Heartbit's portfolio tracker helps you understand exactly how your Bitcoin investment is performing. It tracks your cost basis, calculates your profit and loss, and shows your performance over time. This guide explains how to set it up and get the most accurate picture of your investment.
What the Portfolio Tracker Does
The portfolio tracker monitors every Bitcoin transaction you make and calculates key performance metrics. These include your total holdings in BTC, the current value in your preferred currency, your average buy price, total invested, unrealized profit or loss (gains on Bitcoin you still hold), and realized profit or loss (gains on Bitcoin you have sold).
All of this happens automatically for trades you make on Heartbit. If you also hold Bitcoin outside of Heartbit, you can add those holdings manually to get a complete picture.
Two Types of Holdings
The portfolio tracker distinguishes between two sources.
- Heartbit trades are tracked automatically. Every time you buy or sell Bitcoin on the platform, the portfolio updates your average buy price, cost basis, and profit or loss in real time. You do not need to do anything.
- External entries are manually added by you. These cover Bitcoin you bought on other platforms, received as payment, mined, or acquired in any other way outside of Heartbit. Adding these entries gives you a combined view of your total Bitcoin investment performance.
Adding External Holdings
To add an external holding, go to the Portfolio screen and tap the Add button. You will need to provide the action type (Buy, Sell, or Starting Balance), the amount of BTC, the price per BTC at the time (optional but recommended for accurate P&L), any fees paid, the date of the transaction, and an optional note for your records.
If you are setting up for the first time and already hold Bitcoin from a previous purchase, use the Starting Balance option. Enter the total BTC you hold and the average price you paid. This establishes your cost basis without creating a buy event.
Understanding Your P&L
Unrealized P&L shows how much you would gain or lose if you sold all your Bitcoin right now. It is calculated as the current value minus your total invested. This number changes constantly as the Bitcoin price moves.
Realized P&L shows the actual profit or loss from Bitcoin you have already sold. Once you sell, the gain or loss is locked in and no longer changes with the market.
The Combined Net Worth View
If you have both Heartbit trades and external entries, the portfolio screen shows a combined view. You will see your total BTC holdings, total portfolio value, and combined P&L across both sources. The display clearly labels which portion comes from Heartbit and which is from external entries, so you always know the breakdown.
Tips for Accurate Tracking
- Add external entries as soon as possible while the details are fresh in your memory.
- Include fees in your entries. Fees are part of your cost basis and affect your true P&L.
- Use the correct date for each transaction. The date determines which historical price is used for calculations.
- Review your portfolio periodically to catch any missing entries or errors.