How much is a bitcoin worth? As of July 2023, a single bitcoin is valued at over R$100,000 (approximately $20,000). However, this digital asset is divisible, much like a kilogram of gold. This means you can purchase tiny fractions of bitcoin for as little as R$1 without losing functionality.
One of the key features of virtual assets is the ability to verify the origin of each fraction of the currency. Thus, security is a major factor contributing to bitcoin's value.
Learn how much a bitcoin is worth, where its value comes from, and its price potential in the coming years.
How Much Is a Bitcoin Worth?
Bitcoin (BTC) surged in the first half of 2023, reaching nearly R$148,000** (~$30,500). This doesn’t mean the asset is "cheap" or "expensive"—just as a kilogram of gold costs over R$230,000. However, **with just R$20, you can buy 13,333 satoshis, the smallest fraction of bitcoin.
Similarly, a gold buyer can invest R$50 and purchase 4,985 micrograms of the precious metal, though this requires specialized knowledge and precision tools. In short, unit price alone offers little insight into an asset’s total market value.
What’s the Relationship Between a Satoshi and a Whole Bitcoin?
A satoshi is the smallest bitcoin fraction defined in the protocol, using 8 decimal places. It’s named after Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator (or group) behind Bitcoin.
- 1 satoshi = 1 / 100 million of 1 bitcoin (e.g., 20 million satoshis = 0.20 BTC).
- The "satoshi" isn’t a standalone currency—it’s a unit of measure, like grams of gold.
What Is Bitcoin’s Market Value?
Bitcoin’s total market capitalization is calculated by multiplying circulating supply by its latest price. This standard market metric applies to stocks, commodities, or real estate.
As of mid-2023, ~19.5 million bitcoins circulate, trading at ~R$150,000 each. This results in a **market cap of R$2.925 trillion**, comparable to other financial assets.
Where Can You Track Bitcoin’s Price?
On the Mercado Bitcoin (MB) trading dashboard, you can monitor real-time prices without registering.
Note: Bitcoin’s price varies across exchanges due to differing fees, liquidity, and user demographics. Similarly, its USD value may differ from Brazil’s market even after currency adjustments.
MB users can also track 200+ other listed cryptocurrencies via its Android/iOS app.
Where to Check Bitcoin’s Market Cap?
Aggregator sites (e.g., CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko) compute an average price and multiply it by circulating supply. However, there’s no "official" market cap—prices differ per exchange.
Bitcoin’s Price History
Despite high volatility, bitcoin has delivered significant long-term returns. Its price reflects shifting narratives—from global remittances to censorship resistance.
| Year | Price (USD) | Price (BRL) |
|------|------------|------------|
| 2014 | 323 | 886 |
| 2015 | 430 | 1,832 |
| 2016 | 972 | 3,463 |
| 2017 | 13,888 | 48,205 |
| 2018 | 3,692 | 14,882 |
| 2019 | 7,167 | 29,201 |
| 2020 | 28,980 | 152,762 |
| 2021 | 46,196 | 261,326 |
| 2022 | 16,529 | 88,227 |
| 2023* | 30,611 | 147,746 |
Predicting bitcoin’s price is nearly impossible—it fluctuates with supply/demand dynamics, evidenced by bull/bear cycles.
What Gives Bitcoin Its Value?
Bitcoin was designed to remove money issuance from governments, combating inflation. Its value stems from being a decentralized digital currency with user-defined rules.
Key characteristics:
Decentralization
No single entity controls Bitcoin. Users run nodes to enforce consensus rules, preventing centralized power.
Security
The network is secured by global miners’ computational power, making fraud attempts costly and detectable.
Portability
Bitcoin is digitally divisible and transferable via wallets, retaining full functionality.
Predictable Supply
Capped at 21 million coins, Bitcoin’s issuance slows every 4 years via halvings, enhancing scarcity.
Factors Influencing Bitcoin’s Price
Price changes are driven by exchange-based buyer/seller activity, influenced by:
Market News/Events
Corporate adoption (e.g., Tesla’s holdings) boosts confidence; regulatory crackdowns spur sell-offs.
Monetary Policy
Fed interest rate cuts may drive investors toward riskier assets like Bitcoin.
Geopolitical Tensions
Bitcoin often acts as a hedge during crises (e.g., war, hyperinflation).
Regulatory Changes
Government policies (e.g., mining bans, tax laws) impact investor sentiment and demand.
Bitcoin Price Forecasts
Bitcoin’s price is determined solely by market forces, akin to stocks or forex. While unpredictable, analysts use two approaches:
Fundamental Analysis
Focuses on adoption metrics, network growth, and comparative asset models.
Technical Analysis
Identifies trends using historical price/volume data, though outcomes aren’t guaranteed.
👉 Learn how to buy Bitcoin securely
How to Buy Bitcoin?
Bitcoin trades freely, but exchanges minimize risks. MB—Brazil’s top platform—offers a simple process:
- Deposit funds via PIX/TED.
- Select BTC in the trading panel.
- Enter the amount and click "Buy Now."
Safety Tips for Bitcoin Investors
- Verify exchange registration with local regulators.
- Avoid urgency-driven offers or requests to send funds to individuals.
- Download apps only from official stores.
- Study Bitcoin to prevent user-error risks.
Start trading Bitcoin on MB with as little as R$1! 🚀
👉 Explore Bitcoin investments today
FAQ
Q: Can I buy less than 1 bitcoin?
A: Yes! Bitcoin is divisible to 8 decimal places (0.00000001 BTC = 1 satoshi).
Q: Is bitcoin’s price the same worldwide?
A: No—it varies by exchange due to local supply/demand and regulations.
Q: What’s the smallest bitcoin investment?
A: Some platforms allow purchases for as low as R$1 (~0.000005 BTC).
Q: How often does bitcoin’s price change?
A: Prices update 24/7 as trading never stops.