Bytecoin
Bytecoin is a decentralized, open-source privacy cryptocurrency launched in 2012 as the first project based on CryptoNote technology, serving users who need untraceable payments and unlinkable transactions through ring signatures and one-time addresses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Bytecoin does
Bytecoin is a decentralized, open-source cryptocurrency launched on July 4, 2012, and the first project built on CryptoNote technology. It is positioned as a privacy-focused digital currency serving users who require untraceable payments and unlinkable transactions, differentiating from transparent ledgers like Bitcoin via ring signatures, one-time address derivation, and adaptive blockchain parameters. The product portfolio spans multiple wallet surfaces — Bytecoin Desktop (v3.5.1 for Windows/Mac/Linux), a web wallet at bytecoin.one, an Android mobile app, the Bytecoin Zero WebAssembly browser wallet, and Daemons RPC software for e-commerce integrators — plus a cross-chain Bytecoin Gateway bridging to Ethereum through the BCN20 ERC-20 token.
The underlying protocol uses CryptoNight proof-of-work mining with 120-second block times, difficulty retargeting each block, and a smooth emission curve that avoids Bitcoin-style halvings. Transaction fees and mining rewards are distributed to network participants rather than captured by the project. Bytecoin distributes through 13+ cryptocurrency exchanges, Trezor and Ledger hardware wallet integrations, and multiple mining pools, supported by localized community managers across Europe, Russia, Brazil, and Turkey.
The project operates without formal corporate governance, venture capital backing, or a traditional entity capturing revenue. Its most recent documented product activity (Gateway, Bytecoin Zero, hardware wallet integrations, Beryl desktop release) clusters in mid-to-late 2019, and the project's official website copyright extends only through 2021, with no recent roadmap updates or press signals in the available data.
Bytecoin firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bytecoin
- Legal name
- Bytecoin
- Website
- https://bytecoin.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Bytecoin is a decentralized, open-source privacy cryptocurrency launched in 2012 as the first project based on CryptoNote technology, serving users who need untraceable payments and unlinkable transactions through ring signatures and one-time addresses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bytecoin industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Privacy Cryptocurrency
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Decentralized Node Infrastructure & RPC Networks (node providers, RPC relays, indexing-as-a-service) (FSAPALAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Crypto Payments & Stablecoin Settlement Platforms (BPAMAFAL)
Keywords
Where Bytecoin is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Bytecoin business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Transaction Fees: Users pay transaction fees for each BCN transfer. The network processes payments with fees going to miners/validators.
- Mining Rewards: Block rewards generated through proof-of-work mining using CryptoNight algorithm. BaseReward formula determines emission.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Bytecoin product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bytecoin operates a decentralized cryptocurrency network built on the CryptoNote protocol, providing a privacy-focused blockchain with untraceable and unlinkable transactions. The project distributes multiple wallet clients (desktop, web, mobile, lightweight browser) plus Daemon RPC integrations and a cross-chain Gateway bridging BCN to Ethereum via the BCN20 ERC-20 token.
Product overview
Bytecoin is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency platform built on CryptoNote technology. The product portfolio consists of multiple wallet products designed for different use cases: Bytecoin Desktop (full desktop wallet for Windows/Mac/Linux), Bytecoin Web Wallet (bytecoin.one, browser-accessible), Bytecoin Mobile Wallet (Android app), Bytecoin Zero (WebAssembly browser wallet combining web and desktop security), and Bytecoin Daemons (RPC wallet software for e-commerce integrators). The platform also includes Bytecoin Gateway, a cross-chain bridge to Ethereum that supports the BCN20 ERC-20 token. The core technology provides untraceable payments via ring signatures and unlinkable transactions through one-time addresses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BCN20: An ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain that serves as a catalyst for Bytecoin's economic growth, facilitating cross-chain expansion and increasing liquidity.
- Bytecoin Zero
- Bytecoin Gateway
Products and services
- Bytecoin Desktop Wallet A downloadable desktop wallet client that allows end users to send, receive, and store BCN with HD wallet support and full node synchronization. It is intended for self-custody individual users.
- Bytecoin Web Wallet A web-based wallet accessible via bytecoin.one that lets users manage BCN directly from a browser without installing a local node, targeted at users who prefer convenient browser-based access.
- Bytecoin Mobile Wallet (Android) An Android mobile wallet application for managing BCN on smartphones, distributed via Google Play, intended for on-the-go individual users.
- Bytecoin Zero A lightweight browser-based wallet that enables users to send and receive BCN transactions without running a full network node, targeted at users wanting fast, low-resource wallet access.
- Bytecoin Daemons RPC server software exposing Bytecoin network functionality through remote procedure calls, intended for merchants, payment gateways, exchanges, and integrators who need to programmatically interact with the BCN network.
- Bytecoin Gateway A cross-chain bridge service that connects the Bytecoin blockchain with Ethereum, allowing BCN holders to transfer value between the two networks using the BCN20 ERC-20 token on Ethereum.
- BCN20 An ERC-20 token on Ethereum that represents Bytecoin (BCN) at a 1:1 ratio, issued through the Bytecoin Gateway so that holders can use BCN value within Ethereum's smart contract and DeFi ecosystem.
Quantifiable outcome
- Block time of 120 seconds with difficulty retargeting each block for fast adaptation to network hashrate changes
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Bytecoin
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Bytecoin technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature12 records
Bytecoin partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Gate.iocoreOne of the largest Asia's exchanges with comfortable fees, robust security system and apps for iOS and Android. Daily trading volume reported over $60 million USD. Partnership announced September 2018.
