Bitcoin Forum

I've written a proposal for the Bitcoin symbol BTC to be added to the Unicode standard. This would make it much easier to use the BTC symbol in text.

The proposal is at http://righto.com/bitcoin-unicode.pdf (http://righto.com/bitcoin-unicode.pdf). I've successfully proposed the addition of a symbol to Unicode before, so I'm familiar with the process.

Take a look and let me know of any errors. If you are known in the Bitcoin community or represent a company, please let me add your endorsement to this proposal - your support will help sway the Unicode committee.

Thanks,
Ken

Have you looked at https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Bitcoin_symbol before?

Yes, the wiki page is referenced in my proposal. The problem is that BTC isn't in the Unicode standard, so you can't easily use it and need to use a workaround like ฿ or Ƀ or a custom font. By adding BTC to Unicode, the character can be conveniently used everywhere. (This forum uses a special font that allows it to display the symbol.)

hello Kens,

i read your paper. very good work. dont forget to collect the 1000 bits on reddit  ;)


http://bitcoinsymbol.org/

Good work indeed. I fully support your effort of introducing the BTC symbol as a true Unicode standard instead of trying to adapt a existing symbol in its stead.

Unfortunately, I do not represent a large corporation or other influential interest to help with your proposals endorsement, but I can only offer you my encouragement.

This is a great initiative that you have taken. Thanks a lot for doing it. It is too hard to use a Bitcoin symbol anywhere online at the moment. Your initiative could change this. We need every little thing like this to get us to the masses out there.

Even though I can't do much more, you have my support!

Glad to see this and thanks for the effort, will save me in future from always having to type btc or bitcoin in most cases. Always to lazy to lift the hand to the mouse to hit the special character above so just type it out.

When you are done with this you should get onto the computer manufacturers so that they can include a bitcoin key like the Windows key on all keyboards. Bitcoin is going to become so mainstream that we will really need this  :D

Interesting idea, and a needed one i believe, because other than here on btctalk, we can't make btc symbol right now.
What was the other case where you successfully proposed the addition of a symbol to Unicode ?


Not sure if you're trolling or serious, but either way we're long way from there. Currently community is even having a hard time keeping the people we already have..

The proposed character which is closely to real bitcoin symbol is Unicode hex input: Alt +0E3F ( ฿ )

It's time.

how about the proposal dude? its accepted now?

LiteCoinGuy, Za1n, Mickeyb, Rustynomad, runpaint, etc: Thanks for your support.

goosoodude, the character I successfully added to Unicode before is the "group mark symbol", used by IBM computers in the 1960s. http://www.unicode.org/L2/L2015/15083-group-mark.pdf (http://www.unicode.org/L2/L2015/15083-group-mark.pdf)

jt byte: My proposal covers BTC not ฿.

wearehatetherules: I haven't submitted the proposal yet. The Unicode Committee's next meeting is in November.

Ken

How do we show our support for the proposal?  Is there some sort of online petition we sign or is support only useful if we're notable in some way?

Great job.  I really appreciate your work. I hope Unicode Committee can accept Bitcoin symbol soon.

This. I would like to know the same. Is there anything we can do to show support? Hopefully whoever makes the decision knows about bitcoin's rise to legitimacy recently. There's a ticker on CNN Money markets section, it's garnered support from NYSE and is accepted by a couple large players in retail.

Great idea to include Bitcoin symbol in Unicode  :D

Your support here is helpful since it shows the "Bitcoin community" is mostly in favor. So thanks, tspacepilot. Petitions can help for new emojis, but for text characters the Unicode committee mostly looks for examples of the character being used in "running text".  That is, the character needs to be part of text, not an icon or logo. I think I have enough examples, but if you come across the Bitcoin symbol being used in books or magazines, let me know.

Ken

I am in favor of adding it to Unicode.
It's a bout time and it would make things a lot easier.

as long as it does not became a trend with every altcoin out there, and i think this is partially the reason why it was not added yet, i'm supporting this also

Ok but other altcoin barely have any support, bitcoin will be our main currency, and with a 3.5 billion market cap I think it deserves a unicode sign.

I think bitcoin has reached the point to be considered a real currency, so i hope they will implement it soon!

It deserves but if it is needed to sign any document who will do that? we know that satoshi has been disappeared?

Bitcoin foundation? Or the MIT labs that took over the bitcoin development.

Since bitcoin doesnt have any owner i dont think anyone is eligible to sign it. Who signed the document to include the letter "a" in the alphabet?

