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2013The first $1,000

Bitcoin entered the headlines. Governments began writing rules, a major darknet market was seized, the first ATM appeared and the price crossed $1,000 for the first time.

Year-end price (approx.)

~$730

Block reward

25 BTC

First $1,000

Nov 2013

What happened

1. Mar 18

   The US Treasury’s FinCEN issues guidance explaining how money-transmitter rules apply to virtual-currency businesses.

2. Apr 10

   The price peaks near $260 and then falls by more than half within days.

3. Oct 1–2

   US authorities shut down Silk Road and arrest its operator, Ross Ulbricht.

4. Oct 29

   The world’s first Bitcoin ATM opens in a coffee shop in Vancouver.

5. Nov 18

   A US Senate committee hears testimony on virtual currencies in a hearing that is broadly receptive to Bitcoin.

6. Nov

   Bitcoin trades above $1,000 for the first time.

7. Dec 5

   China’s central bank bars financial institutions from handling Bitcoin transactions, and the price slides.

Why it mattered

In a single year Bitcoin met regulators, law enforcement, retail users and speculative mania, all of which would return again and again.

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