Bitcoin was trading at $71,970.80 at 6:15 a.m. Eastern Time, up $7,631.47 from the previous morning and 11.86%. It was 11.02% above its level a month earlier but 37.01% below its price a year earlier, or about $42,300 lower. Bitcoin's market capitalization was around $1.33 trillion, compared with about $233 billion for Ethereum. Created in 2009, Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that operates on a peer-to-peer network rather than through a central bank or government. Its price has risen more than 15,000% over roughly the past decade, though sharp corrections and rapid rallies underscore its risks. Bitcoin ended 2025 about 30% below its October record high of $126,198.07, reached on Oct. 6, 2025. Speculation, corporate adoption, economic conditions and regulatory developments can all affect its price. Investors can gain exposure by buying Bitcoin through an exchange, investing in a Bitcoin ETF, purchasing crypto-related stocks or opening a Bitcoin IRA. As of 6:15 a.m. on Aug. 20, 2026, Ethereum traded at $2,286.60, Tether at $0.99 and XRP at $1.15. Bitcoin may suit investors who can tolerate substantial volatility and hold for the long term, but diversification and investing only money not needed soon remain important considerations.