Bytecoin

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.

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

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

• Privacy cryptocurrency
• CryptoNote blockchain
• Anonymous digital currency
• Decentralized payment network
• Ring signature transactions

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Transaction Fees: Users pay transaction fees for each BCN transfer. The network processes payments with fees going to miners/validators.
2. 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

Core 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

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gate.iocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 September 2018One 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.
• PoloniexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe largest BCN exchange in terms of trading volume. Offers BCN/BTC and BCN/XRP trading pairs.
• HitBTCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLarge and innovative Bytecoin exchange featuring other CryptoNotes. One of the most optimal methods of buying Bytecoin.
• LedgercoreTechnology or IntegrationHardware wallet manufacturer. Bytecoin devs submitted pull requests for Ledger integration. Partial support in stagenet as of February 2019.
• TrezorcoreTechnology or IntegrationHardware wallet manufacturer. Fully working Trezor Model T prototype developed. Official issue opened in Trezor repository for integration.
• Mining-pool.guruminorOthersYoung mining pool with friendly interface serving Bytecoin network
• MinergateminorOthersThe largest mining pool with elegant graphics and 2% fees. Also provides block explorer for Bytecoin network.
• Bytecoin-pool.orgminorOthersCommunity-made pool with competitions for miners
• CryptonatorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMulti-wallet platform that securely stores Bytecoin and allows 24/7 transactions
• FreewalletminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMobile-first cryptocurrency wallet supporting Bytecoin with smart and beautiful interface
• EthereumcoreTechnology or IntegrationBytecoin 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/Bytecoin_BCN
• GitHubgithub.com/bcndev
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCM8Y1MOopFzWoqIiOIPPtCg
• Facebookfacebook.com/pg/bytecoinofficial/about/?ref=page_internal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bytecoin