You Can Now Type the Bitcoin 'B' Symbol in Unicode Text

A decades-old computer character standard has been updated with a symbol for bitcoin.

The Unicode Consortium unveiled Unicode version 10.0 today, which includes the bitcoin "B" symbol. Overall, the update includes 8,518 characters, along with 56 new emojis.

The move comes more than a year and a half after the Unicode Consortium, which oversees the Unicode computing text standard, approved a proposal that itself constituted a years-long process. Efforts toward a bitcoin Unicode symbol date back to as early as 2011.

The proposal, submitted by technology blogger Ken Shirriff, was actually the second to be considered by the Consortium. An earlier push by Sander van Galoven of the Netherlands was rejected by the organization.

Image via Shutterstock

DISCLOSURE

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

The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG.

Stan Higgins

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.