The price of Bitcoin has continued to rise. Today, it costs more than 10 million yen to buy just one Bitcoin.
However, when Bitcoin first came into existence, it could be bought for only a small amount of spare change. If you had bought Bitcoin 10 years ago, how many times would its value have increased?
In this article, it will clearly explain Bitcoin’s initial price, its price history, and how much profit you would have made if you had bought it 10 years ago, based on the latest information. This is a must-read for anyone interested in Bitcoin.
Contents
What Was Bitcoin’s Initial Price?
Bitcoin (BTC) is a first coin of cryptocurrency. Its rapid price increase in recent years has attracted attention, but how much was Bitcoin’s price at the very beginning?
Let’s look back at the history of Bitcoin and find out its original price.
Bitcoin’s History Goes Back Further Than 10 Years
Bitcoin was born long before 10 years ago.
Its history began with a single paper. On October 31, 2008 (Halloween), the concept of Bitcoin was published by a mysterious individual known as “Satoshi Nakamoto.”
The official title of the paper is “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.”
Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System
Bitcoin：A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System – Satoshi Nakamono
The term “Peer-to-Peer (P2P)” in the Bitcoin paper refers to a system that enables direct communication and data exchange between users over the internet without relying on a central server or third-party provider.
“Electronic Cash System” literally means a digital payment or money transfer system.
The paper introduced a revolutionary idea: with a digital coin, individuals can exchange money directly with one another, without the need for banks or financial intermediaries. Bitcoin was essentially born at that moment.
Bitcoin’s First Appearance: When Did It Actually Launch?
On January 3, 2009, Bitcoin’s first block—known as the “Genesis Block”—was mined. The Genesis Block is the very first block in the blockchain, marking the beginning of the Bitcoin network.
Note: HashA, B, and C will be displayed as actual multi-digit (or longer) data.
Inside each block, a unique Bitcoin hash—data similar to a product code or transaction ID—is stored. Every time a transaction occurs, new data is added to the previous record, linking them together like a chain.
Each Bitcoin originates from its own genesis block and is connected through blocks containing different transaction histories. No two coins share the same block history. Because past records cannot be altered, tampering is impossible, making fraudulent activity extremely difficult.
This system is what we call blockchain.
The very first block of the blockchain—the genesis block—is the true origin and foundation of Bitcoin today.
The first bitcoin genesis block
The appearance of the Genesis Block marked a historic and milestone day in the history of cryptocurrency. Many crypto media outlets celebrate this date as Bitcoin’s official “birthday.”
In 2024, several international media articles were published overseas to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Genesis Block´s creation.
Bitcoin´s Genesis block anniversary
Incidentally, there are two reference points of Bitcoin’s birthday. — one based on the Bitcoin White Paper, and the other based on the Genesis Block.
What was Bitcoin’s initial price?
About one year after the Genesis Block was created, the first recorded Bitcoin price appeared on March 17, 2010. It was only $0.003 USD (around ¥0.46 JPY).
The first notable Bitcoin transaction
On May 22, 2010, the first famous real-world Bitcoin transaction took place.
Programmer Laszlo Hanyecz paid for pizza using 10,000 BTC, an episode that became legendary in crypto history.
May 22 is now known as “Bitcoin Pizza Day,” and is remembered as one of the most astonishing (and costly) missed-opportunity stories ever told.
Who is Bitcoin’s founder, Satoshi Nakamoto?
Satoshi Nakamoto, the person who published the Bitcoin white paper and created Bitcoin, has never revealed any personal details.
Although the name sounds Japanese, his nationality, age, and even gender remain unknown. Some believe Satoshi may not be one individual, but a group. To this day, his identity is still one of the biggest mysteries in the tech and financial world.
Bitcoin Price History (2010–2025)
From its starting price of $0.003 USD in 2010, Bitcoin surged to over $1,000 USD by November 2013—an increase of nearly 1,000,000× in just 3 years.
Between 2016–2017, it traded around $13,000 USD before climbing dramatically again, reaching $68,000 USD during 2022–2023.