Good work indeed mate.. Well I'll like to see the Bitcoin symbol on unicode

I don't know about the alphabet as it is old, but i think just in case if it is required who will sign as there is no owner.

I read an article by a graphic designer who wanted to use the Thai Baht symbol for Bitcoin because it was supposedly easier to write, and because it was already in Unicode.

Then there's this:
http://bitcoinsymbol.org/

Maybe you could include examples of people using ฿ or Ƀ, showing that there is already a need for the symbol and that people must resort to using improper Unicode symbols as substitutes.


This Wikipedia article states that people are already using Ƀ in text because there is no Bitcoin symbol in Unicode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C9%83


An entire article about the Bitcoin symbol and Unicode:
http://www.coindesk.com/industry-website-advocate-bitcoins-unicode-symbol/


This article discusses optional uses of Unicode to compensate for the fact that Unicode doesn't have a Bitcoin symbol:
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Bitcoin_symbol

The fact that people have already created several substitutes shows that not only are they attempting to use the symbol in text, but also that there is a widespread need for the symbol.


A discussion from reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/22loxd/%C6%80_not_the_new_bitcoin_symbol/


A request for a Bitcoin symbol to be used as text, and someone offers a custom font:
http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/21382/plain-text-for-the-bitcoin-symbol



And this article says that Unicode has been rejecting the Bitcoin symbol since 2011.
https://medium.com/down-the-hashrabbit-hole/to-or-not-to-4e952961f41



They're making a distinction between people using the symbol and people trying to use the symbol, which isn't right.

Any use of a text symbol to represent Bitcoin should count as a use of the symbol in running text.  Obviously people can't use the Unicode symbol in running text, because there is no Unicode symbol yet.


But this forum does have a Bitcoin symbol which is used in running text, exactly like $ or £ is used.
Check these out, there are probably thousands of examples just within this one website:

So far bitcoin does not have unified symbol and it lacks unified currency abbreviation too. I am surprised that Bitcoin symbol BTCis not used as unicode symbol yet. But then again, do we have to wait some time before currency will be recognized to the point it will be possible to add its symbol to the unicode table? Maybe it is too soon for bitcoin to has unicode symbol?

Yes but if there is no intellectual property claim on in then why would they need anybody to sign it?

Its its really important then for formalities those 2 institutions could assume representative roles, but otherwise it is a public domain entity, so it's the same as letter "a".

Examples of the Bitcoin symbol being used in commerce exactly like the dollar symbol:

   


http://www.trufflemagic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Trufflemagic-Bitcoin-Checkout-Information-Screen.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/reQC1az.png




And that's about all I found so far.

We need to send requests to Coindesk, Cointelegraph, BitcoinMagazine, and see if they have any examples or if they can start using a Bitcoin symbol instead of BTC in their articles.  I couldn't find anything in any of their articles, but I didn't know exactly where to look. 

The next step is reaching worldwide keyboard manufacturers so a BTC symbol is added on keyboards next to filthy $ and € etc. If we managed to pull that one off then we'll know we are all already rich (that's if you are already holding double figure BTCs in your wallet).
Imagine being a pioneer that had a currency before it was added in keyboards worldwide. You know you are a early investor when that happens :p

If Unicode adds BTC, a small company could sell a keyboard with a BTC key and market it to Bitcoin users.  I'd pay .2BTC for one.

Thanks, runpaint for finding those examples! I'll add them to the proposal.

Ken

Now that's something creative  ;D

I support this project! Is there something I/the community can do to support the project? :)

Perhaps he should put his bitcoin address up for donation, or create an account at https://www.changetip.com

If he suceeds he really deserves some donations.

I was just about to point out that one of those examples is in Dutch, which shows that Bitcoin isn't just a logo used by one group.  It's worldwide.

But when I came back to add that, I had a better idea to show the widespread usage of BTC in running text.  Again with links for easy reference:


Spanish:




Croatian:



German:



Greek:



Chinese:




Indonesian:

Hi runpaint. I already have some multi-lingual running text examples in the proposal, but you've found some new languages, so thanks for finding them. The Greek was is especially interesting - I had looked for one in Greek, but didn't find it. I'll add some of your examples to the document.

At this point, there are probably enough examples, so you don't need to spend more time looking.

