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

Crypto Market Cap Tumbled to $1.5T While Gold and Oil Prices Soar Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Michele Schneider, Marketgauge Group Managing Director, joins “First Mover” to discuss the current state of the crypto markets following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, Schneider shares her take on bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and storage of value, and the price actions of altcoins

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Opinion

The Case for Taxing Proof-of-Work

Most bitcoin owners aren't cypherpunks and don't require an energy-intensive consensus mechanism. A tax would shift them on to sensible alternatives. This post is part of CoinDesk's Tax Week.

(Umberto/Unsplash)

Markets

Pain Ahead for Major Cryptos on Ukraine Crisis, With Bitcoin Seen Less Risky by Some

Russia’s attack on Ukraine hit global markets on Thursday, sending crypto prices tumbling. Here’s what analysts are saying about the market.

Bitcoin cayó 9% hasta los $34.500 en las primeras horas de Asia. (TradingView)

Markets

Cardano’s ADA Dives 18%, Leading Plunge in Cryptos as Russia Begins War With Ukraine

Global stocks are tumbling alongside cryptocurrencies, with Western European indexes down nearly 5% and U.S. futures pointing to about a 3% opening decline.

(CoinDesk archives)

Markets

Crypto Market Capitalization Slumps to $1.5T as Russia Attacks Ukraine

The crypto market tumbled 9% on Thursday, with some analysts saying the asset class remained a risky offering.

Storm clouds gather. (Shutterstock)

Markets

Bitcoin Falls 7% as Russia Invades Ukraine; Experts Say Fed U-Turn on Rate Hikes Unlikely

It's a Catch-22 situation for the Fed, with geopolitical uncertainty posing risks to financial market stability and oil's move above $100 likely to bolster inflation.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at his renomination hearings in January. The Fed is mulling its 2022 interest rate plans. (Brendan Smialowski-Pool/Getty Images)

Markets

Bitcoin Crashes 9% as Missiles Strike Kyiv, Airport Captured

The world's largest cryptocurrency by market value was trading about $34,725 at time of writing after passing $39,000 on Tuesday. Markets in Asia are also down during trading day as the scale of war expands.

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Markets

First Mover Asia: China CBDC Is No Government Version of Bitcoin; Terra's Luna, Other Altcoins Jump

The eCNY and other CBDCs are digital versions of cash issued by a central bank, unlike bitcoin which has no single issuing authority; bitcoin surpassed $39,000 on Tuesday before dropping into the red.

People's Bank of China (Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images)

Videos

Bitcoin’s Fear & Greed Index Enters ‘Extreme Fear’ Territory

CoinDesk Markets Reporter Damanick Dantes joins “All About Bitcoin” host Christine Lee to discuss bitcoin markets as they react to rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine. With BTC futures, liquidations, and leverage levels remaining idle, Dantes indicates an uptick in bearish sentiment as the “Fear and Greed Index” enters “extreme fear” territory.

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