What is Bitcoin?

12.02.2023

Bitcoin is one of the buzzwords in the digital world. This term contains a lot of information despite being a seven-letter word with a straightforward pronunciation. It is a form of currency, but not the regular kind of currency you know. Hence, this explains why it is well-known in the financial world.

What exactly is Bitcoin, and assuming it is money, what kind of currency is it? Find the answers to this and specialties like:

How Bitcoin works
Bitcoin relationships with blockchain
Bitcoin mining and so on.

What exactly is Bitcoin?

In simple terms, Bitcoin is a form of money that is not tangible or touchable. It is a type of digital currency that two people or businesses can exchange to pay for services over the internet. Satoshi Nakamoto came up with the concept of bitcoin, which was developed in 2008. Bitcoin (BTC) is the name of the cryptocurrency that runs on the Bitcoin network.
Following its introduction, Bitcoin users conduct transactions using this coin by utilizing the key features it incorporates. The decentralization feature of Bitcoin is one of its most crucial components. And it is because of this that two people can conduct transactions independently of a centralized authority. These include banks or other government financial institutions.
However, this is made possible by utilizing the blockchain, which is a distributed ledger designed to guarantee security and decentralize operations performed on its blocks.

Understanding how Bitcoin works

To understand how the Bitcoin coin works, you must first understand how the blockchain work or the fundamentals. To begin, you should understand the role of blockchain technology and how it relates to Bitcoin. Then, understand the components that Bitcoin combines to authorize transactions.
Blockchain is a shared ledger that is unchangeable and traceable, with no central authority. The peer-to-peer network of bitcoin, which enables people or entities to exchange bitcoin with other network users, is built on the blockchain.
These activities can be carried out and validated independently of intermediaries. Users can choose to connect their computer directly to the network’s blockchain ledger, which keeps track of all previous bitcoin transactions.

Relationship between Bitcoin and Blockchain

Blockchain technology enables immutable, transparent verification, archival, and ordering of cryptocurrency transactions. It offers the vital resources that give a payment system its trustworthiness and dependability. Immutability and transparency are essential requirements for a payment system that relies on zero trust.
The network automatically updates the nodes of everyone with reliable access certificates each time fresh transactions are verified and added to the ledger. The blockchain for bitcoin is a digital series of chronologically ordered „blocks“ made up of information about bitcoin transactions.
To fully comprehend Bitcoin even more, you might want to know how it is created.

How is Bitcoin created?

Bitcoin creation happens through a process known as „mining.“ Bitcoin mining, as it is called, is the processing of transactions, securing the network using specialized hardware, and collecting new bitcoins in exchange.
When miners discover and add new blocks to the blockchain, the Bitcoin network automatically distributes newly created bitcoin to them. The protocol will stop issuing new coins once there are 21 million coins in circulation, which is the limit of the total supply of bitcoin. Only 1.5 million bitcoins remain to enter circulation, as there are currently over 19.5 million in use.
The idea is that each new coin mined by a miner is subtracted from the theoretical total number of bitcoins in circulation. Miners with more computing power only increase their chances of finding the next block. As a result, the quantity of bitcoin mined stays largely constant over time.
Before the halving of bitcoin in May 2020, block rewards were 12.5 BTC and are currently 6.25 BTC. Block rewards might drop again in 2024 to 3.125 BTC at the upcoming halving. This process will continue up until the point where no more coins can be mined.
It is crucial to note that mining bitcoin and validating transactions are two distinct procedures. Whether or not transactions are recorded on the blockchain, mining is still possible. To verify transactions and secure the network, computers in the Bitcoin network employ a procedure known as proof-of-work (PoW).

What is Proof-of-Work?

The „consensus mechanism“ of Bitcoin that operates on blockchains is proof-of-work.
Proof-of-work only elevates specific network contributors to the position of „validators,“ more formally known as „miners.“ But this is after they have demonstrated their dedication to the network by devoting a tremendous amount of computing power to discovering new blocks. This is a process that typically takes around 10 minutes.
But with over 19.5 million in circulation and not being kept in banks, where does this Bitcoin go? This is where the Bitcoin wallet comes in.

What is a Bitcoin Wallet?

A bitcoin wallet is a program you can download and install on a computer or other specific device, and it offers the tools required to send, receive, and secure bitcoin.
Contrary to popular belief, the actual bitcoin is not kept in a wallet. Instead, the wallet protects the cryptographic keys. These keys serve as crucial login credentials that demonstrate possession of a specific amount of bitcoin on the Bitcoin network.
When a bitcoin transaction completes, the ownership of the cryptocurrency is transferred from the sender to the recipient. And the network designates the recipient’s keys as the new „password“ for accessing the cryptocurrency.
To protect the integrity of its blockchain, Bitcoin employs a technique called public-key cryptography (PKC). And to encrypt and sign a Bitcoin transaction, you need to use both your private key and public key. Additionally, you must include the recipient’s street address. If the recipient has the appropriate private key, they can use this to unlock or obtain the bitcoin.

What is unique about Bitcoin?

Its uniqueness lies in the ability to instantly and securely store and exchange value using Bitcoin. And because they rely on a cutting-edge payment system called the blockchain, they are impervious to counterfeiting and hacker theft.

Is Bitcoin a good investment?

Bitcoin can only be considered a wise investment when your risk tolerance is satisfied or your portfolio is appropriately diversified. But generally speaking, Bitcoin is a volatile and risky investment. The best financial situation for investors is one in which they can afford to lose any money they invest, according to advice. This volatility is a significant factor in why experts advise new investors to limit their cryptocurrency investments to no more than 5% of their overall portfolio.

Future of Bitcoin

Bitcoin is modernizing financial systems and offering a practical means of conducting transactions. Bitcoin has the potential to improve our monetary system in the future, despite the operations of hackers who breach and steal these digital coins now.
This is still a possibility because legislators are working to create rules and laws in Washington, D.C., and globally. These will aid in making cryptocurrencies less appealing to cybercriminals and safer for investors.
Many investors already view Bitcoin as a speculative asset to hold over time rather than use it to make payments, and they frequently draw comparisons to gold. This is encouraging evidence that Bitcoin will play a role in the future of the world’s financial system.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, Bitcoin is a form of digital money that relies on the blockchain, a digital wallet, and an internet connection to operate.

What is

Bitcoin?