Bid–ask spread is a specific Markets coordinate in the Bitcoin knowledge graph. In practical terms, it identifies the subject described here: The gap between the highest displayed buying price and lowest displayed selling price. This definition is narrower than promotional usage and should be read together with the implementation, date and evidence attached to the entry.
Bid–ask spread is best understood as part of a system rather than as an isolated definition. Its related coordinates show the mechanisms, incentives and historical records that give the term practical meaning.
Bid–ask spread describes how participants value, trade or obtain exposure to bitcoin. Market behavior can affect adoption and mining economics, but it does not rewrite consensus rules. Price evidence and protocol evidence answer different questions.
Understanding Bid–ask spread helps distinguish a verifiable Bitcoin mechanism or historical record from slogans, products and market narratives.
Primary or authoritative records make these details checkable: the bid-ask spread is the difference between the best displayed buy and sell prices at a moment; effective spread depends on trade direction and execution, while depth describes available quantity beyond the top level. They should be verified before using the coordinate in analysis.
The practical limit is: a narrow quoted spread does not guarantee low cost for a large order; hidden liquidity, latency, fees and adverse selection matter; spreads across venues are not comparable without currency and size controls. A definition, office, chart pattern or published claim is not by itself a prediction or Bitcoin consensus rule.
For the clearest picture, read this entry together with Market maker, Lightning liquidity, Slippage, Institutional OTC desk, Order book, Bitcoin. The reverse links also lead from Market maker, Slippage, Market order, Limit order.