Bitcoin

Bitcoin is the first decentralized cryptocurrency, based on the blockchain technology. It doesn’t have a physical form as it’s entirely computerized. It’s stored in digital addresses and can be accessed using their private keys.

Back in 2009, Bitcoin was first introduced to the world. It was detailed in a whitepaper called Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, published by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, the identity of whom remains unknown.

Bitcoins are generated through a process that’s commonly referred to as mining. The main objective of miners is to validate the transactions on the network and to store them in blocks, which are then added to the ledger. Hence, the name – blockchain. For every added block, miners receive a reward in Bitcoins. They are also compensated for their work through the so-called mining fees.

Bitcoin is also the world’s first digitally scarce object. Its code is written in a way that would allow the existence of 21 million bitcoins. Once this number is reached, no new bitcoins will be added to the market, and miners will only earn profits by collecting fees.