- PoloniexcoreThe largest BCN exchange in terms of trading volume. Offers BCN/BTC and BCN/XRP trading pairs.
- HitBTCcoreLarge and innovative Bytecoin exchange featuring other CryptoNotes. One of the most optimal methods of buying Bytecoin.
- LedgercoreHardware wallet manufacturer. Bytecoin devs submitted pull requests for Ledger integration. Partial support in stagenet as of February 2019.
- TrezorcoreHardware wallet manufacturer. Fully working Trezor Model T prototype developed. Official issue opened in Trezor repository for integration.
- Mining-pool.guruminorYoung mining pool with friendly interface serving Bytecoin network
- MinergateminorThe largest mining pool with elegant graphics and 2% fees. Also provides block explorer for Bytecoin network.
- Bytecoin-pool.orgminorCommunity-made pool with competitions for miners
- CryptonatorminorMulti-wallet platform that securely stores Bytecoin and allows 24/7 transactions
- FreewalletminorMobile-first cryptocurrency wallet supporting Bytecoin with smart and beautiful interface
- EthereumcoreBytecoin Gateway bridges Bytecoin blockchain with Ethereum blockchain via auditable wallet and BCN20 ERC-20 token. Cross-chain expansion through Ethereum platform.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bytecoin competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Zcash: Zcash is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency using zk-SNARKs for shielded transactions. It directly competes with Bytecoin in the privacy coin category, serving users who want confidential payments, with optional transparent addresses.
- Beam: Beam is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency using Mimblewimble protocol for confidential transactions. Comparable to Bytecoin as a privacy-by-default chain targeting fungibility and unlinkable transfers.
- Dash: Dash is a payments-oriented cryptocurrency with built-in privacy features (PrivateSend). It competes with Bytecoin in the privacy/payments crossover segment, emphasizing everyday usability rather than maximal anonymity.
- Verge: Verge is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that anonymizes transactions via Tor/I2P routing and stealth addresses. Overlaps with Bytecoin's focus on transaction unlinkability for retail and merchant use cases.
- Monero: Monero is the dominant CryptoNote-derived privacy cryptocurrency using ring signatures, stealth addresses, and RingCT. It is the most direct peer to Bytecoin because they share the same foundational technology and use cases (private payments), making them head-to-head competitors.
- Firo: Firo (formerly Zcoin) is a privacy cryptocurrency using Sigma protocols and Lelantus. It competes in the privacy coin category alongside Bytecoin, targeting users seeking cryptographic anonymity with regular protocol upgrades.
- Beldex: Beldex is a privacy-focused ecosystem combining a privacy coin (BDX), BChat, and BelNet VPN. It overlaps with Bytecoin's privacy and P2P messaging direction (Bytecoin's Copper release added encrypted messaging).
- Grin: Grin is a Mimblewimble-based privacy cryptocurrency emphasizing scalability and fungibility. Comparable to Bytecoin as a privacy-coin alternative, sharing an open-source, community-driven ethos.
Emerging players
- Secret Network: Secret Network is a privacy-first smart contract platform using Trusted Execution Environments. Comparable in spirit to Bytecoin's privacy value proposition but positioned for programmable/DeFi privacy rather than simple payments.
- Decred: Decred is a community-governed cryptocurrency with hybrid PoW/PoS consensus and on-chain privacy via CoinShuffle++. Adjacent to Bytecoin as an early, governance-focused, open-source cryptocurrency with privacy features.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Bytecoin social profiles
Digital presenceBytecoin financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bytecoin leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Bytecoin funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bytecoin M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bytecoin
What does Bytecoin do?
Bytecoin operates a decentralized cryptocurrency network built on the CryptoNote protocol, providing a privacy-focused blockchain with untraceable and unlinkable transactions. The project distributes multiple wallet clients (desktop, web, mobile, lightweight browser) plus Daemon RPC integrations and a cross-chain Gateway bridging BCN to Ethereum via the BCN20 ERC-20 token.
Is Bytecoin a public or private company?
Bytecoin is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Bytecoin founded?
Bytecoin was founded in 2012.
Where is Bytecoin based?
Bytecoin is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bytecoin make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Transaction Fees are the primary driver. The others are mining Rewards.
Who are Bytecoin's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Zcash, Beam, Dash, Verge, Monero, Firo, Beldex and Grin. Emerging players are Secret Network and Decred.
Does Bytecoin have an API?
Yes. Bytecoin offers JSON RPC APIs for both Wallet Daemon (walletd) and Node Daemon (bytecoind). The Wallet Daemon API enables developers to create wallets, manage transactions, and handle wallet operations. The Node Daemon API provides blockchain data access, block submission, and mining functions. APIs include get_wallet_info, create_transaction, send_transaction, get_transfers, get_transaction, create_sendproof, check_sendproof, sync_blocks, sync_mempool, getblocktemplate, and submitblock methods. The API supports JavaScript integration with features like string-based number handling in JSON RPC requests. Developer documentation is at documenter.getpostman.com/view/5281660/RztfvWnb.
What industry is Bytecoin in?
Bytecoin's product category is Privacy Cryptocurrency. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAPALAG, Decentralized Node Infrastructure & RPC Networks (node providers, RPC relays, indexing-as-a-service), with a secondary code of BPAMAFAL, Crypto Payments & Stablecoin Settlement Platforms. Its NAICS code is 518210 and its SIC code is 6199.