According to Glassnode, Bitcoin reached a major milestone on December 5, 2024, surpassing $100,000 per BTC for the first time. This achievement solidifies Bitcoin’s position as a major player in the financial world and highlights its resilience and growing adoption over the years.
market expansion
Bitcoin has been actively traded for 5,256 days since its inception, evolving from a simple concept into a digital asset with a market capitalization that briefly exceeded $2 trillion. During this journey, Bitcoin has navigated 72 positive monthly candles and 71 negative candles, reflecting the volatile yet rewarding nature of the cryptocurrency market.
As of this milestone, 19.8 million BTC has been mined, representing 94.2% of the total supply limit of 21 million BTC. This growth has helped Bitcoin further solidify its position as a valuable asset, surpassing the market cap of silver.
supply distribution
The distribution of Bitcoin ownership is wide, with varying amounts of BTC held in various wallet sizes. In particular, large wallets, typically associated with exchanges and institutional entities, account for a significant portion of the total supply, indicating the increasing institutionalization of Bitcoin custody.
Notable balances as of December 5 include 1.8 million BTC held on exchanges and 1.1 million BTC managed by US-based ETFs. This distribution emphasizes a balance between individual and institutional ownership, contributing to market liquidity and stability.
network evolution
Bitcoin’s network has evolved significantly since the Genesis Block, with over 873,000 blocks mined and a total of 1.12 billion transactions processed. The difficulty and hash rate of the network are significantly increased, ensuring strong security and efficiency.
Miners collectively earned $71.49 billion, including block rewards and transaction fees. The network’s capacity to handle $131.25 trillion worth of transfers underlines its role as a global financial infrastructure.
conclusion
The fact that Bitcoin reached $100,000 is not just a price milestone, but evidence of its transformation from a niche digital currency to a critical component of the global financial system. With a market capitalization of $2 trillion and a dispersed holder base, Bitcoin is well-positioned for future growth and adoption.
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