As Bitcoin Soars, Prices Diverge Wildly Across Exchanges

The world's largest bitcoin exchanges are reporting significantly varying prices as the cryptocurrency's price soars to new all-time highs.

AccessTimeIconDec 7, 2017 at 4:23 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 7:14 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

The world's largest bitcoin exchanges by trade volume are reporting significantly varying prices as the cryptocurrency's price soars to new all-time highs, market data shows.

In some cases, the differences amount to more than $2,000 in value, particularly among some of the most voluminous exchanges.

On Coinbase's GDAX exchange, for example, the price of bitcoin is trading above $18,259.00 as of press time. This value represents a significant premium over the price currently being reported on Bitfinex, where bitcoin is trading at $15,592.

At the same time, it's a considerable amount less than the prevailing price on Bithumb, South Korea's most voluminous exchange, and local exchanges Coinone and Korbit, all of which are seeing prices above $19,000 (denominated in the won, the country's national currency).

Additional data from CoinMarketCap highlights the price disparities, though it seems that a number of the top-10 exchanges are seeing prices below $16,000, including Bitstamp, Gemini and HitBTC.

Coinbase isn't alone in seeing bitcoin prices above $16,000. Japan-based bitFlyer is reporting bitcoin prices at $16,719.40 as of press time, while BitMEX is trading at roughly $17,200.

The varying prices come as bitcoin's value surges to new highs. According to CoinDesk's Bitcoin Price Index (BPI), the price of bitcoin has added more than $2,700 since the start of the day's session.

Disclosure: CoinDesk is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which has an ownership stake in bitFlyer and Coinbase.

Rollercoaster via Shutterstock

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.


Read more about