The Timeline
Relive Bitcoin's historic 4 bull runs and the moments that changed lives.
Future
Next Bitcoin halving (estimated 2028)
The next scheduled subsidy reduction is expected around block 1,050,000, lowering the reward from 3.125 to 1.5625 BTC per block. It will continue Bitcoin's programmed reduction in new issuance.
Launch or rollout
The calendar date is an estimate because the protocol responds to block height, not a fixed date.
Today
04
The 2025 bull run
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The recovery from the 2022 low led into a period with spot Bitcoin products, bank custody services and a broader institutional presence.
Bitcoin completes its fourth halving
At block 840,000, the Bitcoin protocol reduced the mining subsidy from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC per block. The programmed issuance schedule continued to slow the creation of new bitcoin.
Launch or rollout
The halving reduced new issuance, not the amount of bitcoin already held.
PayPal begins external wallet transfers
PayPal began rolling out transfers of supported crypto, including Bitcoin, between its service and outside wallets or exchanges. Customers gained a way to move coins beyond hosted balances.
Launch or rollout
The separate August 12 update covered all eligible U.S. account holders; June 7 was the limited rollout.
03
The 2021 bull run
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Bitcoin's rise unfolded through a pandemic, a changing economy and new routes into regulated financial products. The year's two peaks became another chapter in its market cycles.
Purpose launches a Canadian Bitcoin ETF
Purpose announced that its Bitcoin ETF was available, with BTCC.B and BTCC.U units starting trading that day on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The fund offered direct Bitcoin exposure through an exchange-traded product.
Launch or rollout
This Canadian product was distinct from U.S. futures products and later U.S. spot ETP approvals.
PayPal broadens U.S. crypto access
PayPal reported that all eligible U.S. account holders could buy, hold and sell supported cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. It added hosted crypto access inside an existing payments account.
Launch or rollout
This November 12 rollout update followed the October 21 announcement; it did not establish external-wallet transfers or merchant checkout.
MicroStrategy reports a Bitcoin purchase
MicroStrategy reported buying 21,454 BTC for $250 million, including fees and expenses. This documented a company using its own funds to acquire Bitcoin.
Reported use
August 11 is the report date, not every individual purchase date or a statement of current holdings.
OCC clarifies crypto custody permission
The OCC clarified that U.S. national banks and federal savings associations could provide customer cryptocurrency custody. It clarified permission for a banking service involving crypto assets.
Permission
Permission covered crypto assets beyond Bitcoin; it did not prove a bank launched the service or invested its own funds.
Bitcoin completes its third halving
At block 630,000, the Bitcoin protocol reduced the mining subsidy from 12.5 to 6.25 BTC per block. The programmed issuance schedule continued to slow the creation of new bitcoin.
Launch or rollout
The halving reduced new issuance, not the amount of bitcoin already held.
Stripe announces a Bitcoin payments withdrawal
Stripe announced a wind-down of Bitcoin payment processing, with a planned stop on April 23, 2018. This records a payment service withdrawing support rather than adoption always expanding.
Announcement
The node dates the announcement. Later stablecoin support does not establish that Bitcoin processing resumed.
CME lists Bitcoin futures
CME introduced Bitcoin futures for the December 18 trade date, following its December 1 listing notice. It added exchange-traded derivatives infrastructure for Bitcoin exposure.
Launch or rollout
This is the trade date, not a claim about the first evening session. Futures are distinct from spot ETFs.
02
The 2017 bull run
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The recovery from the 2015 low developed into a new wave of attention. Bitcoin moved from a specialist interest into everyday conversations about digital money.
Bitcoin completes its second halving
At block 420,000, the Bitcoin protocol reduced the mining subsidy from 25 to 12.5 BTC per block. The programmed issuance schedule continued to slow the creation of new bitcoin.
Launch or rollout
The halving reduced new issuance, not the amount of bitcoin already held.
Coinbase opens its exchange
Coinbase announced that customers in its then-supported U.S. states and territories could begin trading on Coinbase Exchange. The launch expanded trading access within that service footprint.
Launch or rollout
The announcement did not establish access or regulatory approval in every state.
Microsoft adds Bitcoin account funding
Microsoft announced that U.S. customers could use BitPay to convert Bitcoin into account funds for selected digital content. It added another way to fund eligible digital purchases.
Launch or rollout
Bitcoin funded account credit; the announcement did not cover every Microsoft product or direct payment for all services.
01
The 2013 bull run
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Bitcoin's next rise brought it into a wider public conversation. Two surges in the same year made 2013 a defining chapter of its early market history.
Bitcoin completes its first halving
At block 210,000, the Bitcoin protocol reduced the mining subsidy from 50 to 25 BTC per block. Bitcoin's programmed supply schedule made its first step toward lower new issuance.
Launch or rollout
The halving reduced new issuance, not the amount of bitcoin already held.
WordPress.com accepts Bitcoin for upgrades
WordPress.com announced that customers could pay for its upgrades with Bitcoin. It added Bitcoin as a payment option for that publishing service.
Launch or rollout
This described WordPress.com at that date, not every WordPress site or current payment availability.