Bitcoin
Learn what Bitcoin is, how it works, why investors pay attention to it, and explore tools, research, and educational resources.
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a digital currency that runs on a worldwide network of computers, with no government or bank in charge. It was the first cryptocurrency, launching in 2009, and it remains the largest and most widely followed.
Instead of a central authority, Bitcoin uses a public ledger called a blockchain to record every transaction, and its supply is capped at 21 million coins. This hub gathers our beginner-friendly Bitcoin guides, tools, market data, and research in one place, so you can learn at your own pace.
Four ways to get oriented
The core Bitcoin pages on the site, in a sensible order for beginners.
Latest analysis
Money Masters briefings on Bitcoin and crypto: what happened and what it means.
Bitcoin guides
Beginner-friendly explainers that go deeper on each part of Bitcoin.
Important people
Figures connected to Bitcoin. Read their profiles for context, not endorsement.
Bitcoin tools
Free calculators and models to explore Bitcoin on your own terms.
Related concepts
Plain-English ideas that help Bitcoin make more sense.
Bitcoin market
Where to watch the price and the wider market. Data, not predictions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a digital currency that runs on a global, decentralized network of computers, with no bank or central authority in charge. It launched in 2009 and lets people send value over the internet directly. Its supply is capped at 21 million coins, which are tracked on a public ledger called a blockchain.
Who created Bitcoin?
Bitcoin was introduced by a person or group using the name Satoshi Nakamoto, who published the Bitcoin white paper in 2008 and released the first software in 2009. Satoshi later stepped away from the project, and the real identity behind the name is still unknown.
Why is Bitcoin different from traditional currencies?
Traditional currencies like the dollar are issued and managed by governments and central banks, which can adjust the supply. Bitcoin has no central issuer, a fixed maximum supply, and a public record of every transaction. Those differences make it behave very differently from government-issued money.
What is Bitcoin mining?
Mining is the process that adds new transactions to the Bitcoin blockchain and keeps the network secure. Computers around the world compete to solve a difficult math problem, and the winner records the next block of transactions. New bitcoins are released to miners as part of this process, on a schedule that slows over time.
What is a Bitcoin wallet?
A Bitcoin wallet is software or a device that stores the private keys used to access and send your bitcoin. The coins themselves live on the blockchain, while the wallet holds the keys that prove ownership. If you lose access to those keys, you can lose access to the funds, so safe storage matters.
Why do investors follow Bitcoin?
Investors follow Bitcoin because it is the largest and most established cryptocurrency, and its price can move sharply. Some study it as a new kind of asset, while others follow it to understand the wider crypto market. This page is for learning about Bitcoin, not financial advice.
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Educational content only. This page explains Bitcoin in plain English for learning. It is not investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell anything. Cryptocurrency is volatile and carries risk. Always do your own research and consider speaking with a licensed financial professional.