What is Bitcoin
Bitcoin: The Future of Money.
Bitcoin is more than a digital currency.
It's a revolution in how we can move value around the world.
Since its introduction in 2008 by an anonymous person(s) named Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin has become the largest and most well-known cryptocurrency.
But what makes Bitcoin so special, and why should you invest in it? (or not).
Bitcoin, abbreviated as BTC, is a digit al currency designed for the internet.
It allows users to transfer value without going through a bank or payment processor.
This opens up a world of possibilities from faster and cheaper international payments to maximum control over your own assets.
Bitcoin can serve as:
An investment tool.
A store of value similar to gold.
A way to transfer value worldwide.
A way to explore an emerging technology.
The Origin of Bitcoin
In 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto published a white paper that laid the foundation for Bitcoin.
Although Nakamoto's identity remains unknown, his or her work has transformed the world of digital currencies.
The document introduced two crucial concepts: the private key and the blockchain ledger.
When you own Bitcoin, you control it via a private key, a series of random numbers and letters that open a virtual vault.
Each private key is tracked on a decentralized ledger called the blockchain.
How does Bitcoin work?
Bitcoin works differently than traditional payment networks such as Visa or PayPal.
It is completely open and decentralized.
This means that anyone with an internet connection can participate and no single entity controls the network. Transactions are verified by specialized computers known as mining rigs, which solve complex mathematical problems.
Miners compete to verify new transactions and are rewarded with new bitcoins.
This reward halves approximately every four years, increasing Bitcoin's scarcity.
The value of Bitcoin
Bitcoin has value because it has proven itself as a reliable way to store and transfer value.
It is scarce, safe, portable and easy to distribute.
This allows transactions of all sizes to be executed.
Bitcoin is also digital, meaning it has no physical form.
This makes it flexible and easy to use both online and in physical stores that accept Bitcoin.
Bitcoin and Blockchain
All Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a virtual ledger called the blockchain.
This ledger is a chronological list of transactions that is copied across every computer connected to the Bitcoin network.
Blockchain technology is powerful and adaptable, and is now being used for applications outside of cryptocurrencies, such as supply chain management.
Using Bitcoin
Using Bitcoin is simple and similar to paying with a credit card.
Instead of entering card details, you enter the recipient's public key through a wallet app.
For physical transactions, a QR code can simplify the process.
With Bitcoin you can:
You can pay with Bitcoin with a payment card.The recipient receives euros and/or another currency of their choice.
You can exchange it for cash via an exchange, a Bitcoin machine or regular bank ATM.
You can also transfer money from your exchange to your traditional bank account.
You can spend it at online and physical stores.
You can keep it as part of your investment strategy.
Security and privacy
Bitcoin transactions are fundamentally more secure than standard payment methods.
They do not require sensitive information and are irreversible, which prevents fraud.
Every transaction is publicly visible, making manipulation impossible.
In more than a decade, the network has never been hacked.
It is also decentralized, meaning no entity can control or manipulate it.
How to get Bitcoin
The easiest way to buy Bitcoin is through an online exchange such as Binance.
Here you can buy, sell, send and receive Bitcoin without having to manage the private keys yourself.
If you choose to store Bitcoin outside of an exchange, you will receive a public key (similar to an email address) and a private key (similar to a password).
The public key allows others to send Bitcoin to you, but only you can access the Bitcoin in your wallet with your private key. (Hardware or software wallet).
A software wallet is an online digital wallet and a hardware wallet is an offline wallet. The latter is the safest way to store crypto
The future of Bitcoin
Bitcoin offers an open financial system that is more efficient, freer and more innovative than the classic financial system.
It enables individuals to transfer value without the intervention of banks or governments.
This creates opportunities for a more inclusive economy.