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



Videos

Bitcoin Network Activity Sees Uptick Amid Ordinals Protocol Popularity: Report

Network activity on the Bitcoin blockchain has hit a level not seen since China banned crypto miners in May 2021, according to data from CryptoQuant. The uptick stems from the popularity of the Ordinals protocol, which allows NFTs to be stored on Bitcoin. Okcoin Chief Operating Officer Jason Lau reacts to the report.

Recent Videos

Markets

First Mover Americas: Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Suggests SEC Could Ban Staking

The latest price moves in crypto markets in context for Feb. 9, 2023.

(Micheile/Unsplash)

Markets

Bitcoin Network Activity Spikes to Two-Year High Thanks to NFTs, CryptoQuant Says

Transactions are coming from the popularity of the recently deployed Ordinals protocol, which allows for NFT-like tokens to be stored on-chain.

Los NFT lideran la actividad en la blockchain de Bitcoin. (Ordinals Protocol)

Markets

First Mover Asia: Bitcoin Hovers Near $23K; Why AI Tokens Are on a Months-Long Tear

ALSO: Shaurya Malwa writes that institutional investment has made a compelling argument for AI-related protocols; LDO jumps after a tweet by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong.

Bitcoin was hovering near $17.3K. (Oliver Furrer/Getty Images)

Tech

Bitcoin NFTs Explode in Popularity as BitMEX Research Shows 13,000 Ordinals

Interest has skyrocketed following the first Ordinals transaction on Dec. 14.

Ordinals is exploding on Bitcoin (DALL-E/CoinDesk)

Markets

Crypto Markets Analysis: Ether Pulls Even With Bitcoin in Year-to-Date Performance

BTC had been outperforming ETH, but the spread between the two largest cryptocurrencies has now evaporated as the ether supply continues to decline.

Bitcoin and ether's gains this year are now roughly neck and neck. (Ralfs Blumbergs/Unsplash)

Videos

FTX Bankruptcy Judge Allows Company to Subpoena Bankman-Fried; Craig Wright Loses Bitcoin Copyright Claim in UK Court

U.S. Judge John Dorsey ordered that FTX's new leadership and its official creditor committee can subpoena the crypto exchange's founders and former executives, including Sam Bankman-Fried. Plus, the file format of the Bitcoin blockchain can’t be protected by copyright, a U.K. judge has found, ruling against self-proclaimed inventor Craig Wright.

CoinDesk placeholder image

Tech

Bitcoin’s Newfound NFT Hype Attracts Interest of BSV Developer Twetch

Twetch has already built a suite of NFT apps on the Bitcoin SV blockchain. So the new push by Ordinals to bring NFTs to the Bitcoin blockchain looks like an opportunity for expansion.

Ordinals Inscriptions (ordinals.com)

Policy

Craig Wright Loses Bitcoin Copyright Claim in UK Court

The self-proclaimed author of the Bitcoin white paper claims Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash violate his intellectual property rights.

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

Markets

First Mover Americas: The Sandbox Is Up on Saudi Arabia Partnership News

The latest price moves in crypto markets in context for Feb. 8, 2023.

(Sandbox screenshot, modified by CoinDesk)

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