In December 2024, following the election of pro-crypto U.S. President Donald Trump, Bitcoin broke past $102,000 USD.
Currently, due to the impact of tariff and trade tensions, it is trading in the $80,000 range.
If you had bought Bitcoin 10 years ago, what would it be worth now?
Using April 2025 as a reference point
- 10 years earlier : September 2015
- Price at that time : approximately $220 (1BTC)
- Price in September 2025 : $117,000 (1BTC)
- Increase: 53,200％
Bitcoin chart (1M) 2015-2025
Profit examples
Bought 1 BTC in 2015 :
$117,000 − $220 = $116,780 profit
Bought $1,000 worth of BTC :
$1,000 × 532 = → $532,000 profit
If you had bought 1 Bitcoin 10 years ago, your profit could be $116,780.
If you had bought $1,000 worth of Bitcoin 10 years ago, Profit could be $532,000.
If you had bought Bitcoin 5 years ago, what would it be worth now?
- 5 years earlier : September 2020
- Price at that time : approximately $12,066 (1BTC)
- Price 5 years later (September 2025) : $117,000 (1BTC)
- Increased : 9700 %
[Profit examples]
- Buying 1 BTC in 2020:
$117,000 − $12,066 = $10,4934 profit - Holding ¥1,000 worth of BTC:
¥1,000 × 9.7 = ¥9,700 → ¥9,700 profit
If you had bought 1 Bitcoin 5 years ago, your profit could be $10,4943
If you had bought $1,000 worth of Bitcoin 5 years ago, Profit could be $9,700.
Why many believe Bitcoin will continue rising
Here are the reasons why Bitcoin is expected to rise.
- It is still in an early stage with major room for growth
- It enables transfers without a bank account
- It offers an easy and efficient method for international remittance
- All transaction history is public, ensuring transparency
- Blockchain technology is highly secure and extremely difficult to tamper with
- There is a limited supply, making price increases more likely over time
But Bitcoin also carries risks
It is also important to know the risk of buying Bitcoin.
- Price swings are extreme
- Markets are sensitive to global economic conditions
- Negative news can trigger sharp sell-offs
A long-term holding strategy, especially buying during downturns, may help reduce risk exposure.
The first exchange where Bitcoin was in Japan
- July 2010: Mt.Gox launched as the world’s first crypto exchange
- March 2011: Mt.Gox was acquired by Tibanne (based in Shibuya, Tokyo), becoming Japan’s first major crypto exchange in practice.
Bitcoin trading in Japan slowly gained traction after 2011.
Where to Buy Bitcoin?
Bitcoin can be purchased through several reliable platforms, depending on your location and experience level.
The most common option is a cryptocurrency exchange, such as Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, or Bitget.
These exchanges allow users to buy Bitcoin using bank transfers, credit cards, or other local payment methods. Another option is a Bitcoin wallet app that includes a built-in buying feature. Some people also use peer-to-peer marketplaces, where buyers and sellers trade directly.
Before buying, it’s important to choose a secure platform, understand the fees involved, and store your Bitcoin safely in a trusted wallet.
To buy crypto before mass adoption is key
The Key to Success in buying bitcoin or cryptocurrency is, to invest before mass adoption.
Before Bitcoin became widely recognised, most people viewed it with skepticism. Yet, those who purchased it for just extremely low price, now hold enormous profits.
In crypto investing, success often belongs to those who act early—before the crowd notices the opportunity.
Let’s Start Buying Bitcoin and Crypto Now
In 2010, when Bitcoin was first created, its price was only $0.003.
What once cost less than one yen is now traded at over ¥12 million just 15 years later.
Many people may find themselves thinking, regretting
“Why didn’t I buy it when it was so cheap?”
However, Cathie Wood, a well-known U.S. cryptocurrency expert, says that
“Bitcoin is still in its early days.”
It’s not too late to get started.
Taking the first step with a small investment can be a smart way to prepare for the future.
Today, even beginners can easily purchase Bitcoin.
Why not start by buying a small amount and take your first step into crypto investing?
