Bitcoin in Simple Terms

Bitcoin is intangible. It’s not paper money or coins. Even compared to electronic money on a bank card, Bitcoin is quite different. Bitcoin is digital money with unique transatopction rules that cannot be altered.

About Bitcoin

Bitcoin (BTC) is a digital or virtual currency created in 2009 by an unknown person or group of people using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Unlike traditional currencies like the dollar or euro, bitcoins exist solely in digital form and have no physical counterpart.

How does Bitcoin work?

The foundation of Bitcoin is blockchain technology. Imagine a huge ledger that records all Bitcoin transactions. This ledger is distributed across all participants in the Bitcoin network, and all copies of the ledger are always synchronized. When someone sends bitcoins to another person, this transaction is recorded in the blockchain, and all network participants can see it.

Why is Bitcoin called digital gold?

One reason is its limited supply. The maximum number of bitcoins that can ever be created is 21 million. This is similar to gold, which also has a finite supply. Because of this scarcity, Bitcoin is often seen as a store of value.

How to obtain bitcoins?

There are several ways to obtain bitcoins:

1. Buying on an exchange: The simplest way is to buy BTC on a specialized exchange using fiat money.
2. Mining: This is the process of creating new BTCs using powerful computers to solve complex mathematical problems. Miners are rewarded with new BTCs for each problem they solve.
3. Direct transfer: You can receive BTC from another person as payment for goods or services.

Pros and cons of Bitcoin

Advantages of Bitcoin

• Decentralization: Bitcoin is not controlled by any organization or government, making it resistant to censorship and interference.
• Transparency: All transactions on the Bitcoin network are visible and verifiable, ensuring a high level of trust among users.
• Security: The blockchain technology that underpins Bitcoin is protected from hacks by complex cryptographic algorithms.

Disadvantages of Bitcoin

• Volatility: The BTC price can fluctuate wildly, making it a risky investment.
• Use in illegal activities: The anonymity of transactions attracts criminals who use BTC for illegal operations.
• Complexity for beginners: Understanding and using Bitcoin requires certain knowledge, which can be challenging for newcomers.

A closer look

Bitcoin operates on a blockchain—a system comparable to a large ledger containing all records of cryptocurrency transactions. Every Bitcoin owner has their own copy of this ledger, which is identical to others.

The entries in all copies are accurate and identical. Neither banks, governments, nor even the creator of the cryptocurrency can alter these records. In other words, blockchain has no single controller; the system is managed by many participants. This mathematically grounded system protects digital currency from counterfeiting or hacking.

Bitcoin is generated by a network of miners, who can be either large companies with publicly traded stocks or individuals mining at home.

Unlike traditional currencies, the number of bitcoins is limited to 21 million. Most bitcoins have already been generated and are in circulation. Some coins are lost forever—about 30% of all bitcoins (some wallet owners have forgotten their passwords).

Bitcoin comes into existence thanks to miners. Mining is the process of generating cryptocurrency using computational equipment. Miners are rewarded with bitcoins for their efforts.

Nuances

Bitcoin’s price is not controlled by banks or financial regulators. However, it is far from stable. The price of this cryptocurrency (like many others) can swing wildly up and down. The cryptocurrency market has proven sensitive to factors such as tweets from Elon Musk. His statements have repeatedly crashed the price of Bitcoin, only to send it soaring to new heights later.

Bitcoin refers both to the cryptocurrency itself and the payment system it uses.

Researchers have identified several reasons for Bitcoin’s immense popularity. Among them are market participants’ distrust of the global financial system and traditional currencies, the desire to conceal transactions, and an interest in electronic money and payment technologies.

Criticism

Bitcoin is often used for illicit capital movement. “I do not welcome a currency that kidnappers and extortionists use enthusiastically. I also don’t like the idea of paying a few extra billion dollars to someone who just created a new financial product. I think I must modestly say that this damn development is just disgusting and against the interests of civilization,” said famous investor Charles Munger.

His partner, and even more legendary investor Warren Buffett, believes that cryptocurrency has no intrinsic value, unlike stocks, which represent a share in a real, operating business. In an interview with CNBC, he stated, “All that cryptocurrencies deliver is the hope that someone else will pay more for them in the future than you did.”

Practical implications

The craze for cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin, is compared to the gold rush in America in the mid-19th century. Mining Bitcoin brings millions of dollars to manufacturers of graphics cards and other computing equipment. When Bitcoin’s price rises, energy companies warn of possible outages because power grids may not handle the enormous loads. The amount of electricity consumed in Bitcoin mining is significant, making scientists view Bitcoin as a threat to climate change.

Conclusion

Bitcoin is an innovative technology that offers numerous opportunities but also has its risks and challenges. It opens doors to a new way of managing finances and preserving value but requires careful consideration and education. Understanding Bitcoin and blockchain can help you make informed decisions and benefit from this digital revolution.