Bitcoin
was invented by a software developer using a pseudo name, Satoshi Nakamoto in
2009.Bit-coins are neither coins nor conventional currency. Bitcoin is in fact
an algorithm based on mathematical calculations. A peculiar trait about bitcoin is that, it is
not backed by tangible commodities such as gold or silver; rather they are
traded online which makes them a commodity in themselves.
The name
‘Bitcoin’ might suggest that it is some coin but actually it is a "crypto
currency", a digital form of payment that is produced by people worldwide.
It allows peer-to-peer transactions instantly, worldwide, at a very low cost or
even free. Like
conventional currencies, users can utilize the digital currency to buy goods
and services online as well as in some physical stores that accept it as a form
of payment. Currency traders can also get bitcoins in Bitcoin exchanges.
Few differences between Bitcoin and
conventional currencies.
- Bitcoin does not have a centralized authority or a government or a bank i.e bit-coins are totally decentralized. The peer-to-peer payment network is managed by users and miners around the world. Bitcoin is anonymously transferred directly between users online, without going through a central authority. This means that transaction fees are much lower and even free in many cases.
- Bitcoin is produced in the market by a process called "Bitcoin mining". Miners around the world produce new bit-coins by making use of mining software to solve complex bitcoin algorithms and to approve Bitcoin transactions. These miners are awarded with a transaction fee.
- The amount of Bit-coins circulated is limited. This occurs because solving bitcoin algorithm becomes difficult as more bit-coins are generated. The maximum amount in circulation is capped at 21 million. It is estimated that this amount will be touched only by the year 2140 A.D. This makes Bit-coins more valuable as more people use them.
- A public ledger called 'Block chain' records all Bitcoin transactions and shows each Bitcoin owner's respective transactions. Block chains can be accessed by all the members of bitcoin to verify their transactions. This makes the digital currency more transparent and predictable. Thereby reducing the chances of any fraudulent transactions.
- Any person, who wishes to get bit-coins, can do so by either mining it or through Bitcoin exchanges.
- Bitcoin are stored in special bitcoin wallets similar to holding a bank account.