It was in 2009, when Bitcoin was introduced as a digital currency. Satoshi Nakamoto is credited in a white paper he wrote under a pseudonym.
It is still unclear who invented the technology. Bitcoin transaction fees are lower than for traditional online payment methods, and unlike government-issued currencies, Bitcoin is operated by a decentralized authority.
Because Bitcoin uses cryptography to keep its security, it is known as a form of cryptocurrency. Bitcoins do not exist in their physical form; rather, balances are kept on a public ledger that everyone can access (although records are encrypted). A process called “mining” verifies all Bitcoin transactions. Bitcoin is not issued or backed by any banks or governments, nor is a single Bitcoin valued as a commodity. Bitcoin does not have legal tender status in most countries of the world, but it remains very popular and has inspired the launch of hundreds of other cryptocurrencies, collectively known as altcoins. BTC stands for Bitcoin when traded.
Basic understanding of Bitcoin
Computers running Bitcoin’s code and storing its blockchain are called “nodes” or “miners.” To put it another way, a blockchain is a series of blocks. The blocks include transaction information. Each computer running the blockchain has the same list of blocks and transactions and is able to see in real time when new blocks are added to the blockchain, so no one can cheat the system.
These transactions can be observed by anyone, regardless of whether they run a Bitcoin node. The computing power that makes up Bitcoin must be operated by 51% of bad actors in order for them to commit a nefarious act. As of mid-November 2021, Bitcoin had 13,768 full nodes, and that number is growing, making such an attack quite unlikely.
The miners of Bitcoin, those who operate their computers as part of the Bitcoin network, would most likely split off to join a new blockchain, thus wasting the effort a bad actor put into the attack.
Using the mathematical algorithm that creates them, Bitcoin token balances are kept using public and private keys, which are long strings of numbers and letters. The public key (which can be compared to a bank account number) serves as the address, which is public and to which others are able to send Bitcoin.
Unlike ATM PINs, private keys are guarded secrets used only for bitcoin transactions.. Keys to Bitcoin are different from Bitcoin wallets, which are physical or digital devices that facilitate the trade of Bitcoins and track ownership of coins. Despite the term “wallet,” Bitcoin isn’t really stored on a wallet, but rather on a blockchain, as its decentralized nature means it’s distributed rather than centralized.
The Technology
P2P technology enables Bitcoin to facilitate instant payments, making it one of the first digital currencies. Bitcoin “miners” are the individuals and firms that have the computing power and participate in the Bitcoin network, and they are responsible for processing transactions on the blockchain and are rewarded with new Bitcoins and transaction fees paid in Bitcoin.
How has Bitcoin become so valuable
As of November 2021, Bitcoin’s price is more than $68,000, up from less than $1 in 2011. Many factors influence its value, such as its relative scarcity, market demand, and marginal cost of production. As a result, Bitcoin is highly valued despite being intangible, with a total market capitalization of $1.11 trillion as of November 2021.
Where to buy Bitcoin from. Safety matters!
You can purchase Bitcoin on a number of online exchanges. The world has also seen the emergence of Bitcoin ATMs -internet-connected kiosks that allow people to buy Bitcoins with credit cards or cash. If you have a friend who owns Bitcoins, you can ask them if they will sell them directly to you.
Make sure you buy Bitcoins from a safe place and store them on a secured Bitcoin wallet.
