Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency to reach a market capitalization of $1 trillion.
Bitcoin briefly crossed the $1 trillion market-capitalization mark in February 2021 during a powerful rise in its market price. Market capitalization is calculated by multiplying the price of one coin by the number of coins considered to be in circulation, so it can change rapidly as the market price moves.
Bitcoin reached this milestone before Ethereum or other cryptocurrencies. It had already become the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization because of its first-mover advantage, long operating history, broad recognition, and large network of holders and miners.
Market capitalization is not the same as the amount of money invested in an asset. It is a valuation measure based on the latest quoted price, and cryptocurrency prices differ between exchanges. Consequently, the exact time of a milestone can vary slightly depending on the data source and calculation method.