A Beginner's Guide To Bitcoin And Cryptocurrency - Cryptocurrency News

After cresting the $65,000 mark in November 2021, bitcoin -- along with a whole lot of other cryptocurrencies -- has once again crashed in value, falling below $20,000 in June 2022. That dramatic swing is quintessential of crypto, and a useful reminder to investors that this is among the most volatile assets around. Still, 2022 has been an inflection point for bitcoin and cryptocurrency, as it has penetrated more deeply into financial services and culture, gaining an expansive foothold in popular art, commerce and other corners of the mainstream. 

If you're looking for a primer on bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, you're in the right place. We'll take a look at the basics -- what bitcoin is, where it comes from and how to buy it -- as well as a range of other topics including valuation, legality and its practical applications.

But first: A quick backstory

Bitcoin was invented in 2009 by a person (or group) who called himself Satoshi Nakamoto. His stated goal was to create "a new electronic cash system" that was "completely decentralized with no server or central authority." After cultivating the concept and technology, in 2011, Nakamoto turned over the source code and domains to others in the bitcoin community, and subsequently vanished. (Check out the New Yorker's great profile of Nakamoto from 2011.) 

What is bitcoin?

Simply put, bitcoin is a digital cryptocurrency. No bills to print or coins to mint. It's decentralized -- there's no government, institution (like a bank) or other authority that controls it. Owners are anonymous; instead of using names, tax IDs or social security numbers, bitcoin connects buyers and sellers through encryption keys. And it isn't issued from the top down like traditional currency; rather, bitcoin is "mined" by powerful computers connected to the internet. 

How does one 'mine' bitcoin?

A person (or group, or company) mines bitcoin by doing a combination of advanced math and record-keeping. Here's how it works. When someone sends a bitcoin to someone else, the network records that transaction, and all the other transactions made over a certain period of time, in a "block." Computers running special software -- the "miners" -- inscribe these transactions in a gigantic digital ledger. These blocks are known, collectively, as the "blockchain," an eternal, openly accessible record of all the transactions that have ever been made. 

How does one 'mine' bitcoin?

A person (or group, or company) mines bitcoin by doing a combination of advanced math and record-keeping. Here's how it works. When someone sends a bitcoin to someone else, the network records that transaction, and all the other transactions made over a certain period of time, in a "block." Computers running special software -- the "miners" -- inscribe these transactions in a gigantic digital ledger. These blocks are known, collectively, as the "blockchain," an eternal, openly accessible record of all the transactions that have ever been made. 

What can I do with bitcoin?

While there are some places where you can spend bitcoin, many people just hang on to them, like you would with other long-term investments. The price volatility of bitcoin makes it difficult to transact day-to-day purchases -- though a handful of crypto-powered debit and credit cards are beginning to change that.

How do I buy bitcoin?

If you're willing to assume the risk associated with owning bitcoin, there are plenty of digital currency exchanges like Coinbase and FTX where you can buy, sell and store bitcoins. 

Getting started is as minimally complicated as setting up a Paypal account. With Coinbase, for example, you can use your bank (or Paypal account) to make a deposit into a virtual wallet, of which there are many to choose from. Once your account is funded, which usually takes a few days, you can then exchange traditional currency for bitcoin.

Speaking of Paypal, a number of established money services now offer in-app bitcoin purchasing, which makes it quick and easy for beginners to get their feet wet. It's also worth noting that some platforms charge considerably higher fees to make certain transactions, which can end up eroding your investment if you do a lot of trading. So you should read the terms carefully before buying to make sure you understand the limitations of service.

Is all of this legal?

Short, qualified answer: Yes, for now, as long as -- like any currency -- you don't do illegal things with it. For instance, bitcoin was the sole cryptocurrency accepted on Silk Road, the Dark Web marketplace for drugs and other illicit goods and services that was shuttered by the FBI in 2013.

Since then, bitcoin has largely evaded regulation and law enforcement in the US, although it's under increased scrutiny as it attracts the mainstream attention of institutional investors. Though it's legal to buy and sell bitcoin, many aspects of the industry, such as tax concerns for investors, still occupy a gray area that could be vulnerable to future regulation and/or law enforcement action.