Additionally, Bitcoin is open source, meaning the source code is freely available and can be used to develop other cryptocurrencies. This makes it extremely secure. If the code is tampered with, everyone can see it.

What is a Blockchain?

Blockchain technology is often regarded as the greatest invention since the internet, but what exactly does it mean? A blockchain is essentially a database where information is stored. Imagine small blocks of information being added to a long chain. Each new block contains details about both the previous block and the current one (such as timestamp, price, wallet address, etc.). If the information in the old and new block doesn’t match, the new block will not be added to the chain.
Official website Whitepaper Github ESG report

Buy Bitcoin with Finst.
Maximum security. Ultra-low fees.

  • Assets are held on a 1:1 basis with audited Proof of Reserves, guaranteeing full backing of customer funds
  • Based in Amsterdam & authorized as a crypto-asset service provider by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM)
  • Buy crypto in EUR with a 0,15% flat fee via iDEAL, Bancontact, or SEPA
As featured in De Telegraaf FD.nl CoinDesk Businesss insider Nederland MT/Sprout De Tijd

Performance

Bitcoin price is over the last year. The highest price of BTC in the last year was € and the lowest price of Bitcoin in the last year was €.
1D return
+1,54%
1W return
1M return
1Y return
YTD return
All-time return
Preview BTC on the Finst platform

Network information

Name
Bitcoin
Ticker
BTC
Network name
Bitcoin network
RPC URL
https://developer.bitcoin.org/reference/rpc
Explorer URL
https://btcscan.org

People who own Bitcoin also own

Explore 340+ crypto

Buy Bitcoin with your favorite order type

  • Market order

    Buy Bitcoin instantly at the best available price. Ideal for quick and easy purchases.

  • Limit order

    Set your maximum price for Bitcoin. Your order will be executed when your limit price is reached on the market

  • Auto Invest

    Automate your crypto purchases on a daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.

Buy Bitcoin

Do more with your crypto

FAQ

  • How to buy Bitcoin?

    Follow the steps below to easily and securely buy Bitcoin.

    1. Sign up

      Create an account with a reputable crypto platform like Finst.

    2. Deposit EUR

      Deposit Euros using payment methods like iDEAL, Bancontact, or SEPA.

    3. Start investing

      Buy Bitcoin and securely store it on our platform.

  • Can I automatically invest in Bitcoin on a recurring basis (DCA)?

    Yes, with Auto Invest, you can set up daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly purchases of your favorite crypto using the Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) strategy. Create your own investment plan and DCA Bitcoin without any action required or additional fees.

    Do you prefer to store your crypto on your external wallet? At Finst, we have various cryptocurrencies enabled for automatic withdrawals, which are sent straight to your wallet after each recurring purchase.

  • What fees do I need to pay when buying Bitcoin?

    When you buy Bitcoin through Finst, you benefit from ultra-low trading fees of 0,15% per transaction.

    Any fees you may encounter when trading crypto are clearly shown for every transaction on our platform.

    It's important to note that network fees are outside of our control, as they are determined by the blockchain networks themselves.

    This means that while network fees may vary depending on the blockchain and current demand, our trading fee remains consistent, helping you better manage your transaction costs.

  • Which order types can I use to buy Bitcoin?

    At Finst, we support several order types to buy Bitcoin: Market Order, Limit Order, and Auto Invest (DCA).

    - With a Market Order, you buy Bitcoin instantly at the best available market price.

    - Do you want to buy Bitcoin at a lower price? With a Limit Order, you set the maximum price you're willing to pay for Bitcoin. Your order will be executed once your limit price is reached on the market.

    - Do you want to invest in Bitcoin without constantly checking the market? With Auto Invest, you can schedule automatic and recurring purchases. Whether you want to buy daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly - you choose the frequency.

  • Can I use limit order to buy Bitcoin?

    Yes, on our platform, you can easily buy Bitcoin with a Limit Order. This allows you to set the maximum price you're willing to pay. Your order will be executed once the price of Bitcoin reaches your limit price or lower.

    A Limit Order is ideal if you want to wait for a better price without constantly monitoring the market.