Thanks again for your help,
Ken

I've mostly been on the Reddit end of this discussion, may be good for reference:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/3j0261/help_me_get_the_bitcoin_symbol_added_to_unicode/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/3jmg9h/proposal_to_add_the_bitcoin_symbol_to_unicode_pdf/

---

A lot of these steps would follow more naturally from the inclusion of a symbol in the Unicode specification.  I'm not sure keyboards would be a priority, though obviously there would be a market for keycaps :)  I think one of the first steps would be mostly to approach developers of popular online editors to include an option to insert the Bitcoin symbol (if not readily available through a generic 'insert special character').  The W3C should also be approached to add e.g. &bitcoin; or &btc; or &xbt; (depending on argument) as a parallel to the € HTML entity.  These are quite separate processes though :)

It's actually a lot easier to insert the symbol than many people think.  We've added it to the Bitcoin Wiki in the same manner as has been done on BitcoinTalk, for example.

I have added a section on inserting the Bitcoin symbol (https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Bitcoin_symbol#Inserting_the_symbol) to the Bitcoin Wiki.  There's at least 3 approaches that are all reasonable to implement (if anybody knows of more, shoot me a PM or edit the Wiki directly; don't want to clutter up Ken's thread).  Some of it could even be automated with a script (run through document, search&replace "BTC" with the symbol).

Having it included in the Unicode specification does mean that all of these workarounds can, eventually (keep in mind that fonts will need updating), be dropped in favor of just inserting the symbol, fitting with surrounding text in every which way, which is much more desirable.

I can't tell you how many times I used to wish there was an IBM groupmark symbol.





Sorry, I didn't notice your actual proposal before.  I've read it now, you already have plenty of stuff.

My other confusion, and the reason I posted so much, is the guy who quoted the Unicode rejection letter from 2011 on page 1.  I didn't read it very carefully, and I thought it was an update saying that your proposal was just now rejected.  lol.

Lol. Yes, my previous Unicode proposal was for the group mark symbol used by IBM mainframes in the 1960s. It was approved, so that symbol will be in the next Unicode release. You may be interested in my related article on mining Bitcoin on a 1960s mainframe: http://www.righto.com/2015/05/bitcoin-mining-on-55-year-old-ibm-1401.html (http://www.righto.com/2015/05/bitcoin-mining-on-55-year-old-ibm-1401.html)


That explains things. For those just joining, my proposal to add the Bitcoin symbol is at http://righto.com/bitcoin-unicode.pdf (http://righto.com/bitcoin-unicode.pdf) and is much more extensive than the unrelated rejected 2011 proposal.

Ken

So why do we need the Unicode approval for this?

Cant we just create a patch for all OS's and include the BTC in it's alphabet? I dont understand why we need their permission to include it in the alphabet.

Can anybody enlighten me?

I've read that before, great article!

Nice proposal.

good work! keep it up!

Unicode is the standard that most computers use to define what text characters exist and how to encode them. In the bad days before Unicode (e.g. the 1990s), different computers used different characters and stored them different ways. If I used Russian and you used Japanese, we couldn't exchange files. But with Unicode, everyone's computer handles characters the same way. I can send you Ӂ ڠ ᅗ Æ א ₳ ☢ 五 and your computer can handle it (as long as you have the fonts installed).

The point is that computer companies aren't going to patch random characters into their OS. But if you get a character added to Unicode, then everyone will support it. The Unicode Committee has the people who decide what goes into Unicode. The purpose of my proposal is to convince them that putting the Bitcoin symbol into Unicode makes sense and isn't just some crazy idea I came up with.

(I've oversimplified somewhat but this is probably already more than you want to know about Unicode.)

Ken

Reading through the proposal again, it is clear that the Unicode people require a lot of detail.  Canonical Category, Bidi Mirroring.  You seem to know what you're doing.

I do see one thing that might be slightly improved, although it may not matter.  Where it says, "(Although
there are factions encouraging the use of alternative characters.)", it might raise the question of whether BTC is the right symbol to add.  Although you later explain why BTC is the necessary character, the previous sentence by itself does not make it clear that all alternative characters are insufficient as well as already existing in Unicode, and that the addition of BTC would eliminate the need for other characters. 

Maybe something like "(Although there are small factions who have given up on adding BTC to Unicode)" which is still accurate but more favorable.

Yeah that's the best idea for big companies that will produce these keyboard something like this prototype:
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/t/bitcoin-keyboard-sign-36745628.jpg

Good work OP. I've wondered about the process behind Unicode symbols before, seems like you only need to get your proposal right. I'm surprised they think there is ownership behind the Bitcoin symbol... But hey... Bitcoin be Bitcoin.what was the Unicode symbol that you successfully petitioned for before?

Previous page:

You have done a great work for the Unicode BTC addition. I hope this time the proposal will pass because I find your documentation very thorough and accurate.

