Back Link
Reader View

Bitcoin and ethereum prices today, Wednesday, May 6, 2026: Prices up; bitcoin at highest level since January

finance.yahoo.com · Wed, May 6, 2026 at 7:21 PM GMT+8

Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) opened at $80,900.77 on Wednesday, 1.3% higher than Tuesday’s opening price. Bitcoin moved even higher in early trading, surpassing the $82,000 mark.

Ethereum (ETH-USD) opened at $2,360.65 on Wednesday, 0.6% higher than Tuesday’s opening price. Ethereum also rose this morning, just not as significantly as bitcoin, valued at $2,412.01 as of 7:03 a.m. ET.

The opening values of bitcoin and ethereum are both up significantly today. The value of bitcoin this morning was $82,305.01 as of 7:03 a.m. ET. This is the highest price point for the cryptocurrency since January 31. Ethereum’s price was $2,412.01 at 7:03 a.m. ET, the highest value we’ve seen since April 27.

Investors are embracing greater risk this week amid hopes of renewed peace talks in Iran, AI optimism, and expectations that pending crypto legislation will bring clarity and structure for U.S. traders.

Over a five-day period, bitcoin is up 5.4%, and ethereum has gained 5.61%.

The price of bitcoin this morning was 1.3% higher than the day before. Here’s a look at how the opening bitcoin price has changed versus last week, month, and year:

The all-time high for bitcoin was $126,198.07 on Oct. 6, 2025. The all-time low value for bitcoin was $0.04865 on July 14, 2010.

The price of ethereum this morning was 0.6% higher than it was early Tuesday. Here’s a look at how the opening ethereum price has changed versus last week, month, and year:

The all-time high for ethereum was $4,953.73 on Aug. 24, 2025. The all-time low value for ethereum was $0.4209 on Oct. 21, 2015.

Bitcoin, ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies are rapidly evolving. Follow the latest developments from Yahoo Finance and others here.

You generally owe taxes when you sell cryptocurrency for more than you paid for it. This also applies when you exchange one digital asset for another. Converting bitcoin into ethereum, for example, isn’t “just a trade” in the eyes of the IRS. It’s a taxable event if the value changes.

Crypto taxes aren’t paid at the time of the transaction, but instead, they’re reported on your tax return for the year in which the transaction took place. So, if you sold crypto for a profit at any point during 2025, that activity is reported when you file your 2025 return in early 2026.

How much tax you pay depends on two main factors:

How long you held the asset before selling

Your overall taxable income and filing status

Hold it for less than a year, and you'll usually face higher rates. Hold it longer, and the rates tend to be lower.

This holding-period distinction matters more than most people realize. A few days can make a difference of as much as 17% or more — so timing matters.

Learn more: Yes, crypto is taxed. Here’s when you have to pay.

Whether you’re brand new to tracking the value of bitcoin and ethereum or a more seasoned crypto investor, Yahoo Finance’s price-of-bitcoin and price-of-ethereum charts below show a visual history of how the currencies’ value continues to move and evolve.

More on crypto from the Yahoo Finance team:

How to trade crypto: A step-by-step guide

President Trump called for a strategic bitcoin reserve. How it would work.

How to buy ethereum — and what to know before you do

Financial advisors are reversing course on cryptocurrencies as an investment. So what happens when the next crypto crash occurs?

Is the recent bitcoin slump a buying opportunity? Discover the safest ways to buy and store bitcoin in 2026.

From how to buy bitcoin to how it works — find out what you should know about bitcoin as a cryptocurrency.

Before you place your first trade, it's important to understand what cryptocurrency is and how it works. Learn how to invest in crypto in 3 steps.

Ethereum is becoming a staple in modern digital portfolios. Learn how to choose your investment strategy, pick the right platform, execute the trade, and more.

President Trump is proposing holding and even adding to the government’s bitcoin store, a significant departure from the previous administration. Here's how the strategic bitcoin reserve would work.