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



Markets

Bitcoin Network Congestion Causes Binance to Pause Withdrawals

The world’s biggest crypto exchange has now resumed withdrawals, but problems continue to linger for the Bitcoin protocol.

(Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)

Videos

Bitcoin’s Activity Pushes Average Transaction Fee to Nearly 2-Year High

A spike in transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain involving Ethereum-style tokens and non-fungible token (NFT)-like "inscriptions" has driven up congestion on the network, pushing the average fee rate to the highest in nearly two years while showering miners of the cryptocurrency with extra revenue. "The Hash" panel discusses the milestone and its implications for the Bitcoin ecosystem.

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Opinion

Pump the BRCs: The Promise and Peril of Bitcoin-backed Tokens

A new way of issuing tokens on Bitcoin is growing fast. So why did their creator warn that they “will be worthless?"

Piggy bank bent forward change money coins (Andre Taissin/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Policy

Craig Wright Shows ‘Prima Facie Evidence’ of Contemptuous Conduct, U.S. Judge Says

The computer scientist who claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto is still engaged in a $143 million dispute over bitcoin ownership.

Craig Wright at CoinGeek Conference New York (Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for CoinGeek)

Markets

First Mover Americas: Meme Coin PEPE Surges to $1B Market Cap

The latest price moves in crypto markets in context for May 5, 2023.

Pepe the Frog (PepeCoin's Twitter account)

Markets

U.S. Adds 253K Jobs in April, Topping Expectations for 180K; Bitcoin Falls

The unemployment rate fell to 3.4% versus forecasts for a slight rise to 3.6%.

(Unsplash)

Markets

U.S. Regulatory Crackdown Sees Institutional Investors Prefer Gold to Bitcoin: JPMorgan

This year’s 76% bitcoin rally appears to have been driven by retail buying, the report said.

(Federal Reserve Bank of New York, modified by CoinDesk)

Markets

Bitcoin Chalks Out 'Head and Shoulders' Pattern Ahead of U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls: Valkyrie Investments

Although not classically meeting the textbook criteria from technical analysis of a head-and-shoulders pattern, price action since March 19 has painted an extreme high with flanking lower highs, Valkyrie's analysts said.

(geralt/Pixabay)

Markets

First Mover Asia: CBDCs Are the Hottest Issue in Florida Politics; Bitcoin Falls Slightly

PLUS: Cryptos were down as Asian markets opened, and investors try to figure out which narrative to believe.

Miami Beach (Antonio Cuellar/Unsplash)

Markets

Bitcoin Holds Near $29K as Investors Weigh Rate Increases, Banking Contagion

BTC traded flat after a slight dip early Thursday. Ether also traded in a narrow range.

Higher interest rates and energy shortages have triggered concerns over a potential global recession (Getty Images)

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