Early adopters of the cryptocurrency included WordPress.com, Reddit, OKCupid, and The Pirate Bay.
Mar 2013: Cyprus bank bail-in.
Generally speaking, the European Debt Crisis was a major boon for bitcoin. However, this specific event really put the potential downsides of the banking system and centralized fiat currencies in the limelight.
Oct 2013: Silk Road Bust
As prices were soaring at the end of 2013, the FBI seized 26,000 BTC from Silk Road and its alleged owner, Ross Ulbricht.
Feb 2014: Mt. Gox files for bankruptcy protection
The world’s biggest exchange, which at one point controlled 70% of bitcoin transactions, was plagued with hacks and other problems. It finally went under in 2014.
Aug 2015: By this point, 160,000 merchants accept bitcoin payments
Dec 2016: Bitcoin is the world’s top performing currency for 2nd straight year...."
Read Full Article With Charts at VisualCapitalist