bitcoin

American  

[bit-koin] / ˈbɪtˌkɔɪn /

noun

1. Often Bitcoin the first widely established cryptocurrency, which uses state-of-the-art cryptography, can be issued in any fractional denomination, and has a decentralized distribution system.

   Increasing numbers of stores and online businesses accept Bitcoin.

2. a single unit of bitcoin, the first widely established cryptocurrency.

   The value of a bitcoin has sometimes surpassed the value of an ounce of gold.

---

Usage

What's the difference between bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and digital currency? See digital currency ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of bitcoin

First recorded in 2005–10; bit ³ ( def. ) + coin

Example Sentences

The storied exchange is betting that it can use the distributed ledger technology behind bitcoin to reinvent the very system it spent centuries building.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Centralized, gated and closed on weekends, the New York Stock Exchange is the ultimate architectural symbol of everything bitcoin was created to disrupt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Now, though, he perceives bitcoin is “potentially on the verge of breaking out of this range to the upside and breaking the bear trend.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Last summer, firms were able to raise tens of billions of dollars if they rebranded themselves as crypto-treasury companies to purchase bitcoin and more obscure cryptocurrencies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

A sustained move above $75,200 could be a sign that bitcoin is finally regaining momentum after months of pressure.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026