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



Tech

JoinMarket Is About to Make Bitcoin Privacy More User-Friendly

Developers hope the forthcoming JoinMarket UI will give people an easier way to use CoinJoins to keep their Bitcoin transactions private.

(Hans-Peter Gauster/Unsplash)

Markets

Market Wrap: Cryptos and Stocks Rise on Possibility of Russia-Ukraine Talks

Some traders expect the price bounce to be short-lived amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Markets

Bitcoin’s Bounce Stalls Below $40,000

Rising alongside bitcoin are equity markets, with the Nasdaq higher by 4% from its worst levels on Thursday morning.

Tennis ball bouncing

Opinion

Apolitical Crypto Networks in Times of Sanction and War

If blackballed from the global financial system, will Russia turn to bitcoin?

Customers queue to use automated teller machines (ATM) inside a shopping mall in Moscow, Russia, on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian banks are facing a wave of international sanctions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Videos

El Salvador to Inaugurate Bitcoin-Funded Pet Hospital With Surplus Government Trust Fund

El Salvador will inaugurate a new public pet hospital, funded by a $4 million surplus in a government trust fund caused by bitcoin's rising value, according to President Nayib Bukele. "The Hash" crew questions whether this is the best-use case for the surplus bitcoin. "We're talking about $4 million, in a really poor country ... If you're trying to be an advertisement for bitcoin, go out there and help the people who badly need it," says co-host David Morris.

Recent Videos

Markets

Bitcoin Price Jump Faces Resistance at $40K-$46K; Support at $35K

For now, selling pressure has waned, which supports a short-term price bounce.

Bitcoin daily chart shows support/resistance, with RSI on bottom. (Damanick Dantes/CoinDesk, TradingView)

Policy

ECB Wants Quick Action on Crypto Regulation Following Russian Sanctions

The European parliament earlier today postponed a vote on a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.

ECB President Christine Lagarde (CoinDesk archives)

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