The dot-com bubble burst around 2000, helping trigger the early-2000s stock-market crash.
During the late 1990s, investors poured money into internet and technology companies. Many businesses received very high valuations despite limited revenue, large losses, or unproven business models. The Nasdaq Composite, heavily weighted toward technology shares, climbed rapidly and reached a peak on March 10, 2000.
After investor expectations changed, technology stocks fell sharply. The September 11 attacks, the 2001 recession, accounting scandals, and corporate failures added to the broader market damage. The Nasdaq ultimately lost about 78% of its value from its 2000 peak to its 2002 low.
The bubble’s name refers to internet-related companies, not to the later US housing boom. Some surviving firms, including Amazon and eBay, eventually became major businesses, but many early online ventures disappeared. The crash therefore separated durable internet models from speculative valuations.