Capitalizations Index – B ∞/21M
bitcoin miners verify transactions by solving cryptographic puzzles: they repeatedly hash block data until finding a nonce that meets the difficulty target. The first valid solution earns rewards and confirms the block.
bitcoin cannot be counterfeited: cryptographic keys, digital signatures and decentralized consensus ensure every coin’s history is verifiable, immutable, and protected by computational proof.
bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency operating on a distributed ledger (blockchain). It enables peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries, secured by cryptography and consensus mechanisms.
Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of bitcoin, published its white paper in 2008 and launched the network in 2009. Their identity remains unknown, but their protocol reshaped digital finance.
Private keys are secret cryptographic codes that control bitcoin ownership. They sign transactions, proving authority to spend coins; lose the key and you lose access to the associated funds.
bitcoin can be stolen if private keys are compromised. Phishing, malware, weak backups and insecure custodians expose keys. Loss is irreversible; hardware wallets, cold storage and careful key management reduce risk.
bitcoin’s protocol is cryptographically robust and blockchain consensus prevents double-spending. True security depends on protecting private keys: loss or theft hands attackers full control of funds.
bitcoin hash: a fixed-length cryptographic digest produced by SHA-256 that uniquely represents transaction or block data. It ensures integrity, links blocks, and enables proof-of-work security.
Miners verify bitcoin transactions by validating digital signatures, checking inputs aren’t spent, assembling transactions into blocks, and solving a proof-of-work puzzle. Successful miners add blocks to the blockchain.
Private keys are secret alphanumeric codes that authorize bitcoin spending. Stored securely, they control access to funds; losing them means losing coins, so safekeeping and backups are essential.