Bitcoin is the first cryptocurrency to be ever created. It was created in 2008 and launched in 2009 by pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto.
Bitcoin runs on blockchain technology, which works like a public ledger. All Bitcoin transactions are verified by a network of nodes spread around the world.
Bitcoin is decentralized, transparent, and open source, making it a popular alternative to traditional financial systems.
What Is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is essentially digital money. It is the first cryptocurrency ever created, announced in 2008 (and launched in 2009). Bitcoin allows users to send and receive digital money called bitcoins (with a lowercase b, or BTC for short).
Unlike traditional fiat currencies issued by governments (like dollars or euros), Bitcoin is decentralized, meaning no single institution, government, or entity controls it. Transactions are conducted peer-to-peer, removing the need for banks or financial institutions to act as intermediaries.
What makes Bitcoin highly appealing is its inherent resistance to censorship, the impossibility of double-spending funds, and the ability to conduct transactions anytime and anywhere.
How Does Bitcoin Work?
Bitcoin operates on blockchain technology, a public ledger that records all transactions. This means every Bitcoin transaction is transparent, verifiable, and secure.
Imagine blockchain as a chain of blocks, where each block holds information about transactions. Every time someone uses Bitcoin, their transaction is added to the blockchain, and this record is stored across a global network of computers (called nodes).
This distributed network ensures that no single party can manipulate the data. Anyone can participate in the ecosystem by downloading Bitcoin's open-source software.
Decentralization: Bitcoin's blockchain is maintained by a distributed network of computers, ensuring no central authority controls the ledger.
Immutability: Once a transaction is added to the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted.
Security: Transactions are encrypted using cryptography, and verifying each block requires solving complex mathematical puzzles, a process known as mining.
BTC transaction example
When Alice sends a BTC transaction to Bob, the blockchain database updates their balances (e.g., removing 1 BTC from Alice and adding 1 BTC to Bob’s balance). It's like Alice is writing on a piece of paper (that everyone can see) that she's giving Bob 1 BTC.
When Bob goes to send the same funds to Carol, the network can easily check if he has enough BTC balance. The blockchain acts like a digital ledger that tracks all Bitcoin transactions and keeps the users’ balances up-to-date.
Since the network is decentralized, all participants (nodes) have an identical copy of the database (blockchain ledger) stored on their devices. So, they have to communicate constantly to synchronize new information.
Bitcoin mining
Bitcoin mining is the process that secures the Bitcoin network and confirms transactions. When a user makes a BTC transaction, they broadcast it to the network, where it is verified by other nodes known as "miners".
In other words, mining refers to the process of verifying transactions and recording them into the blockchain database (ledger). To do so, miners compete to solve a complex math problem, which requires a lot of computing power.
The first miner to solve the puzzle gets to add a new block of transactions to the blockchain. In return, they are rewarded with new bitcoins. The high cost of mining is one of the things that keep the network secure, and the block rewards given to miners are the only source of “fresh” bitcoins. Each block mined adds a certain amount of coins to the total supply.
Proof of Work (PoW)
To maintain the security and integrity of the blockchain, Bitcoin uses a consensus mechanism known as Proof of Work (PoW). It’s an essential part of the mining process described above.
PoW is a mechanism created along with Bitcoin to prevent double-spending in digital payment systems. Besides Bitcoin, many cryptocurrencies use PoW as a method for securing their blockchain network.
When we talk about a “complex math problem” that miners have to solve, we are basically talking about PoW. It was designed to make it expensive to create a block, but cheap to verify that it's valid. Suppose someone tries to cheat with an invalid block. In that case, the network immediately rejects it and the miner is unable to recoup the cost of mining.
What Is Bitcoin Used For?
Bitcoin is primarily used as a digital currency and store of value. It can be used to make purchases online or in person, similar to traditional currencies. More and more businesses are accepting Bitcoin as a payment method. From online retailers to brick-and-mortar stores.
You can also use Bitcoin to send money to anyone across the globe quickly and with relatively low transaction fees compared to traditional banks and remittance services.
As an investment, many people buy Bitcoin, hoping its value will continue to rise. While the price of BTC can be volatile, some investors see it as a way to diversify their portfolios and hedge against inflation in the long term.
Who Created Bitcoin?
Bitcoin was first introduced in 2008 when Satoshi Nakamoto published a whitepaper entitled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System". This paper introduced a new digital currency that would operate on a decentralized system without relying on governments or the banking system.
In January 2009, the Bitcoin protocol was released, and the first bitcoin transaction took place between Satoshi Nakamoto and a programmer named Hal Finney. The transaction involved sending ten bitcoins from Nakamoto to Finney.
After the first transaction, more people began to discover Bitcoin and join the network. The digital currency gained popularity among a small community of tech enthusiasts by demonstrating that Bitcoin could function without a central authority or intermediary.
