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

ENS Looks to a New Era of Interconnected Software

ENS Director of Operations Brantly Millegan believes the next worldwide naming system will be based on blockchain. He expects this new tech to be portable and completely interconnected. "I think this is actually a great example of a phenomenon the people cal Ethereum Legos so that people can build all these different systems and protocols, and then you don't have to reinvent the wheel each time you can just plug in to use that system without permission," he said.

Recent Videos

Videos

What is the Bitcoin Halving? CoinDesk Explains

Bitcoin's third halving in May 2020 is either the least or most important news in bitcoin in years. This regular process will change how many bitcoin miners can create and, more importantly, could ramp up the price. How does it work? Why does it happen? And what will happen to your bitcoin when the big day comes? CoinDesk explores the upcoming halving in this quick, easy-to-understand video.

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Videos

Consensus Distributed Powered by CoinDesk Is Coming. Join Us May 11-15, 2020

These are unique times. These are difficult times. These are times full of opportunity. Learn how to make the most of them. Join us on May 11-15 for Consensus Distributed, an online conference full of surprises and learn about the future of finance, crypto, and the world.

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Videos

Bitcoin 101: Why You Should (Maybe) Buy Bitcoin and How

Have you been dealing with bitcoin FOMO for the past 10 years? Well deal no longer. In this session, our expert speakers will not only explain why so many people think bitcoin is a great investment, but will answer your questions about why others are skeptical about it. You'll also learn how to buy, store and use your bitcoin safely—which is a big challenge for new hodlers. Join Jesus Rodriguez, Ray Youssef,Jason Lau, Ron Kochman, Luis Buenaventura, and Jack Tatar to talk about how to buy and HODL.

Recent Videos

Videos

Mad Mesh: Sending Messages and Bitcoin When the World is On Fire

Most of us - locked in our own homes - are spending every waking minute connected to the internet. What if... that signal went dead? It's a frightening proposition that some people recently - think Venezuela, India, Iran - have had to deal with. No way to make sure their friends and family are OK and definitely no way to get money to them quick should they direly need it. Or is there? Join us for a demo of off-grid messaging technology goTenna and TxTenna, which allow users to send bitcoin without internet, followed by a Q&A with decentralized applications engineer Rich Myers. If you're a crypto survivalist, this session is for you!

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Markets

Open Positions on Bitcoin Options Pass $1B for First Time

Open contracts on bitcoin options rose to record highs on Thursday as the cryptocurrency’s price rose into five figures. It's not necessarily a bullish sign, though.

Credit: Skew

Markets

Bitcoin Breaches $10K for First Time Since February

Bitcoin's price has broken the $10,000 barrier just days before its next halving.

Bitcoin broke $10,000 for the first time in three months just days before its next halving. (Credit: CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index)

Markets

Market Wrap: Bitcoin at $9.9K as Halving Chatter Increases

Bitcoin’s price keeps gaining as people increasingly talk about the halving - but the event’s potential after-effects may be considered an afterthought for many investors.

Source: CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index

Markets

Hedge Fund Pioneer Turns Bullish on Bitcoin Amid 'Unprecedented' Monetary Inflation

Paul Tudor Jones II, a pioneer of the modern hedge fund industry, is ready to bet on bitcoin’s price as an inflation hedge.

The Tudor double rose (Credit: National Museum of American History)

Markets

Bitcoin Outperforming Gold and Stocks so Far This Month

Bitcoin looks to have decoupled from traditional markets as investors refocus on the network's imminent mining reward halving.

Month-to-date bitcoin price chart (Credit: CoinDesk BPI)

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