What Is Bitcoin? The Ultimate Guide to Its Working, Mining & Buying

Bitcoin is the largest cryptocurrency, launched in 2009, and has been the single largest crypto in the world.
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What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is the largest and the first cryptocurrency started in 2009 after the Global Financial Crisis. The distrust in centralized fiat currency inspired Satoshi Nakamoto to create one of the first cryptocurrency that was Byzantile Fault Tolerant, meaning it created tokens (coins) that could be spent only once.

Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual assets that use cryptography to secure their transactions and to control the creation of new units. Cryptocurrencies are a type of crypto asset that uses a public ledger to record all transactions. Bitcoin is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency.

How Does Bitcoin Work?

Bitcoin works on a proof of work consensus mechanism, which means that every work done on the Bitcoin blockchain (adding of transactions) needs to be validated. This validation takes place through a consensus mechanism.

  • User generates a transaction.

  • The transaction is added to the memory pool from where validators pick it to validate.

  • Complex calculations are run to find the suitable nonce value, which proves that the transaction is legitimate.

  • Once proven, the miner sends it across the network.

  • When other validators confirm the nonce value, the transaction is said to have reached consensus.

  • It is then added to the blockchain.

How Do People in Bitcoin (Miners) Make Money?

Bitcoin is composed of thousands of miners who lend their computing power to secure the blockchain and verify its transactions.

There are a few different ways to make money. One of the most common ways is through BTC mining. New Bitcoins are generated by mining. Miners are rewarded an amount of Bitcoins for every block of transaction data that they process. 

In addition to mining, people can also earn Bitcoins by providing goods and services in exchange for the cryptocurrency or by buying it on an exchange. 

Some people simply hold onto their Bitcoins as an investment, hoping that they will appreciate in value over time. However, there are different ways to earn money from BTC trading, both in the spot and futures markets. 

Is Bitcoin (BTC) a Safe Investment?

There is no such thing as a safe investment. However, Bitcoin (BTC) does have a number of characteristics that make it relatively safer than other investments. For one, the total supply of Bitcoins is limited, so its value cannot be diluted by additional issuance. 

Second, its decentralized nature makes it difficult for governments or financial institutions to manipulate its price. This is also known as censorship resistance.

Finally, Bitcoin has been around since 2009 and has withstood numerous hacks and setbacks, proving its resilience and security. Nonetheless, BTC's volatility makes it risky for new participants. 

Is Bitcoin Mining Legal?

Bitcoin mining is legal in some countries like USA, UK, EU, South Korea, while it is outlawed in several regions like China, Russia, and Iran.

In some regions like Russia, Bitcoin miners have to apply for a license before they can mine and may be taxed a higher rate for their activities. 

However, before mining Bitcoin, it is crucial to cross-check if it is legal in your region and if a license is required.

Can You Mine BTC for Free?

Yes, you can mine Bitcoins for free; however, it will be at a very slow rate. The easiest way to get started with mining is to join a mining pool. A mining pool is a group of miners who combine their computational power in order to increase the chances of solving a block and earning rewards.

Mining pools typically charge a small fee for participating, but this is usually much smaller than the fees charged by cloud-mining services. In addition, mining pools allow miners to share their rewards more evenly. Cloud-mining services, on the other hand, are often much less forgiving when it comes to sharing rewards.

Can you Mine BTC at Home?

Yes, you can mine BTC at home. However, it's important to note that mining for BTC is not as simple as just clicking a button. In order to be successful, you'll need to invest in a good quality mining rig, which can be quite expensive. 

You'll also need to have access to cheap electricity, as mining BTC uses a lot of power. Remeber, it works on Proof of Work that requires computers to solve a complex puzzle and find the Nonce Value.

Additionally, you'll need to be located in an area with good internet connectivity, as mining requires a fast and stable connection.

And finally, you'll need some patience and persistence, as it can take quite some time to earn enough BTC through mining to make a profit. But if you're willing and able to commit to all of that, then yes – BTC can be mined at home.

How Long Does It Take To Mine 1 Bitcoin?

It takes around 10 minutes to mine a single Bitcoin. However, the time taken can vary drastically depending on the mining difficulty and the number of miners. For instance, when Bitcoin first launched in 2009, it took less than a minute to mine a block. 

As more miners joined the network and competition increased, the average time to mine (difficulty) a block rose to 10 minutes. Today, there are over 12 million actively mining Bitcoin rigs competing for rewards. The total hash rate currently stands at around 1018 hashes per second – that's over 1 quintillion calculations per second! Needless to say, it's not easy to earn a Bitcoin these days.

Which Bitcoin Exchange is Safest?

Bitcoin is the foremost and most popular cryptocurrency in existence. The value attached to it has attracted many to hold the coin, build around it and do much more. 

There is a myriad of crypto exchanges that list Bitcoin while offering trading features around this cryptocurrency. 

Some of these Bitcoin exchanges are safe, while others may have faced security issues in the past. 

Some of the safest Bitcoin Exchanges in existence are Binance, Coinbase, Gemini, and Kraken. 

Before using any of the aforementioned, please do your due diligence. It is also important to note that centralized or custodial exchanges have risks.

Is it Safe to Have Bitcoin on Coinbase?

Coinbase is a custodial exchange, meaning that users may have to store their Bitcoin in the exchange when using its services. 

Coinbase, over time, has shown itself to possess a high level of security when compared to other crypto exchanges. 

