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

Bitcoin Climbs Above $60K After Report That SEC Won’t Block Futures ETF

The key cryptocurrency’s price touched $60,300 Friday.

Bitcoin's price has crossed above $60,000 for the first time since April. (CoinDesk)

Videos

Bitcoin Spikes After Bloomberg Reports SEC Won’t Block Futures ETF

Bitcoin rallied Friday following reports that a bitcoin futures ETF is likely to clear the U.S. SEC. Omer Ozden, CEO of New York-based merchant bank RockTree Capital, discusses his crypto markets analysis and outlook. Plus, his take on the impact of China’s crypto crackdown on trading in Asia.

CoinDesk placeholder image

Markets

Ether, Bitcoin to Strengthen in Coming Weeks, FSInsight Says

The firm’s first upside target for bitcoin is close to $61,000 and then the highs from earlier this year of around $64,860.

(Shutterstock)

Markets

Market Wrap: Ether Outperforms Bitcoin as Traders Look to Altcoins

Analysts see strong fundamentals for alternative cryptocurrencies.

Ether 24-hour price chart (CoinDesk)

Markets

Bitcoin Erases Spike Above $58K as Fed Minutes Raise Specter of Faster Stimulus Unwinding

Short-term puts are trading at relatively higher prices than calls, signaling nervousness in the crypto market.

(Lightspring/Shutterstock)

Videos

Bitcoin Erases Spike Above $58K as Fed Minutes Raise Specter of Faster Stimulus Unwinding

Bitcoin showed signs of exhaustion after the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s September meeting, released late Wednesday, flagged inflation concerns and revealed growing support for a faster unwinding of stimulus. "All About Bitcoin" host Christine Lee breaks down the Chart of the Day.

Recent Videos

Markets

If Crypto Causes ‘Instability,’ It’s Because the System Is Unstable

Crypto is increasingly interconnected in the global financial system, regulators warn. But the potential knock-on effects of a crypto market collapse would be of their own making.

Did someone say "bubble?"

Finance

El Salvador’s State-Owned Banco Hipotecario Taps Four Crypto Startups for Blockchain Products

The four-member alliance is already working on products to boost financial inclusion with bitcoin in the Central American country.

San Salvador, El Salvador (Mauricio Cuéllar/Unsplash)

Tech

Stacks Foundation, Brink to Fund Bitcoin Development Fellowship Using ‘Stacking’ Rewards

The organizations estimate they will raise $165,000 over one year.

Executive Director Brittany Laughlin of the Stacks Open Internet Foundation (Stacks)

Finance

Strike Users in US Can Now Get Paid in Bitcoin

Tested with professional athletes, the service is now widely available in 48 U.S. states.

Strike CEO Jack Mallers (Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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