Bitcoin is a digital currency that can be bought, sold, and exchanged directly without the need for intermediaries like banks. Satoshi Nakamoto was the original creator of Bitcoin. He stated that he needed an electronic payment system that relied on cryptographic evidence instead of trust.

Bitcoin is not only the first cryptocurrency but also one of the most well-known among the over 6,000 cryptocurrencies currently in existence. The financial media covers every dramatic high and stomach-churning fall, making Bitcoin an integral part of the landscape.

Every Bitcoin transaction ever made is recorded on a public ledger that can be accessed by everyone. This makes it difficult to reverse or falsify transactions. This is by design. Bitcoins don’t have any government backing or institutions that issue them. There’s no guarantee of their value other than the proof embedded in the system.

Bitcoin’s value has increased dramatically since its public launch. Bitcoin was once worth less than $150 per coin. However, as of July 1, 2021, one Bitcoin is now worth more than $30,000, though it even reached $50,000 before falling. Its supply being limited to 21,000,000 coins, many who own the coins anticipate its price will only continue to rise as institutional investors start to treat it as a kind of digital gold to hedge against market volatility.

How Bitcoin is used

People in the United States use Bitcoin to diversify their portfolios, and it is a popular alternative investment. Although you can use Bitcoin to purchase, the number of vendors who accept it is limited. A service can connect your debit card to your crypto account. This allows you to use Bitcoin in the same way as you would credit cards. This generally means that your Bitcoin can be instantly converted into dollars by a financial provider. 

People sometimes use cryptocurrency to replace their currency in other countries, especially those with less stable currencies. Bitcoin  gives people the option to hedge against the worst case scenario. 

Blockchain

Bitcoin is built upon a distributed digital record known as a blockchain. Blockchain is a linked data body, as the name suggests. It is made up of blocks, which contain information about every transaction. This includes date, time, total value, buyer, seller and unique identifying codes for each exchange. The digital chain of blocks is created by the aggregation of entries in chronological order. Blockchain is not managed by any single organization. Your copy is also updated as it’s updated by other people.

Although it may sound risky to think that anyone could edit the Bitcoin blockchain, this is actually what makes Bitcoin secure and trustworthy. To add a transaction block on the Bitcoin blockchain, it must first be verified by all Bitcoin holders. The unique codes that are used to identify wallets and to process transactions must also conform to the correct encryption pattern.

These codes are random and long making it difficult to fake. This level of statistical randomness blockchain verification codes is required for every transaction greatly reduces the chance anyone could make fraudulent Bitcoin transactions.

Bitcoin mining

Bitcoin mining refers to adding transactions to the Bitcoin blockchain. It is a difficult job. The proof of work process is used by people who mine Bitcoin. This involves deploying computers in a race against the clock to solve mathematical puzzles that verify transactions. The Bitcoin code rewards miners who solve puzzles and help the system by giving them new Bitcoins to encourage them to continue to race.

It was possible to mine Bitcoin in the early days. But that is no longer true. Bitcoin’s code was designed to make it more difficult over time. It requires more computing resources. To be successful in Bitcoin mining, you need powerful computers and cheap electricity.

Where to Buy Bitcoin

Many people purchase Bitcoin through exchanges like Coinbase. You can buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrency through exchanges. To open an account, you will need to verify your identity as well as provide some type of funding source such a bank account, debit card, or bank account. Coinbase, Kraken and Gemini are the most popular exchanges. Robinhood is a broker that allows you to buy Bitcoin.

No matter where you purchase your Bitcoins, you will need a digital wallet to store them. It could be a hot wallet, or cold wallet. Hot wallets (also known as online wallets) are stored by exchanges or providers in the cloud. A cold wallet, also known as a mobile wallet, is an offline device that stores Bitcoin but is not connected to any internet. 

While Bitcoin can be expensive, some vendors allow you to buy fractional Bitcoin. Fees are a small percentage of the crypto transaction amount, but can add up to large-dollar purchases. Remember that Bitcoin purchases take longer than other equity investments. It may take up to 10-20 minutes for your Bitcoin transaction to appear in your account, as it must be verified by the blockchain.

Investing In Bitcoin

You can invest in Bitcoin like a stock. Bitcoin IRAs are a special retirement account that allows you to buy and hold Bitcoin. No matter where your Bitcoin is held, there are many ways to invest it. Some people buy and hold for the long-term, others buy and sell when prices rise, while others place bets on Bitcoin’s price falling. 

Important note: Although crypto-based funds can be used to diversify crypto holdings and reduce risk, they still have significantly more risk and are subject to higher fees than broad-based index funds that have proven steady returns. For investors who want to steadily grow their wealth, index-based mutual funds and exchange-traded fund (ETFs) may be a good option.

Although many financial professionals support clients’ desire for cryptocurrency to be purchased, they won’t recommend it unless clients are interested. Some planners recommend cryptocurrency for their clients’ side investments due to its speculative nature. Make sure that it doesn’t take up too much of your portfolio than what you are willing to lose.

Information is for educational  purposes only and is not be interpreted as financial advice. This does not represent a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Consult your financial advisor.