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



Policy

Banking Heavyweights Oppose Basel’s Proposed Rules on Crypto Capital Requirements

Banks including JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank oppose “overly conservative” proposals they say would prevent banks from getting involved in crypto asset markets.

Bank for International Settlements. Basel, Switzerland.

Markets

Bitcoin Bounces Off 6-Week Low, Tracking Recovery in Stocks

“The long-term uptrend still has a hold on bitcoin,” one analyst said.

Bitcoin's daily chart (TradingView)

Finance

Brazilian Investment Bank BTG Pactual Launches Crypto Platform

Mynt, which will be available in the last quarter of 2021, will initially allow exposure to bitcoin and ether.

BTG Pactual's office

Markets

Market Wrap: Bitcoin Sell-Off Deepens as Equity Volatility Rises

Analysts expect further choppiness this week as investors seek safety from risk assets.

Bitcoin 24-hour chart (CoinDesk)

Videos

Global Equity Markets Hit by Chinese Developer Evergrande’s Default Fear

A sea of red across the global equities markets is impacting crypto prices as bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency by market cap, slipped below $45,000 Monday. Robert Zagotta, CEO of Bitstamp USA, discusses why he sees the correction as purely short-term, adding "a lot of the volatility we're experiencing right now is expected." Plus, his take on bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, stablecoins, and the U.S. crypto regulatory landscape.

Recent Videos

Videos

September Bitcoin Correction? BTC Slips Below $45K

Past data shows September dips pave the way for larger bull runs, particularly those seen after a halving year. Bitcoin underwent its third mining-reward halving in May last year. The first and the second halvings took place in 2012 and 2016. "All About Bitcoin" host Christine Lee breaks down the Chart of the Day.

Recent Videos

Videos

El Salvador’s Bitcoin Law Is ‘Banking the Unbanked’

As bitcoin slips below $45,000, Adriana Rodriguez, a crypto advocate in El Salvador, joins “All About Bitcoin” from her country to discuss the potential impact of bitcoin’s pullback on the Central American nation’s Bitcoin Law and the overall state of crypto there. “Basically, we’re banking the unbanked,” Rodriguez said.

CoinDesk placeholder image

Policy

Central Banks vs. Private Currencies: ‘The Future of Money’ With Economist Eswar Prasad

Economist Eswar Prasad’s latest book is an ambitious overview of the changing nature of money.

(Eswar Prasad)

Markets

Crypto Funds See Inflows, Despite Slower Overall Volumes

Solana, which suffered a network outage that lasted nearly 20 hours last week, saw inflows of $4.8 million.

Credit: Shutterstock

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