Back in 2011, you'd pay 162 Bitcoins for an iPhone 4s. Back then, the iPhone was still the pinnacle of consumer tech, while Bitcoin was considered a "numbers game" for a select few. By 2025, however, a brand new iPhone 17 is worth just 0.007 BTC. In just over a decade, the iPhone has continued its steady iterations, while the value of Bitcoin has undergone a dramatic transformation. These somewhat exaggerated figures reflect the rise of crypto assets and the industry's transition from wild growth to maturity.
iPhone and BTC: Witnessing the Era in the Price Curve
The price of iPhone 4s was as high as 162 BTC, then the price of iPhone 5s dropped to 5 BTC and iPhone 6s was worth 2.8 BTC; after entering 2017, iPhone 8 only cost 0.19 BTC; today's iPhone 17 only costs almost 0.007 BTC.
From 162 BTC to 0.007 BTC, this is a seemingly incredible curve, but it truly reflects the long-term rise in Bitcoin prices.
Some people joked: "Those who bought iPhones back then missed an opportunity for financial freedom." But the truth is more profound: Bitcoin's rise from obscurity to widespread popularity is due to the accumulation of consensus on technology and the construction and improvement of the encryption industry's infrastructure.
Huobi HTX: A 12-year long-term builder safeguarding industry growth
Alongside Bitcoin, other crypto asset trading platforms have grown deeply embedded in the industry. Huobi HTX, a leading exchange established early in the industry, celebrated its 12th anniversary this year. Throughout this period, Huobi HTX has witnessed the ups and downs of the crypto world, accompanying its users through successive cycles through continuous security development and compliance initiatives.
Looking back at Huobi HTX’s 12-year development history, we can see how an exchange has grown from a startup platform to a world-leading crypto asset trading platform.
● Huobi was founded in 2013: Huobi was born under the wave of Internet innovation. At that time, the price of BTC was less than $1,000.
● In 2017, industry frenzy and regulatory challenges: Bitcoin broke through the 10,000 yuan mark, Huobi accumulated a huge user base, but also faced global compliance pressure.
● After 2020, compliance and internationalization: Huobi accelerated its globalization, continued to advance license applications in multiple regions, and its user scale leaped to the world's leading level.
● From 2023 to 2025, the brand will be renewed and the security strategy will be upgraded: Huobi’s brand will be upgraded to Huobi HTX, opening a new chapter of global expansion; security construction will continue to be upgraded, and the Merkle tree proof of reserves (PoR) will be made public for 35 consecutive months to ensure asset transparency, and the industry’s first “0 freeze + 100% compensation” mechanism will be created in the C2C deposit and withdrawal field, completely solving the pain points of users’ concerns about fund security.
Just like the long-term logic behind Bitcoin's value curve, Huobi HTX continuously upgrades its products and security systems every 12 years to protect the assets of tens of millions of users around the world.
Security is the "hard currency" of exchanges
The most fundamental consideration for users when choosing an exchange is the security of their funds. Bitcoin's decade-long growth is the result of accumulated consensus, and Huobi HTX's rapid development is inseparable from the continuous iteration of its underlying security infrastructure.
Since the launch of the C2C selection platform, Huobi HTX has maintained zero freezes and promised 100% compensation, addressing the risks most concerned by users. Furthermore, the Proof of Reserve (PoR) has been disclosed monthly for three consecutive years, maintaining a reserve ratio consistently above 100%, ensuring "visible security." Huobi HTX continuously invests in key management, hot and cold wallet isolation, and cross-chain asset custody to ensure the safety of user assets.
This obsessive pursuit of security mirrors Apple's continuous hardware iterations. Just as the iPhone 17's MIE hardware-level "memory security" upgrade provides enhanced protection for high-net-worth users and crypto signers, Huobi HTX similarly employs professional technology and rigorous systems to build a layer of security defenses for its users.
In conclusion: Don’t forget your original intention, and you will succeed
The comparison of iPhone prices serves as a footnote to Bitcoin's growth. Huobi HTX's 12-year history mirrors the industry's evolution. If Bitcoin's rising value demonstrates the power of time, then Huobi HTX's unwavering security demonstrates the power of trust.
As Bitcoin has evolved from a niche cryptocurrency to a global financial system, Huobi HTX has transformed from an exchange into a comprehensive crypto financial services platform. It has not only witnessed the rapid development of the industry but also participated in security development and rule-making.
On its 12th anniversary, Huobi HTX not only delivered impressive results but also demonstrated its commitment to long-term trading. Going forward, regardless of Bitcoin's price fluctuations, users will be able to find a core sense of security on Huobi HTX.
About Huobi HTX
Huobi HTX was founded in 2013. After 12 years of development, it has grown from a cryptocurrency exchange into a comprehensive blockchain business ecosystem covering digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investment, incubation and other businesses.
As the world's leading Web3 portal, Huobi HTX adheres to the development strategy of global expansion, ecological prosperity, wealth effect, and security and compliance, providing comprehensive, safe and reliable value and services to global virtual currency enthusiasts.
For more information about Huobi HTX, please visit https://www.htx.com/ or HTX Square , and follow us on X , Telegram , and Discord . For further inquiries, please contact glo-media@htx-inc.com .
