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



Finance

Bitcoin Venture Capital Is Anything but Boring: Crypto Long & Short

Bitcoin Core's methodical development fuels the idea that “nothing is happening on Bitcoin,” but innovation is actually robust.

(Harry Shelton/Unsplash)

Opinion

Bitcoin Is 'Big Barbie' Energy

Director Greta Gerwig's reimagined and self-empowered Barbie would love Bitcoin, author and influencer Aubrey Strobel writes.

Director Greta Gerwig's reimagined and self-empowered Barbie would love Bitcoin. (Elena Mishlanova/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Tech

Why You Should Care About Litecoin: It's the Backbone of Dogecoin

Litecoin, a blockchain cloned from Bitcoin in 2011 that underwent a key milestone on Wednesday known as a “halving,” provides network security to Dogecoin via a process called “merged mining.” Dogecoin is a frequent social-media topic for Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

(Minh Pham/Unsplash)

Tech

Litecoin Undergoes Third 'Halving,' in Milestone for 12-Year-Old Blockchain

The blockchain's "halving," where the pace of new issuance of cryptocurrency gets cut in half every four years, took place Wednesday, when it reached transaction block 2,520,000.

Litecoin halving (photo by davisuko on Unsplash)

Markets

First Mover Americas: Race for Ether ETFs Kicks Off With 6 Asset Managers Filing

The latest price moves in crypto markets in context for August 2, 2023.

(Jonathan Chng/Unsplash)

Tech

A New Bitcoin-Based Arcade Game Is Leaving a Mark on Gamers

A platform that went live last week looks to expand bitcoin usage by attracting players to win-to-earn games that run wholly on the Bitcoin blockchain.

Video game controller (Jose Gil/Unsplash)

Tech

Coinbase Looks to Add Bitcoin Lightning for Payments

The move is part of the exchange's broader plan to improve cryptocurrency-based payments globally.

Bitcoin Lightning could be coming to Coinbase, CEO Armstrong said. (Coinbase)

Markets

First Mover Asia: Asia Stocks Open Soft, Bitcoin Jumps Past $30K on MicroStrategy Filing and Despite Fitch Treasury Downgrade

PLUS: Bitcoin dominance sagged in July, absent a compelling BTC catalyst, and as altcoins seemed to benefit from a partial Ripple court victory.

Bitcoin monthly chart. (CoinDesk Indices)

Markets

Bitcoin Whale Michael Saylor Might Buy a Lot More BTC

MicroStrategy plans to sell up to $750 million of stock, possibly to acquire BTC. The price of bitcoin rose following the announcement.

MicroStrategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor (Getty Images)

Tech

Litecoin ‘Halving,’ Set for Wednesday, Should Harden Supply of ‘Digital Silver’

The quadrennial "halving" on the Litecoin blockchain, set for Wednesday, means that the pace of new issuance of units of the LTC cryptocurrency will be cut in half. The dynamic is similar to the "hard money" mechanics that crypto analysts say helps to boost bitcoin's price.

With blockchain halvings, sometimes less is more. (Unsplash)

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