  • Is it safe to buy Bitcoin?

    Yes, it is safe to buy Bitcoin through Finst. We are authorized as a crypto-asset service provider by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) (no. 41000015), and we are the first and only Dutch crypto platform that successfully obtained a Proof of Reserves (PoR) from an independent and reputable audit firm (Audit Now). At Finst, your assets are segregated and held on a 1:1 basis, plus reserves.

  • Is it legal to buy Bitcoin?

    Yes, buying Bitcoin is legal in Europe. However, we advise you to do your own research before making a purchase.

  • Can I buy Bitcoin anonymously?

    No, due to laws and regulations, it is not possible to buy Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies anonymously on a regulated crypto platform in Europe.

  • Can I buy Bitcoin with iDEAL?

    Yes, at Finst, you can easily buy Bitcoin with iDEAL. We also support popular payment methods like SEPA and Bancontact.

  • Do you have to buy one Bitcoin?

    At Finst, you can start investing in Bitcoin with as little as €1. For many coins, it is not necessary to buy a whole coin.

  • What are the risks of investing in Bitcoin?

    Investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin involves risks of losses. You can lose (part of) your deposit. Before you decide to buy Bitcoin, it is important to understand the risks.

    Volatility: The price of Bitcoin can fluctuate significantly. This means that its value can rise and fall quickly.

    No guaranteed profit: Previous price increases do not guarantee future returns. Therefore, only invest money that you can afford to lose.

    External factors: The price of Bitcoin is influenced by external factors, such as economic conditions and the actions of influential individuals, governments, and institutions. These factors can have a positive or negative impact on the price.

  • How to store Bitcoin?

    You can securely store your Bitcoin in your Finst wallet. Some cryptocurrencies also support external wallets, allowing you to send your crypto to your own wallet if desired. We use state-of-the-art security measures to keep you and your crypto safe.

    We work with Fireblocks, one of the most trusted crypto security infrastructure providers, to safely store your Bitcoin. They make use of Multi-Party Computation (MPC) technology which is an advanced cryptographic technology used to protect your digital assets.

    Additionally, Finst is the first and only Dutch crypto platform that has successfully conducted an extensive Proof of Reserves (PoR) audit. With Finst, your assets are segregated and held on a 1:1 basis, plus reserves.

  • Can I send my Bitcoin to an external wallet?

    Yes, you can send your Bitcoin to an external wallet. With Finst, you can easily send your Bitcoin to a hardware or a software wallet.

  • Can I store Bitcoin on a hardware wallet?

    Yes, you can store Bitcoin (BTC) on hardware wallets such as Ledger or Trezor.

Empower your knowledge with the Finst Academy

Explore the Finst Academy

Additional Information about Bitcoin (BTC)

How does Bitcoin (BTC) work?

Bitcoin is a digital coin that only exists online and runs on its own blockchain. You can’t touch it or print more of it like a regular coin or bill. What makes Bitcoin special is that it doesn’t need a central authority, like a bank or government, to keep it running. Instead, it’s powered by a global network of computers called miners.

These miners are super important. They’re in charge of approving transactions and adding them to a public, unchangeable digital ledger: the blockchain. They do this by solving tough math problems. The first one to solve it gets to add the block with the transactions to the blockchain. This process takes a lot of computer power and is called Bitcoin mining. As part of this process, new Bitcoins are also created and given to miners as a reward. In total, only 21 million BTC coins can ever exist. That fixed supply makes Bitcoin deflationary.

You can store your own Bitcoin in a digital wallet (crypto wallet). You can send Bitcoin to other wallets or receive more of it – all without needing a third party like a bank. You can install a wallet on your computer or phone. Plus, you can also store Bitcoin on platforms like Finst.

Sending Bitcoin? You’ll pay a small network fee. That fee goes to the miners as a reward for processing your transaction. The amount you pay depends on how busy the network is – the more traffic, the higher the cost. Besides the mining rewards, network fees also help keep miners motivated to stay active. That keeps the network more decentralized – and that makes it safer and more reliable.

How does a Bitcoin transaction work?

