Blockchain 101 - What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is the world’s first successful decentralized cryptocurrency and payment system, launched in 2009 by a mysterious creator known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin is a digital asset secured and verified using cryptography, and transactions are stored on computers distributed all over the world via blockchain technology. Bitcoin can be divided into smaller units called satoshis and used for payments, but it is also considered a store of value like gold. The decentralized nature of bitcoin means it is not managed by any centralized entities, such as banks or governments, and is represented by the ticker symbol BTC. Bitcoin has seen a significant increase in value since its inception, making it a popular asset for investorsBitcoin is the world’s first successful decentralized cryptocurrency and payment system, launched in 2009 by a mysterious creator known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin is a digital asset secured and verified using cryptography, and transactions are stored on computers distributed all over the world via blockchain technology. Bitcoin can be divided into smaller units called satoshis and used for payments, but it is also considered a store of value like gold.

Bitcoin is the world’s first successful decentralized cryptocurrency and payment system, launched in 2009 by a mysterious creator known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin is a digital asset secured and verified using cryptography, and transactions are stored on computers distributed all over the world via blockchain technology. Bitcoin can be divided into smaller units called satoshis and used for payments, but it is also considered a store of value like gold. The decentralized nature of bitcoin means it is not managed by any centralized entities, such as banks or governments, and is represented by the ticker symbol BTC. Bitcoin has seen a significant increase in value since its inception, making it a popular asset for investors.The decentralized nature of bitcoin means it is not managed by any centralized entities, such as banks or governments, and is represented by the ticker symbol BTC. Bitcoin has seen a significant increase in value since its inception, making it a popular asset for investors.

Bitcoin is a digital currency that allows users to exchange value directly with one another without the need for a central server or intermediary company. It is a peer-to-peer network, meaning all users have equal power and are connected directly to each other. Bitcoin is public, open-source, borderless, and runs 24/7, allowing anyone with an internet connection and a device to participate. It is like the internet for money, allowing users to help secure it, issue it, and pay each other directly with it without involving a bank.

Digital Currency
Bitcoin is a digital currency that allows users to exchange value directly with one another

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency designed by Satoshi Nakamoto as an alternative to traditional money. It has a fixed supply and its price is not predictable, making it a less than ideal payment option due to its volatility. Bitcoin is made up of three components: a peer-to-peer network, a distributed ledger, and a cryptographic protocol. The peer-to-peer network allows users to send and receive payments, the distributed ledger records and verifies transactions, and the cryptographic protocol ensures the security of the system. Despite its volatility, Bitcoin has the potential to become a globally accepted legal tender, allowing people to purchase goods and services with it.

Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer network that allows users to exchange digital currency without the need for intermediaries. It uses blockchain technology, which is a distributed ledger system that records and verifies transactions in an immutable and transparent way. Whenever new transactions are confirmed and added to the ledger, the network updates every user’s copy of the ledger. Bitcoin mining is a separate process from transaction validation, and new blocks are added to the blockchain approximately every 10 minutes. Bitcoin is a secure, reliable, and efficient way to transfer money without the need for a third-party.

peer-to-peer-network
Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer network that allows users to exchange digital currency without the need for intermediaries.

The Bitcoin network uses a process known as proof-of-work (PoW) to validate transactions and secure the network. This consensus mechanism prevents double-spending by requiring all network participants to unanimously agree on the validity of each transaction. Computers in the Bitcoin network use PoW to elevate certain network contributors to the role of “validators” or “miners”. When a new block is discovered, the successful miner is allowed to keep any fees attached to the transactions they add, plus they’re given an amount of newly minted bitcoin known as a “block reward”. This process ensures that consensus is achieved and that the Bitcoin ledger is constantly updated.

Bitcoin mining is the process of validating transactions and minting new coins on the Bitcoin network. Miners use their computing power to add new blocks to the blockchain, and are rewarded with newly minted Bitcoin for their efforts. The total supply of Bitcoin is capped at 21 million coins, so miners are incentivized to add new blocks to the blockchain by attaching fees to their transactions. Fees are based on the size of the transaction, and miners prioritize transactions with the highest fees attached. As the number of coins in circulation approaches 21 million, the protocol will stop minting new coins and only function as the transaction validation process.

Bitcoin mining
Bitcoin mining is the process of validating transactions and minting new coins on the Bitcoin network.

Bitcoin halving is a coin distribution strategy used by the Bitcoin network to reduce the amount of new bitcoin entering circulation over time. This process happens every 210,000 blocks or roughly four years, with the next halving expected to take place in 2024. By gradually decreasing the supply of new bitcoin, the asset’s price is supported by the fundamental principles of supply and demand. A bitcoin wallet is a software program that secures the cryptographic keys that prove ownership of a specific amount of bitcoin on the network. The last bitcoin is estimated to be mined in 2140, with over 18.7 million BTC currently in circulation.

Bitcoin uses a system of public-key cryptography (PKC) to secure its blockchain transactions. This system requires two types of keys: a private key and a public key. The private key is kept hidden and is used to encrypt and sign transactions, while the public key is used to generate a public address which is shared to receive Bitcoin. The blockchain uses a one-way mathematical algorithm to create a public key from the private key, making it almost impossible to regenerate the private key from the public key. With this system, only the recipient with the right private key can unlock or claim the transferred Bitcoin.

 

 

 

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Shania Le
Entered the world of blockchain through GameFi and NFTs, which got me deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole which turned me into a non-stop explorer.