What is Bitcoin (BTC)?

• Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency protocol launched by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009.

• It uses public-key cryptography and mining to secure the Bitcoin network, with a fixed supply capped at 21 million BTC.

• Many use Bitcoin as a store of value or to make payments over the internet.

Bitcoin is a revolutionary form of digital currency first proposed in 2008 by a person or group of people known as Satoshi Nakamoto.

Unlike traditional currencies, Bitcoin is a digital asset and does not depend on central banks or governments.

Instead, it operates as a completely decentralized system and stores activity on a digital database called the bitcoin ledger. This decentralization means that no single company or government can make decisions about how the currency works or how people can use it.

In fact, the protocol's users collectively help in running it, guided by strict computer-coded rules. These rules set the amount of bitcoin in circulation and how users trade and create new bitcoin.

Bitcoin (BTC), the cryptocurrency asset, was originally created to act as a digital medium of exchange. You can buy or sell bitcoin on most, if not all, crypto exchanges or on dedicated Bitcoin exchanges. The process of generating new Bitcoin is called Bitcoin mining. It involves using powerful crypto mining computers to process the complex mathematical equations needed to maintain the network.

During the mining process, Bitcoin uses a system involving cryptography and game theory to validate and record transactions. The network stores these transactions on a public database system called a blockchain ledger.

As its essential building blocks, the Bitcoin protocol uses: 

1. Public-key cryptography – Wallet software assigns bitcoin owners both a public key (which is used by the protocol to prove you own bitcoin) and a private key (a kind of password that, if secured well, guarantees your bitcoins can only be accessed by you).

2. Peer-to-peer networking – Nodes (computers running the software) review transactions to ensure the software’s rules are being followed. Miners (nodes using special computer chips) then compete for the right to batch these transactions into the blocks periodically added to the blockchain.

3. A finite supply – According to the software rules, only 21 million bitcoins can be produced, a limit that gives bitcoins value.

Bitcoin transactions are pseudononymous and highly secure, making them an attractive option for those who value privacy and security. Supply and demand on various cryptocurrency exchanges determine the price of bitcoin. You can send Bitcoin payments from a bitcoin wallet to a bitcoin wallet or from a bitcoin wallet to an exchange or web retailer.

There are multiple hard forks or offshoots of bitcoin including Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin Classic.

Check the Bitcoin price page for more details on the current BTC value, trends, and price history.

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Satoshi Nakamoto is the pseudonym used by the unknown creator of Bitcoin and bitcoin's blockchain technology.

Despite the widespread use and popularity of Bitcoin, the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto remains a mystery. Over the years, many people have claimed to be the real Satoshi Nakamoto, but none of them have been able to provide convincing evidence to support their claims.

Whoever Nakamoto is or was, they went to great lengths to remain anonymous. This mystery has helped increase the allure and fascination surrounding the origins of Bitcoin.

Nakamoto created the first bitcoin transaction, called the Genesis Block, on January 3, 2009.

Those closely related to cryptography around the time of Bitcoin's conception remain the most prominent suspects, including computer programmers Nick Szabo and the late Hal Finney. The first known usage of bitcoin as a form of payment occurred when a developer named Laszlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas with 40,000 bitcoin. The online payment, which occurred on May 22, 2010, is now known as Bitcoin Pizza Day.

While Bitcoin can safely claim to have created the world’s first successful cryptocurrency, its technology is built on decades of ideas for how cryptography could help create digital money.

This includes such formative projects as:

• B-money – A proposed anonymous, distributed digital cash system

• Bit Gold – An attempt to create a type of scarce online commodity

• eCash – The first major attempt to create anonymous online payments

• HashCash – A proof-of-work system designed to prevent email spam

Satoshi Nakamoto mentioned that they had begun writing the code for Bitcoin as early as 2007. 

This was then followed by the publication of a white paper explaining this proposed system in 2008, and the release of Bitcoin 0.1, the first version of the software, on January 9, 2009.

Nakamoto authored a trove of emails and forum posts offering his or her thoughts about the future of Bitcoin prior to leaving the project in 2011. Today, hundreds of developers contribute to Bitcoin’s code, where they make everything from routine bug fixes to efficiency improvements.