Let’s say you want to send Bitcoin to a friend. Here’s what happens:

  1. You enter the amount and your friend’s Bitcoin address (kind of like a crypto version of an IBAN).
  2. You hit ‘send.’
  3. The transaction gets broadcasted to the Bitcoin network, where thousands of computers (called nodes) check if everything’s okay.
  4. Once the network approves it, the transaction gets added to the blockchain – the digital ledger.
  5. That’s it! You’ve just made a Bitcoin transaction. Pretty simple, right?

What makes Bitcoin so safe?

The Bitcoin blockchain is known to be super secure. That’s because transactions are verified by thousands of computers (miners) around the world. That makes the network really hard to mess with. In theory, a hacker would need to take control of 51% of the total computing power – also called hashrate – to take over the network. That’s called a 51% attack. But in reality, that’s nearly impossible. It would cost billions in hardware and electricity, and they’d still have to compete with other miners. And if something like that ever did happen, other miners could step in to protect the network.

On top of that, there’s no central control point since miners are spread all over the world. So targeted attacks are nearly impossible. Bitcoin has never been hacked – which is pretty amazing considering how valuable and massive the network is.

Why else is Bitcoin so secure?

The mining system is just one reason. Here are a few more:

  • Decentralized network: The network is maintained by thousands of computers across the globe. There’s no central server or company that can fail or get hacked. Even if part of the network goes offline, the rest keeps running just fine.
  • Blockchain tech: Blockchain ensures that all transactions are permanent and transparent. You can’t change or delete anything unless most miners agree to it. In that case, a hard fork could happen.
  • Encryption & private keys: Only you have access to your Bitcoins through a private code (your private key). Every user has their own key, and you can only make transactions if you’ve got yours. So it’s super important to keep it safe. If someone else gets your key, they can steal your funds.
  • Open source software: Everything that happens on the Bitcoin blockchain is public. You can see every transaction and wallet using a block explorer. This means the whole system is transparent and easy to check for anything suspicious – which helps keep it secure.

Why do people use Bitcoin?

There are lots of reasons why people choose to use Bitcoin:

  • Decentralization: The network is decentralized, so no one – not even banks or governments – can control it or your Bitcoin. You can do your thing without needing anyone’s approval. That job is handled by the miners.
  • Transparency: All transactions are out in the open on the blockchain. That makes the system fair and trustworthy.
  • Limited supply: There can only be 21 million Bitcoin coins. That means it's designed to resist inflation. The creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, wanted it to be scarce on purpose. If demand goes up but supply doesn’t, the price should rise – which is why a lot of people see Bitcoin as a solid investment.
  • Global payments: With Bitcoin, you can send money directly from wallet to wallet – peer-to-peer. You don’t need a bank or any third party, no matter where the other person is. So you could send Bitcoin from Europe to Australia, and skip the crazy bank fees and exchange rates.
  • Privacy: Even though transactions are public on the blockchain, Bitcoin still offers a good amount of privacy. People can see your balance, but they won’t know who owns the wallet. You don’t have to tie your identity to your wallet address.

What’s the difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum?

Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are both cryptocurrencies that use blockchain tech. But they’re pretty different when it comes to how they work, what they’re used for, and their token systems:

Bitcoin was launched in 2009 as the very first crypto, designed as a decentralized alternative to traditional payments. It’s all about being a digital form of money where you don’t need a bank or government. With Bitcoin, you can send and receive payments – and that’s it. It’s super secure, and there’s a hard cap of 21 million coins. That fixed supply makes Bitcoin more stable and inflation-resistant (at least in theory). As adoption grows and supply stays limited, the price should go up. That’s why people call Bitcoin “digital gold.”

Ethereum came out in 2015 and has way more use cases. It’s not just a currency – it’s a decentralized platform. It was the first to support smart contracts, which are digital agreements between people or programs. Ethereum is more flexible and does a lot more than just transferring ETH. Since launch, it’s evolved into a Proof-of-Stake network where developers can build new projects like DeFi apps or dApps. ETH is used to pay for transactions and smart contracts. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum doesn’t have a max supply – which might make it more inflation-prone. But it introduced a burn mechanism that reduces ETH over time, which helps balance that out.