A fantastic idea and all the best of luck. Sorry I cannot help you with the process as it is all beyond me, however you have my support in your endeavour. 

OP - Just seen this thread. Awesome, this 100% needed doing, good luck with your proposal. I'm quite excited about this. Please keep us informed.

Can you imagine the credibility and bragging rights?

Headline:  "Every Computer In The World Now Has The Bitcoin Symbol"

nice proposal  ;D
if your proposal get approved
it will make a big help in bitcoin community..
i also like to have keyboard with BTC ..  ;D

If Unicode adds BTC, I'll teach you how to print a sticker and to remap your keyboard's output so that you won't have to buy a new one for half that price ;)

---

I'm quite supportive of this.  I've worked quite a bit with various minority alphabets and I understand the value of getting symbols into Unicode.

Big ups to the OP!  Thanks Ken!

Can I change for example the right ALT or right CTRL button into the BTC button after it gets into unicode?

I have never used these buttons, and it would be nice. I have a black keyboard, and i can paint the button into a BTC symbol with white paint afterwards it gets revamped. :D

If you OS supports it, yes.  Even if your OS doesn't support it, there may be third party utilities that intercept keypresses (note: be careful as this type is often lumped in with keylogging software) and output something else.

But there are open-source ways (at least on linux) which are quite normal for doing Input Methods which aren't fishy at all.  I tend to use several keyboard layouts because of the languages/scripts I have to use.  @RealBitcoin: once there's a unicode codepoint, you definitely should be able to map one of your keys to it.

This is just a prototype so maybe not such big but at least a key :) to custom keyboards not in the standard one.

Great stuff, Imagine having it on a standard keyboard, that would be quite a statement.

Will be really nice to see it in the keyboard when it goes mainstream, and then to remember "I was there when that guy in the forum posted the proposal"...

Excellent initiative!

Really hope this is approved.

If any social pressure can be applied, this would be a good place to round some up.

Thanks. I'll add Digitalcoin Foundation to the supporters. Any other organizations that are in favor this proposal: just let me know.

Ken

Great to see people with so much vision and drive to improve the "Bitcoin experiment" Thank you OP for doing this, it is time for us to go mainstream and this will raise some interest, if people see this in the

Unicode. We need to put our footprints in cement on Hollywood... The more people seeing this symbol daily, would be a good thing for the community as a whole. How long does this process last, before you receive

feedback on your proposal? Keep us informed on the progress please.  ;)

even it just a small piece i dont mind as long as the BTC key is in the keyboard it will be a nice  ;D

I wish to see a unicoded b symbol 'tomorrow' . It is like asking the whole world to unite.

You can design and order custom Cherry MX keycaps (or complete key sets) at:
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/
Tutorial at:
http://support.wasdkeyboards.com/customer/portal/articles/1518370-creating-a-custom-layout

Basically it's just downloading an .svg file with a default layout, loading it to inkscape (or other vector graphics editor) and adding the symbol you wish.

Currently most European layouts have € symbol at the lower right corner of the E key (Alt Gr + E). Would it be good to place ฿ or BTC symbol to the lower right corner of the B key on these keyboards? I guess on others it would go near £, $ and € on the number row. [edit] The US layout doesn't have Alt Gr. key so I have no idea where Bitcoin symbol would fit. US international layout does have it though.

Btw. you can currently write ฿ with Ctrl+Shift+u, then 0e3f followed by space in Linux and Alt+0E3F in Windows.

Thank you :) that's it, a small button somewhere and all bitcoin users happy :)


That's interesting so our dream can become true :) BTC symbol to be in the "B" key and  Alt + B should give the "BTC"

Yea a fucking keylogger is the last thing I need, but if its possible to do manually on my own without installing anything would be good.

The problem is that I can already see scammers selling softwares to add bitcoin button which then would steal passwords. So we need to be careful what to install in our PC.

Great Idea
what is the way to support it ?

Right, although if Ken's proposal is accepted, you won't want to write 0E3F anymore, but use the new codepoint instead.

can you explain the bold part. I don't understand what to do. I mean should I type in 0e3f with ctrl+shift down
also when I press Ctrl+Shift+u a popup comes up showing my cpu+... usage that I had no idea was there :)

You have bolded the Windows part, but telling me your trying the Linux part so I don't quite follow you. Maybe I'll rephrase it with little more detail.

If you are on Linux:

1. Press and hold CTRL+Shift and then u (You enter Unicode input mode. Underline will appear below the letter u like this: u.)
2. Release all keys and type the hex code: 0e3f
3. Press Spacebar  (u0e3f changes into ฿.)