Bitcoin Pizza is another important milestone in the history of Bitcoin, as it marked the first time bitcoins were used as a medium of exchange for a real-world transaction. On May 22, 2010, a programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz made history by using 10,000 bitcoins to buy two pizzas. The transaction became known as "Bitcoin Pizza Day" and is now commemorated every year on May 22.
Who Is Satoshi Nakamoto?
Satoshi Nakamoto's identity remains a mystery. Satoshi could be a person or a group of developers anywhere in the world. The name is of Japanese origin, but Satoshi's mastery of English has led many to believe that he or she is from an English-speaking country.
Did Satoshi invent blockchain technology?
Bitcoin combines a number of existing technologies that have been around for a long time, and this includes blockchain technology. The use of such immutable data structures can be traced back to the early 1990s when Stuart Haber and W. Scott Stornetta proposed a system for time-stamping documents. Much like today's blockchains, it relied on cryptographic techniques to secure data and prevent it from being tampered with. But Bitcoin was revolutionary in solving the double-spending issue that plagued other digital payment systems at the time.
How Many Bitcoins Are There?
The protocol sets the maximum supply of bitcoins at 21 million coins. As of September 2024, just over 94% of these have been mined, but it will take over a hundred years to produce the rest. This is due to periodic events known as Bitcoin halving, which reduce the mining rewards roughly every four years.
What Is Bitcoin Halving?
Bitcoin halving refers to the periodic halving events that reduce the block rewards offered to miners. The next Bitcoin halving is expected to happen in 2028, roughly four years after the last halving, which took place on April 19, 2024.
Bitcoin halving is at the core of its economic model as it ensures that coins are issued at a steady pace, getting increasingly difficult at a predictable rate. Such a controlled rate of monetary inflation is one of the key differences between Bitcoin and traditional fiat currencies, which have an essentially infinite supply.
Is Bitcoin Safe?
One of the main risks associated with Bitcoin is the potential for hacking and theft. For example, in phishing scams, hackers use social engineering techniques to trick users into revealing their login credentials or private keys. Once the hacker has access to the user's account or crypto wallet, they can transfer the victim's bitcoins to their own wallet.
Another way hackers can steal bitcoins is through malware or ransomware attacks. Hackers can infect a user's computer or mobile device with malware that allows them to access the user's Bitcoin wallet. In some cases, hackers can also use ransomware to encrypt a user's files and demand payment in bitcoins to unlock them.
Because bitcoin transactions are irreversible and not insured by any government agency, users must take precautions to protect their bitcoin holdings. This includes using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and storing bitcoins in a secure crypto wallet that is inaccessible to hackers. It's also important to only download Bitcoin-related software from trusted sources.
Another risk associated with bitcoin is price volatility. The value of bitcoin can fluctuate highly over short periods of time, making it a risky investment for those who are not prepared for the price fluctuations and potential losses.
Closing Thoughts
Bitcoin has come a long way from its humble beginnings, growing into a globally recognized cryptocurrency with numerous use cases. Whether you’re considering using Bitcoin for everyday transactions, investing for the future, or simply interested in the technology behind it, understanding how Bitcoin works is essential.
The future of Bitcoin is still being written, but it’s clear that it’s here to stay. With more companies accepting it and more people using it for investment, Bitcoin continues to revolutionize the way people think about money.
Further Reading
What Is Blockchain and How Does It Work?
What Is Proof of Work (PoW)?
What Is Cryptocurrency Mining and How Does It Work?
Who Is Satoshi Nakamoto?
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Bitcoin History: Surpasses 100,000 Dollars! A new milestone for the king of cryptocurrencies In an unprecedented event, Bitcoin has reached the impressive figure of 100,000 dollars, marking a new all-time high and consolidating its position as the leading cryptocurrency worldwide. This achievement is the result of a confluence of factors that have driven demand and confidence in this digital currency.
What has led Bitcoin to this new peak?
* Institutional adoption: Major companies and institutional investors have significantly increased their investments in Bitcoin, recognizing its potential as a reserve asset and a hedge against inflation.
* Scarcity: The maximum limit of 21 million Bitcoins and the halving of the block reward have contributed to increasing scarcity and, consequently, its value.
* Economic uncertainty: In a context of global economic uncertainty, investors are seeking safe-haven assets like Bitcoin.
* Technological development: Improvements in cryptocurrency infrastructure and the growing adoption of Bitcoin payment solutions have boosted its everyday use.
What does this mean for the future of Bitcoin?
This historic milestone opens a new chapter in Bitcoin's history and consolidates its position as one of the most important investments of the decade. While it is impossible to predict the future with certainty, many analysts foresee that Bitcoin will continue its upward trend in the coming years.