In short:

  • Bitcoin is mainly focused on being digital money.
  • Ethereum is a platform for building apps and smart contracts.

So yeah, both are super important in the crypto space. They solve different problems, and each plays its own role in the ecosystem.

Who are the founders of Bitcoin?

Bitcoin was launched in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto. This is a pseudonym for a person or group who introduced the first cryptocurrency and blockchain database. To this day, the identity of the developer remains unknown. In 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto published a whitepaper titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, describing how digital money could be sent without the involvement of third parties like banks.

The identity of this person or group remains a mystery. Nakamoto calls Bitcoin a cryptocurrency because the word is a combination of 'cryptography' and 'currency,' referring to a secure digital currency.

Speculation about the identity of the founder(s) continues in the crypto space. In the past, there have been searches for clues, but so far, there is insufficient evidence to determine who Nakamoto really is. Some potential candidates include:

Peter Todd

In the HBO documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, Canadian developer Peter Todd is named as a possible Satoshi Nakamoto. However, Todd, a cryptographer who contributed to Bitcoin’s development, denies this identity. According to him, the filmmaker Cullen Hoback used the accusation to generate more attention for the documentary.

Hal Finney

Hal Finney developed a system in 2004 that laid the foundation for how Bitcoin works, five years before Satoshi Nakamoto introduced Bitcoin. Additionally, Finney was the recipient of the first Bitcoin transaction. Though this led to much speculation, Finney denied being Nakamoto until he died in 2014.

Craig Wright

Australian Craig Wright claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto or at least worked with a group on the development of Bitcoin. Though he has repeatedly promised to provide proof for his claim, convincing evidence has yet to be presented.

Why buy Bitcoin?

Bitcoin (BTC) is the oldest and most well-known cryptocurrency in the world. Since its launch in 2009, it has permanently changed the crypto industry. Despite all the developments in the market, Bitcoin remains number one in total market value. This makes buying Bitcoin an attractive option for many people.

Practical Uses of Bitcoin

A major indicator of Bitcoin’s price development is adoption. This refers to the increasing use of the Bitcoin network and Bitcoin as a medium of exchange by institutions, individuals, and governments. Here’s how Bitcoin is currently used by investors and governments.

Bitcoin as Digital Gold

Bitcoin is often called digital gold, and not without reason. Bitcoin is scarce, with a maximum of 21 million BTC that can ever be in circulation. Additionally, Bitcoin is not tied to governments or central banks. For this reason, Bitcoin is seen as a protection against inflation and an attractive store of value. Bitcoin is often compared to gold, which is also scarce and considered a good alternative investment.

The Bitcoin ETF

After years of back-and-forth with regulators, a Bitcoin ETF was approved on January 10, 2024. This approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) gave a positive boost to Bitcoin and the rest of the crypto market. For example, the largest asset manager, BlackRock, now offers a Bitcoin ETF.

An Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is an investment product that can be traded on an exchange without owning the underlying asset directly. For example, an ETF represents the value of commodities or indexes. The Bitcoin ETF makes it easier for institutional investors, such as investment funds and banks, to invest in Bitcoin. This brings new capital into the crypto market, which could positively impact long-term price development.An Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is an investment product that can be traded on an exchange without owning the underlying asset directly. An ETF represents the value of commodities or index, for example. The Bitcoin ETF makes it easier for institutional investors, such as investment funds and banks, to invest in Bitcoin. This brings new capital into the crypto market, which could positively impact long-term price development.

After the SEC gave the green light for a Bitcoin ETF, the regulator also approved an Ethereum ETF. It’s expected that in the future, more cryptocurrency ETFs will be approved.

Bitcoin as legal tender

The idea behind Bitcoin emerged following the global banking crisis of 2008, which severely damaged trust in traditional financial institutions. The solution? Satoshi Nakamoto designed Bitcoin to change the financial system via peer-to-peer transactions. His goal was to create a decentralized and independent payment system, free from banks or governments. In the years that followed, others saw Bitcoin not only as an alternative store of value but also as a potential legal tender. This idea took concrete form in 2021 when the Central American country El Salvador, under President Nayib Bukele, introduced Bitcoin as legal tender.

