3 Things Every Bitcoin Investor Needs to Know
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By Neil Patel – Feb 13, 2026 at 9:45PM ESTKey PointsInvestors perceive Bitcoin as having value because of its scarcity. Despite its nerve-wracking volatility, Bitcoin's historical performance is unbelievable. The network has never been hacked. These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›CRYPTO: BTCBitcoinMarket Cap$1.4TToday's Changeangle-down(3.47%) $2310.47Current Price$68850.00Price as of February 13, 2026 at 10:23 PM ETAnyone interested in this top digital asset must take the time to gain a better understanding.Bitcoin (BTC +3.47%) is an extremely volatile asset. This has been a notable trend in recent months. The world's top cryptocurrency is trading 46% below its peak as of this writing. Perhaps it's a good idea to buy the dip. First, though, it's important to gain a better understanding. Here are three things every Bitcoin investor needs to know. Image source: Getty Images. Bitcoin's most valuable characteristic Any Bitcoin investor must know that there will only ever be 21 million units in circulation. This is a hard supply cap etched in the software via halving events that reduce the number of new Bitcoin units mined by a factor of 2 roughly every four years. It makes this asset extremely predictable, as the inflation rate is predetermined. That finite supply contrasts starkly with the current monetary system. Governments continue to run up their debt balances, with rising money supplies. There's no end in sight to this financial mismanagement. This is especially true in the U.S. Bitcoin's fixed-supply structure is superior, as market participants aren't seeing their positions being constantly debased. One of the best-performing assets BlackRock once put out a graphic with an eye-popping statistic. During the 11-year stretch between the start of 2013 and the end of 2023, Bitcoin outperformed every other asset class. The following year, in 2024, it climbed another 120%. In the past decade, Bitcoin's price has skyrocketed 17,000%. Investors worried about the recent dip should zoom out. It's hard not to get excited by this sort of monumental gain. That's what happens when an entirely new financial instrument, once viewed as a worthless internet currency in the early days, evolves into a globally recognized asset attracting interest from individuals, corporations, asset managers, and governments. ExpandCRYPTO: BTCBitcoinToday's Change(3.47%) $2310.47Current Price$68850.00Key Data PointsMarket Cap$1.4TDay's Range$66030.00 - $69277.0052wk Range$60255.56 - $126079.89Volume41B Running smoothly despite industry headaches Last month, Bitcoin celebrated its 17th birthday. In January 2009, the first block was mined on the blockchain. Despite a nearly two-decade lifespan, the Bitcoin network has never been hacked. Most people might not realize this fact. This could be surprising, given the high-profile blow-ups in the crypto industry. In the early 2010s, the Mt. Gox exchange was breached. In 2022, FTX went bankrupt after misusing customer funds. When these failures occur, investors can easily lose confidence in digital assets. However, Bitcoin has stood the test of time. This points to its resilience. Investors now know more about this crypto to make an informed portfolio decision. Read NextFeb 13, 2026 •By Chris MacDonald3 Macro Drivers Providing Big Catalysts for Bitcoin's 5% Surge Higher TodayFeb 13, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiCrypto Crash: Is Bitcoin Still the Best Cryptocurrency to Buy After This Sell-Off?Feb 13, 2026 •By Adam LevyWill Bitcoin Keep Falling After Its 50% Decline or Is It Time to Buy? History Offers a Clear Answer.Feb 12, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiBitcoin Leads a Fresh Crypto Slide: Here's What It Means for Ethereum and Solana InvestorsFeb 12, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiThis 1 Quantum Computing Rumor Is Making Investors Sell Their Bitcoin. Don't Fall for ItFeb 11, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiBitcoin and XRP Are Crashing.
Should You Buy the Dip?About the AuthorNeil Patel is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering consumer staples, consumer discretionary, financials, information technology, and communication services. Prior to The Motley Fool, Neil worked in corporate finance roles at JPMorgan Chase and Capital One. He also has experience working on a start-up in the cryptocurrency space. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance from Ohio State University.TMFNeilPatelStocks MentionedBitcoinCRYPTO: BTC$68850.00 (+3.47%) $+2310.47BlackRockNYSE: BLK$1071.51 (+1.50%) $+15.88*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.