This period saw Bitcoin break into popular consciousness, often through dramatic headlines.

In October 2009, one dollar was equivalent to 1,309.03 Bitcoins .

A retail frenzy drove prices from under $1,000 in January to nearly $20,000 by December 2017.

On May 22, 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz famously paid 10,000 BTC for two pizzas, valuing each coin at less than one cent.

2018 saw an 84% crash, ending the year near $3,200 as regulatory pressure mounted. Institutional Era (2020–2026): To Six Figures