Argentina is also taking steps toward broader adoption of Bitcoin as an alternative to the peso. The economic crisis in the South American country has led to hyperinflation, prompting more people to seek alternative ways to store value. The newly elected president, Javier Milei, is known for his support of cryptocurrencies. While Bitcoin is not yet legal tender in Argentina, it is expected that Milei's policies will lead to the easing of regulations regarding the use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for payments.

Bitcoin is the market leader in the crypto space

Bitcoin (BTC) plays a crucial role in the crypto market. When Bitcoin rises, many other cryptocurrencies tend to rise as well. If this happens over a long period, we call this a bull market. Conversely, when other cryptocurrencies decline for an extended period, we refer to this as a bear market. Whether the market is in a bull or bear market depends on various factors. One key factor is the Bitcoin halving. Fun fact: The terms bull and bear market come from how these animals attack. A bull strikes upward with its horns, symbolizing a rising market, while a bear swipes downward with its claws, reflecting a declining market.

Bitcoin’s market sentiment also influences trading pairs. For example, if Bitcoin is priced at 10 Ethereum, both coins must change in value to maintain balance. This makes Bitcoin not only the market leader but also an important indicator for other digital currencies.

Does Bitcoin have its own blockchain?

Yes, Bitcoin uses its own blockchain to process and store transactions in a decentralized manner. You can send Bitcoins through the Bitcoin blockchain to other Bitcoin wallet addresses.

How do they create new Bitcoin?

New Bitcoins are introduced into circulation every day through a process called 'mining'. Thanks to mining, new blocks are added to the blockchain by computers solving complex mathematical puzzles. When a block is added, new Bitcoins are awarded to the miners as a reward for solving the puzzle.

A maximum of 21 million Bitcoins can be created, making them scarce and valuable. This is coded into Bitcoin's protocol, essentially an immutable contract. As a result, no additional Bitcoins will ever be minted.

The History of Bitcoin

Bitcoin (BTC) was introduced in 2009 with the Genesis Block, the very first block on the blockchain. Since then, a new block has been mined every 10 minutes. In its early years, miners received 50 Bitcoins per block, but this reward has halved over time due to the so-called ‘halvings.’

Bitcoin's value started small but grew steadily:

- 2011: Bitcoin was worth $1 for the first time.

- 2013: Bitcoin broke the $1,000 mark.

- 2017: It reached a record of $20,000.

- 2021: The price surged to $65,000, with a market capitalization of $1 trillion.

- 2024: Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 mark for the first time.

Bitcoin (BTC) has now become an undeniable part of the financial world, with governments worldwide working on regulations that will make Bitcoin usage safer and more accessible.

With only 21 million coins ever to be issued, Bitcoin remains a unique digital asset, often referred to as ‘digital gold.’

What consensus algorithm does Bitcoin use?

Bitcoin uses the proof-of-work algorithm. This algorithm relies on mining, which involves using computer power to add new blocks to the Bitcoin blockchain. The computer that solves a difficult cryptographic puzzle first gets to add the new block to the blockchain. As a reward, the operator of the computer receives a mining reward, paid out in Bitcoins. The mining reward is halved approximately every four years, a process known as the Bitcoin halving.

Proof-of-work is considered a very secure consensus algorithm, especially because thousands of computers worldwide try to solve the puzzles every day. This decentralizes the network, though it also leads to very high energy consumption. As a result, alternative consensus algorithms like proof-of-stake and proof-of-history have been introduced.

What is the Bitcoin halving?

The Bitcoin halving is an important mechanism in the Bitcoin blockchain that happens roughly every four years. During a halving, the reward that miners get for adding a new block is cut in half. The goal is to reduce the supply of new Bitcoins over time to help fight inflation. As a result, Bitcoin becomes more scarce, which—according to basic supply and demand—can lead to a higher value.