Bitcoin (BTC) is a virtual currency that operates through the decentralized Bitcoin network, meaning no government or financial institution controls it. The blockchain stores all transactions on a public ledger called the Bitcoin blockchain, which serves as a fully accessible, transparent database. This digital ledger stores bitcoin payments and transfers.

The Bitcoin network is a decentralized virtual currency system that operates without a central bank, government authority, or middlemen. Instead, it relies on a network of computers around the world to maintain the integrity of the system.

A globally distributed community of nodes makes up the Bitcoin network. Nodes are computers that are connected to the Bitcoin network and help validate transactions.

Anyone in the world can run their own node and participate in running the Bitcoin network. Every node maintains their own copy of the blockchain, which is an unchangeable ledger of cryptocurrency transactions. This process means that there is no central authority that controls the blockchain, making it decentralized.

These networked computers store a copy of the bitcoin ledger and, when transactions occur on the network, they use a consensus mechanism to "agree" that a certain action happened. This agreement process guarantees that users cannot create fake transactions or double-spend a bitcoin.

You store the access to your bitcoin in a bitcoin wallet which acts as a debit card or bank account: when you send or spend bitcoin the network reassigns ownership over those funds to the recipient's public wallet address.

When someone sends Bitcoin to another person, the transaction is verified by a network of "miners." Miners solve complex mathematical equations to guarantee the validity of the transaction and prevent fraud. Other nodes on the network verify the transaction. They do this by checking that the sender has enough Bitcoin to make the transaction and is not trying to double-spend their balance.

Once the network verifies the transaction, the successful miner adds it to a block of transactions. These full blocks permanently join the blockchain. No one can alter the data stored in blocks once they're committed to the blockchain.

To incentivize users to maintain the network, Bitcoin has a built-in reward system that is more commonly known as bitcoin mining.

Every time a miner adds a block to the blockchain, the protocol rewards them with a certain amount of newly minted Bitcoin. One successful miner receives a set number of bitcoins per completed block. This prize is called a block reward.

As of April 2023, the block reward was 6.25 Bitcoins per block. The protocol automatically halves this reward every 210,000 blocks in a process called the Bitcoin Halving. Once the number of bitcoin in circulation reaches 21 million, the maximum limit, the protocol will release no more coins.

Bitcoin mining is known as an energy-intensive process, but recent advances in the technology have reduced the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the process. Bitcoin mining still requires powerful computers to process transactions, but most major minors are now focused on renewable energy usage. Individual miners might still require special hardware and software that often cause higher energy consumption.

Satoshi Nakamoto designed the Bitcoin network to be self-regulating. The difficulty of mining Bitcoin (i.e., adding new blocks to the blockchain) changes every 2016 blocks, or once every two weeks. This adjustment makes sure that the rate at which new Bitcoin enters circulation remains around the programmed target of ten minutes.

One of the most significant differences between Bitcoin and fiat currency is decentralization.

Unlike fiat currency, no central authority, such as a government or bank controls Bitcoin. This advantage means that Bitcoin is not subject to the same censorship and geo-restrictions as traditional currency, providing users with greater freedom and flexibility.

In fact, all bitcoin transfers are peer transactions in that they are between two wallets vs. two banks or two customers. Outside forces cannot censor or control these transactions.

Limited supply

Another unique feature of Bitcoin is its limited supply. Unlike fiat currency, which central authorities can print at will, Bitcoin has a finite supply.

There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoins in existence, which creates scarcity and may support its value over time.

This feature is in contrast to fiat currency, which can suffer from inflation and devaluation as more currency is printed. The only way to produce more Bitcoin is through Bitcoin mining.

Transparency

Bitcoin transactions are transparent and recorded on a public ledger, known as the blockchain.

Anyone can view and track transactions, adding an extra layer of security and accountability to the Bitcoin network.

Conversely, with conventional currencies, usually, no one can see what other people are transacting. This lack of transparency means its much easier to perform illegal activities such as money laundering using cash. Bitcoin's digital ledger is open for all to see.

Lower transaction fees and faster payments

Another advantage of Bitcoin is its lower fees and faster transactions.

When compared to traditional banking fees, Bitcoin transaction fees are significantly lower.

As a result, Bitcoin is a more cost-effective option for those looking to make international payments or transfers. Payments also take around an hour to send, instead of the 2-5 business days it takes on average to send an international bank transfer.

