Bitcoin

Bitcoin is the pioneer of blockchains and cryptocurrencies, introduced in a white paper released in 2008 by an apparently pseudonymous person or group of people known as Satoshi Nakamoto. The document described a peer-to-peer method of transferring money without the use of financial institutions. The cryptocurrency known as bitcoin or BTC debuted in 2009. Transactions are recorded on a public ledger (a blockchain) by entities known as miners who engage in process called proof-of-work. Miners are rewarded for doing that by getting newly minted bitcoin. Some proponents view BTC as an alternative to fiat currencies and a hedge against inflation. Bitcoin has inspired the creation of numerous other cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects.

DISCLOSURE: This text was written with the assistance of AI, then reviewed by a person



Policy

Craig Wright Denies Forging Evidence He’s Satoshi on Day 2 of COPA Trial

From self-plagiarism to poor multitasking, the self-proclaimed Bitcoin inventor offered an explanation for every inconsistency pointed out by opposing counsel during his first cross-examination in the London court case.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Dr. Craig Wright arrives at the Rolls Building, part of the Royal Courts of Justice on February 06, 2024 in London, England. The Australian-born and English-resident computer scientist, Dr. Craig Wright, claims to be the mythical founder of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, and asserts authorship of the 2008 white paper, a foundational document for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) is urging the court to declare otherwise, arguing that this legal intervention seeks to mitigate the potentially adverse effects of lawsuits initiated by Wright. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Markets

Bitcoin Miner Selling Ahead of Halving Is Capping Prices: Bitfinex

Miner reserves saw continued net outflows since bitcoin ETF debut, falling to their lowest level since June 2021.

The bitcoin halving could lead to a "miner exodus," CoinShares said in a new report. (Tony Litvyak/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Markets

Bitcoin ETFs Mean 'Substitution' From Gold Into BTC Will Continue, Says Cathie Wood

While bitcoin's price is often denominated against fiat currencies, Wood pointed out that even relative to gold, BTC has risen consistently since its early days.

Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood

Markets

First Mover Americas: Bitcoin Could Drop in the Short Term

The latest price moves in crypto markets in context for Feb. 6, 2024.

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Markets

Bitcoin ETFs Pose Risk for Coinbase Stock, Leverage Shares Says

COIN was one of the best-performing stocks in 2023, but has dropped by almost a third since the start of 2024.

(Alpha Photo/Flickr)

Markets

Bitcoin Slips Towards $42K as Interest Rates Soar; Chainlink's LINK Defies Crypto Slump

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reiterated his hawkish stance on rate cuts in a Sunday interview, weighing on risk assets.

Bitcoin price on February 5 (CoinDesk)

Tech

Bitcoin NFT Project Taproot Wizards Sells Out First Collection, Raking in $13M

All 3,000 of the "Quantum Cats" digital images were claimed by the end of Monday's public mint, selling for a fixed price of 0.1 BTC ($4,265) each – despite severe technical issues that had delayed the process by a full week.

Screenshot of "Quantum Cats" collection from the project's website. (Quantum Cats/Taproot Wizards)

Opinion

Bitcoin: A New Regulatory Attack Vector

The Bitcoin miner survey launched by the U.S. Energy Information Administration is not an innocuous information-gathering exercise. And, it could end up hurting much more than just the crypto ecosystem.

Bitmain Antminer S19 Hydro mining rigs, the company's latest technology, installed at a Merkle Standard facility in Washington state. (Eliza Gkritsi/CoinDesk)

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