Notwithstanding, there are risks attached to storing one's Bitcoin in a custodial exchange.

How is Bitcoin Different from Ethereum?

Bitcoin and Ethereum are two different cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin was created in 2009 as a digital currency and payment system, while Ethereum was created in 2015 as a decentralized platform for smart contracts.

Bitcoin is based on blockchain technology, while Ethereum is based on the concept of decentralized applications (DApps). Bitcoin uses a Proof of Work algorithm to achieve consensus, while Ethereum uses a mixture of Proof of Work and Proof of Stake.

Bitcoin is more popular than Ethereum, but Ethereum has had more successful launches of DApps.

How To Exchange Bitcoins For Ethereum at The Best Price?

The first step in any exchange is choosing the right crypto exchange platform. A crypto exchange platform is one on which you can buy and sell cryptocurrencies. Crypto exchange platforms act like intermediaries- brokerage firms between buyers and sellers. It charges a set commission or fee for every transaction done using its services. Therefore, one would need to research a platform's history, credibility and what benefits it will offer the person for trading before selecting it. 

Moving on, coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum are easy to find on any exchange platform one is considering because of their popularity and are easy to exchange. You can exchange Ethereum for bitcoins; Likewise, you can exchange bitcoins for Ethereum. 

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to exchange Bitcoins for Ethereum.

  • Select Ethereum and bitcoin in the exchange window, selecting the amount you want to exchange. The minimum amount of bitcoin you can exchange is 0.002 BTC, which is 0.0241785 ETH equivalent.

  • Choose whether to carry on the exchange at floating rates or fixed rates.

  • Enter your wallet address.

  • Your wallet address and bitcoin value will be shown to you before you can proceed with the transaction. Ensure to confirm the details for carrying out the transaction. 

However, we must mention that exchanges on fixed rates are within narrow bands. So, the value of the Bitcoin you receive is already determined and is presented on your screen. On the other hand, exchanges on floating rates are not predetermined and are dependent on market fluctuations. 

Is Bitcoin, A Defi Cryptocurrency?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the definition of "DeFi" may vary from person to person. However, in general, Bitcoin could be considered a form of DeFi because it allows users to create contracts and agreements without the need for a third party. 

For instance, two people could agree to exchange Bitcoin for goods or services without needing to rely on a third party like a bank or government institution. Thanks to its decentralized nature, Bitcoin can be used as a tool for financial empowerment and censorship resistance, which are key features of DeFi applications.

What is Satoshi (Sats), and How Much is 1 Satoshi Worth?

A satoshi is the smallest denomination of Bitcoin. It is one-hundred-millionth of a single bitcoin (0.00000001 BTC). The name comes from Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin.

No one really knows who Satoshi is. Some say that Satoshi is a group of people, while others believe that Satoshi is a single individual. Whoever Satoshi is, they are the creator of Bitcoin and arguably the most important figure in the cryptocurrency space.

1 Satoshi is worth 0.00000001 Bitcoin or a Bicoin equals 100 million Sats.

How to Invest in Bitcoin in India?

There's no doubt that cryptocurrencies are slowly becoming safe methods of transacting. People invest in cryptos like Bitcoin because it is the oldest and most popular crypto coin in the world. Also, like the Indian rupee or US dollar, Bitcoin has a value that enables it to function like fiat currency. 

Although trading crypto in India has its perks, many business owners accept Bitcoin. Due to its high demand by Indian residents, the future of bitcoin in India is promising. Owing to these reasons, you must know how to invest in Bitcoin in India.

Is Bitcoin Legal in India?

At the moment, there's no Indian law that prohibits the selling and buying of bitcoin in the country. Therefore, investing in Bitcoin in India is legal.

However, using Bitcoin the same way you use fiat currency is yet to be authorised by the Indian government. Also, when issues during transactions arise, there are no laid down rules used in resolving these issues. Hence, investing in Bitcoin comes with risks.

Steps to Invest in Bitcoin in India

Residents of India can invest in bitcoin via platforms like coinbase and CoinDesk. Using Bitcoin exchange platforms is safer and has reduced the risk of you losing money. Here are steps to take when investing in bitcoin in India.

Get Verified

The first thing to do before you begin investing in bitcoin is to acquire verification on legal parameters. You can get verified by undergoing KYC (Know Your Customer). Also, for KYC, you'd need your bank account information, proof of address, photographs, and PAN card. You must use your details if you're the one investing in Bitcoin. 

Choose a Bitcoin Exchange

Buying Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies requires that you use a crypto exchange platform. A crypto exchange platform involves sellers and buyers exchanging dollars for cryptocurrencies. Also, it's important that, as a beginner, you use platforms that have low fees and are easy to navigate. 

In India, there are top crypto exchange platforms like CoinDCX, WazirX and ZebPay.  Always carry out research on your preferred platform before opening an account and investing. 

Create an account

The next step in investing in Bitcoin in India is to create an account with your preferred crypto exchange platform. I thought you may have read and agreed to the policies of the crypto exchange platform; select your preferred investment plan. To buy Bitcoin, on the platform, all you have to do is make a transfer.

Invest

The last step is to place your investment. You begin this step by selecting the coin for your investment. In this case, bitcoin. After the investment is successful, you must store codes in your account. The codes ensure that your investment has low risk of being hacked.

Disclaimer: Voice of Crypto aims to deliver accurate and up-to-date information but will not be responsible for any missing facts or inaccurate information. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile financial assets, so research and make your own financial decisions.

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