Security and privacy

Bitcoin transactions are secured using advanced cryptography, making them highly secure and difficult to hack.

Additionally, Bitcoin transactions are pseudonymous, meaning that users can conduct transactions without revealing their identity. This benefit can provide greater privacy and security for users, as their personal information is not disclosed during transactions.

Because of its decentralized nature, no one can shut down or ban Bitcoin. Its decentralized nature, limited supply, transparency, lower transaction fees, and security and privacy features make it an attractive option for many users. As the world becomes increasingly digital, Bitcoin is poised to play a significant role in the future of finance.

Bitcoin, and all other cryptocurrencies, exist as purely digital currencies. Holders of these assets can only store them in specialized bitcoin wallets. There are a lot of Bitcoin startups focused on storing and securing user assets.

Hardware wallet

A hardware cryptocurrency wallet (also known as a cold wallet) is a physical device that stores a user's private keys securely. Private keys are used to sign transactions and allow users to spend their bitcoins. Hardware wallets are considered one of the most secure ways to store bitcoin because they remain disconnected from the internet most of the time. This factor makes them less susceptible to hacking attempts.

A hardware wallet works by generating a private key that the device stores internally. A PIN protects the private key or password that only the user knows. To make a transaction, the user connects the hardware cryptocurrency wallet to a computer or mobile device and signs the transaction with their private key.

One of the main advantages of using a Bitcoin cold wallet is the security it provides. Since private keys are stored on the device, they are not vulnerable to online attacks. Additionally, hardware wallets are portable, which means that users can carry their bitcoin with them wherever they go.

Software wallet

A software wallet (known as a hot wallet), as the name suggests, is a digital wallet that stores your Bitcoin on a software platform. These wallets are typically free to download and easy to use.

People can access their software hot wallets through a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Software wallets are convenient because they allow you to access your Bitcoin from anywhere, as long as you have internet access. However, they are also vulnerable to hacking and malware attacks, making them less secure than hardware wallets.

The main difference between a software wallet and a hardware wallet is security. Software wallets can be more vulnerable to hacking and malware attacks because they remain connected to the internet at all times. With that said, cold wallets are more expensive than hot wallets, but they offer a higher level of security.

Software wallets are convenient because users can access them from anywhere, while hardware wallets require physical access to the device.

Payments

One of the earliest uses of Bitcoin was as an electronic cash system. It allows users to transfer funds online without the need for a third-party intermediary like a bank or payment processor. The network can complete transactions faster and often more cheaply compared to traditional payment methods.

To make Bitcoin payments, users need to have a digital wallet that stores the private keys associated with their Bitcoin funds. They can then use this wallet to send and receive Bitcoin to and from other users. The Bitcoin network is a decentralized network of computers that verify, process, and confirm transactions.

Many merchants now accept Bitcoin as a payment method, including online retailers and even some physical stores. However, it is still not as widely accepted as traditional payment methods like credit cards or PayPal.

Store of value

Another use of Bitcoin is as a store of value. Because the network is decentralized, some people see it as a more stable and secure form of currency.

Bitcoin's limited supply and the fact that it cannot be easily counterfeited also contribute to its value as a store of value. Some people buy Bitcoin as a speculative investment, hoping that its value will increase over time.

However, Bitcoin's value can be volatile, and its price has fluctuated widely in the past. This price volatility means that it may not be suitable for everyone as a long-term investment

One of the easiest ways to buy bitcoin (BTC) is using cryptocurrency trading platforms like Kraken. These venues oftentimes support multiple fiat currencies, allowing users to exchange their local currencies for cryptocurrency.

Many centralized cryptocurrency trading platforms will require users to submit personal information before they're able to buy and sell bitcoin. Known as know-your-customer (KYC) measures, this process aims to prevent unlawful activity such as money laundering.

Bitcoin's increased adoption has led traditional payment services such as PayPal, Cash App and Revolut to allow their clients to directly or indirectly gain exposure to the cryptocurrency.

People can also purchase bitcoin for cash directly peer-to-peer, however this can pose significant personal risk and is not generally recommended.

You can read our Kraken Learn Center guide, How to buy Bitcoin, for a complete overview.

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