About Windows I can give no exact instructions as I'm not running one.

You can try following methods:
 
1. Press and hold down the Alt key
2. Press numpad +
3. Type the hex code: 0e3f
4. Release Alt

or

1. Press and hold down the Alt key
2. Type on numpad: 3647 (3647 is the same hex code in decimal)
3. Release Alt

I cant type alt + 0e3f, also the other Alt + 3647 gives me a question mark "?", not the bitcoin symbol

I'm all in for this proposal. it would simply great to have the BTC accessible in any system.
I think that this should have already been made long time ago!

I have ฿ on my keyboard. Just have to change my local to Thai and press Shift+7. It's also printed on the keycap for extra convenience. (All keycaps have both international and Thai stickers)

How can i have it too, should i install any addition app? I would be really happy to have  ฿ on my keyboard

In Windows:
-> Control Panel -> Clock, Language, and Region -> Language
Click add a language. Add Thai.

Use language bar to switch to Thai input language, and voilà. Now you can type Thai letters easily.

I wish you luck in your endeavor, but I feel like until Bitcoin gains a lot more traction, something as big as unicode isn't going to let a bitcoin symbol be put in.

Thank you for writing a proposal Unicode Consotium to add Bitcoin symbol to the Unicode standard. I hope to see a Bitcoin Unicode soon so that Theymos will no longer need to use special font of the Bitcoin symbol.

I searched in google for the Tai keyboard and seems that is not useful for me :
http://learn-thai-podcast.com/lessons/thaikeyboard2.jpg

It seems a good proposal for the bitcoin growth to scale another milestone.... :o

It has been approved!

https://twitter.com/ken_lunde/status/661351862155669506

Now all the font designers can start submitting the symbol to be added to their favorite font!

Well done. It's about time Bitcoin got some font recognition.

Also saw someone on Twitter complain how they do not approve of the symbol. They seem to miss that the symbol already is. Adding it to Unicode is just an acceptance that this is an actual symbol being used in the world.

That was relatively fast, in terms of committees. 

Get ready to be able to tell people that their computer already has a Bitcoin symbol.

Nearly five years ago I proposed (https://web.archive.org/web/20151104003648/https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=369.msg38079) for our community to use
COMBINING DOUBLE VERTICAL STROKE OVERLAY (U+20E6).

Here it is in FreeMono (U+0042 (https://web.archive.org/web/20151104044953/http://www.fileformat.info/info/unicode/char/0042/index.htm) and U+20E6 (https://web.archive.org/web/20151104044957/http://www.fileformat.info/info/unicode/char/20e6/index.htm)).
https://cloudflare-ipfs.com/ipns/lzsaver.eth/share/pics/btc-sign.png

As you can see, this option has some significant problems:

• you need some typeface that supports Unicode 6.0;
• anyway, it almost never displayed in a suitable form.

---

So I will be really happy when this new symbol will appear.

Ken Shirriff, thank you! :)

Cool retweeted.


I dont know the bars look like jail bars, I prefer a design where the bars don't go through the 'B' but only shows outside of it.

I prefer the ' BTC ' logo as the one to be. Its pretty solid.

Oh, I mean that I will be happy when the glyph that was made
by theymos (https://web.archive.org/web/20151104053332/https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=88647.msg976404) will appear in the next Unicode version as U+20BF.

https://en.bitcoin.it/w/images/en/thumb/6/69/Btc-sans.png/174px-Btc-sans.png

It is becoming a reality thanks to the effort of Ken Shirriff (https://web.archive.org/web/20151104022803/http://www.unicode.org/L2/L2015/15229-bitcoin-sign.pdf). :)

Okay, who among is goin' be the first to get U20BF as their licence plate number?

Great work, Ken! Having a Bitcoin Unicode will add lot of ease to web developer developing Bitcoin related application.

Thanks everyone in this thread for your support and helping get BTC into Unicode! Special thanks to runpaint for digging up a bunch of usage examples - that made a big difference.

Ken

This is really great news.  Thanks to Ken and everyone for making this happen.  Unicode now seems to appreciate that Bitcoin is no fly-by-night phenomenon.  We've been around for years and we deserve a proper encoding for our symbol :)

Putting this here for the near furture when the forum's font support it:

^^fail :( I don't seem to be able to copy the non-printing character into this text box :(

Well I was just going to tell everyone that Bitcoin is being added to Unicode, but now I have to brag about it and take credit too

I'm happy to see that someone finally did something about this! And I might say your work is great! I guess the community ows you man!