Are you ready to seize this opportunity?
Join the growing wave of Bitcoin and be part of the financial revolution!$BTC #TopCoinsSeptember $BTC $
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. The information provided through Binance does not constitute advice or recommendation of investment or trading. Binance does not take responsibility for any of your investment decisions. Please seek professional advice before taking financial risks.
Key Takeaways
Cetus is a protocol for decentralized exchanges and liquidity systems. It’s built on the Sui and Aptos blockchains.
Cetus’ mission is to build a flexible and reliable liquidity network that makes trading easier and more efficient for DeFi users.
The Cetus protocol adopts a concentrated liquidity market maker (CLMM) model that can enhance capital efficiency by allowing liquidity providers to choose a narrower price range for their positions.
What Is Cetus?
Cetus is a decentralized exchange (DEX) and concentrated liquidity protocol built on the Sui and Aptos blockchains. Its main goal is to make trading smoother and easier for everyone by creating a flexible and strong network for market liquidity.
Cetus also aims to give decentralized finance (DeFi) users a top-notch trading experience and make liquidity use more efficient across the Web3 space.
Key Features of Cetus
Permissionless
Cetus allows anyone, or any app, to use its core tools and functions freely. For example, users can use Cetus to create new trading pools or set up custom liquidity-related services. No special permissions are needed to get started.
Programmable
Cetus is a flexible liquidity protocol based on a liquidity model known as Concentrated Liquidity Market Marker (CLMM). Users can set up all kinds of trading strategies, including more complex ones that are more commonly found on centralized exchanges. The CLMM model also allows liquidity providers to maximize their capital efficiency.
Composability
Cetus is built with integration in mind, offering “Liquidity as a Service.” This means developers can easily tap into Cetus’s liquidity for their own services, like creating vaults, derivatives, or leveraged farming products. Cetus’s software tools also allow new projects to quickly set up trading or swapping interfaces on their own pages.
Sustainability
The Cetus ecosystem uses a double-token model to ensure the long-term sustainability of the protocol. Such a model is designed to offer long-term rewards for those who contribute and actively participate in the network activities.
CETUS is the main native token and xCETUS is a liquid staking token (LST) that represents staked CETUS.
Concentrated Liquidity Market Maker (CLMM)
In a standard automated market maker (AMM) model, liquidity is spread evenly across the whole price range. However, this often leaves most of the liquidity unused, especially in stablecoin pools where prices stay relatively stable.
In the concentrated liquidity market maker (CLMM) model, liquidity providers (LPs) can choose a narrower price range where trading activity is high, enabling them to earn more fees by putting their liquidity to better use.
In a CLMM system, each price range an LP chooses is called a position, and providers can set multiple positions within a liquidity pool to match their trading strategies.
When the market price moves outside a position’s range, that liquidity becomes inactive, meaning it stops earning fees until the price moves back within the range. This setup gives LPs flexibility to adjust their strategies based on market trends, possibly maximizing their returns by targeting active price zones.
Why Did Cetus Choose Sui and Aptos?
Cetus operates on the Sui and Aptos blockchain networks.
Sui is designed for high-speed transactions and instant settlements, making it great for apps that need quick responses. Its unique architecture also allows for creative new features in the Web3 space.
Aptos is a new blockchain with ambitions for speed, scalability, and resilience. As it grows, Cetus plans to be a key part of Aptos’s ecosystem, helping build a more efficient network.
What Can Liquidity Providers Earn on Cetus?
Liquidity providers on Cetus can earn incentives in a few different ways:
Transaction fees: Providers can earn fees based on active price ranges where their liquidity is used in trades. This is often LP’s primary method of earning.
Liquidity mining: LPs may get extra rewards based on their positions when collecting transaction fees in specific pools and price ranges. Liquidity mining generates specific NFTs that represent the position of liquidity providers.
Loyalty programs: Active participants may get extra incentives through loyalty programs like liquidity lockups and leaderboard events.
Cetus Tokens
Cetus has two tokens: CETUS and xCETUS.
CETUS is the main token of the Cetus Protocol, designed as an interoperable token to be used as a medium of exchange within the network. Users can earn CETUS through liquidity mining.
xCETUS is a non-transferable escrowed token that represents staked CETUS. Users can participate in the governance system of the Cetus network according to their voting power (defined by xCETUS holdings).
Closing Thoughts
Cetus is an innovative DEX on Sui and Aptos that adopts the CLMM model. Cetus aims to simplify trading by building a flexible and powerful liquidity network with tools that can provide a smooth trading experience and efficient liquidity use for DeFi users.
Further Reading
What Is a Decentralized Exchange (DEX)?
What Is Liquid Staking?
What Is an Automated Market Maker (AMM)?
Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer here for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.