Here are the block rewards and past Bitcoin halvings:

  • In 2009, the reward was 50 BTC per block
  • 2012: first halving, 25 BTC
  • 2016: second halving, 12.5 BTC
  • 2020: third halving, 6.25 BTC
  • 2024: fourth halving, 3.125 BTC

Historically, halvings have often led to big price increases, as crypto investors respond to the growing scarcity. The halving also tends to impact not just Bitcoin, but the entire crypto market.

What’s the Bitcoin price prediction?

No one can predict the Bitcoin price with certainty, but analysts and investors still try based on things like market conditions, regulations, adoption, and tech developments in the Bitcoin network. Specific events like the halving, interest rate changes, or political news can also play a big role. While price predictions might be tempting, keep in mind: they are never guaranteed. Always do your own research and be aware of the high volatility in the crypto market.

Different types of Bitcoin

Bitcoin (BTC) is now an integral part of the cryptocurrency world, but there are several types of Bitcoin and Bitcoin-related tokens that you might encounter. While they all in some way relate to the original Bitcoin network, each has its own characteristics and use cases. Here, we’ll explain the main types of Bitcoin and how they differ from one another.

Bitcoin (BTC)

Bitcoin (BTC) is the first and original cryptocurrency, launched in 2009 by the anonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. This is the coin referred to when people mention Bitcoin. It's the first and official Bitcoin.

Bitcoin’s features include decentralization and limited supply. The Bitcoin network will only ever have 21 million coins in circulation, and this number will never change.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) was created in 2017 because of a 'hard fork' from Bitcoin. This split occurred because of disagreements about how the Bitcoin network should scale. Bitcoin Cash features larger blocks than Bitcoin, meaning it can process more transactions per second. This makes it a popular choice for daily payments, while Bitcoin is more commonly used as a long-term investment.

Features of Bitcoin Cash include faster transactions and lower costs. The larger blocks allow for more transactions per second, which increases speed. Additionally, transaction fees tend to be lower than with Bitcoin.

Bitcoin SV (BSV)

Bitcoin SV (Satoshi Vision) is another offshoot of Bitcoin Cash, created in 2018. Bitcoin SV’s goal is to restore the original vision of Bitcoin as conceived by Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin SV has even larger block sizes than Bitcoin Cash, allowing it to process thousands of transactions per second. This makes it ideal for scalable payment solutions.

Bitcoin SV's features include large blocks, which provide enormous scalability, and it is ideal for peer-to-peer payments and commercial use. Transaction fees are also notably low.

Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)

Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) is a token representing Bitcoin on the Ethereum blockchain. It is not a standalone cryptocurrency but a way to use Bitcoin within the Ethereum network, especially for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Each WBTC token is fully backed by 1 BTC, meaning you always have the value of 1 Bitcoin, but within the Ethereum ecosystem.

The key feature of Wrapped Bitcoin is the bridge between Bitcoin and Ethereum, allowing you to use Bitcoin on a different network. It is integrated into DeFi applications, such as lending, borrowing, and trading. Additionally, each WBTC is 1:1 backed by a real Bitcoin in reserve.

Bitcoin Gold (BTG)

Bitcoin Gold (BTG) emerged in 2017 as another offshoot of Bitcoin. The goal of Bitcoin Gold was to make mining more accessible to people with graphics cards (GPUs), rather than requiring the specialized hardware needed for Bitcoin mining. Bitcoin Gold focuses on decentralization and aims to make mining accessible to a wider audience.

Bitcoin Gold’s features include the ability to mine with regular graphics cards (GPU mining), making mining accessible to everyone. It focuses on decentralization and attempts to make Bitcoin mining available to a broader group. However, most investors will likely just buy Bitcoin.

Bitcoin Lightning Network

The Bitcoin Lightning Network is not a cryptocurrency but a technology that operates on top of the Bitcoin blockchain. It’s designed to improve the speed and cost of Bitcoin transactions. Through the Lightning Network, small payments can occur almost instantly and at much lower costs than regular Bitcoin transactions.

Features of the Lightning Network include the ability to make fast payments with instant transaction processing. Transaction costs via the Lightning Network are typically much lower than regular Bitcoin transactions. It’s also ideal for micropayments.

The crypto platform you'll love

We are here to give you the tools, inspiration, and support you need to become a better investor.

Sign up
Trustpilot