Bitcoin Death Timeline: 467 Failed Predictions and Counting

Bitcoin has been declared dead 467 times by mainstream media and financial analysts since its inception, with the latest obituary recorded in February 2026.

Despite repeated claims of its demise from prominent critics at CNBC and Bloomberg, the digital asset continues to rebound, hitting significant price recovery milestones.

Key Takeaways

• Bitcoin has survived 467 official "death" declarations as of late February 2026.

• An investment of 100 dollars during each declared death would be worth over 68 million dollars today.

• Historical "deaths" typically peak during bear markets, such as in 2011, 2017, and the 2022 downturn.

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Bitcoin Death Timeline: Historical Peaks of Financial Skepticism

The timeline of Bitcoin obituaries shows a direct correlation between price corrections and a surge in negative media coverage.

The first major obituary occurred in 2010 when Bitcoin was valued at just 0.11 dollars, followed by a spike in 2011 when it dropped to 1 dollar.

Critics reached a peak in 2017 with 93 death predictions, many of which labeled the asset a Ponzi scheme during its high-profile climb to 20,000 dollars.

Recent data shows that even as Bitcoin trades near 68,000 dollars in early 2026, skepticism remains a recurring theme among institutional traditionalists.

Read more: It's Not Funny, but What Happens if Bitcoin Becomes $0?

Why Critical Predictions Continually Fail

Most Bitcoin obituaries are triggered by short-term volatility, where drawdowns of 50 percent or more are mistaken for a total collapse of value.

Critics often fail to account for the fundamental resilience provided by the Bitcoin halving cycles and the increasing security of the global mining network.

The introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs and adoption by nation-states has provided a new layer of institutional support that prior "death" cycles lacked.

Google Trends data reveals that searches for "What is Bitcoin?" often spike during these dips, suggesting that market fear actually drives new user education.

The Cost of Premature Eulogies

The financial impact of following mainstream "death" warnings has proven to be an expensive mistake for retail and institutional investors alike.

If an investor had ignored the 467 obituaries and instead purchased 100 dollars of BTC at each event, they would own approximately 1,043 BTC today.

At a current price of 68,095 dollars, that hypothetical portfolio would be valued at approximately 68,418,971 dollars as of February 26, 2026.

This calculation highlights the disconnect between sensationalist media narratives and the actual long-term performance of the decentralized asset class.

Conclusion

The "Bitcoin Is Dead" narrative has become a meme within the crypto community, serving as a contrarian indicator for market bottoms.

While high-profile critics like Peter Schiff continue to top the obituary list, the network's growing adoption continues to invalidate their claims.

Resilience in the face of 467 failed predictions suggests that Bitcoin has transitioned from an experimental asset to a permanent fixture of global finance.

As the counter continues to tick upward, the history of these obituaries remains a testament to the persistent gap between traditional financial theory and digital reality.

FAQ

What counts as an official Bitcoin death or obituary?

A death is recorded when a person with a significant following or a major news outlet explicitly states that Bitcoin is worthless or has failed.

How many times has Bitcoin been declared dead?

As of late February 2026, Bitcoin has been officially declared dead 467 times by various unique critics and publications.

Who is the most frequent critic of Bitcoin?

Gold advocate Peter Schiff holds the record for the most Bitcoin obituaries, having declared the asset dead 21 times.

When was the first Bitcoin obituary published?

The first recorded death prediction was published on October 15, 2010, when Bitcoin was trading at a price of 0.11 dollars.

Where can I track the live Bitcoin death counter?

The most comprehensive database for these predictions is maintained at bitcoindeaths.com, which tracks obituaries dating back to 2010.

Disclaimer: The views expressed belong exclusively to the author and do not reflect the views of this platform. This platform and its affiliates disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy or suitability of the information provided. It is for informational purposes only and not intended as financial or investment advice.