When did Bitcoin emerge?
Bitcoin was launched on October 31, 2008, when a person or group under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto sent an email to a community of cryptography enthusiasts. In the email, he presented the idea of an innovative financial system: “a new electronic cash system, completely peer-to-peer, without the need for trusted third parties.”
Who created $BTC ?
Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity remains a mystery. Some theories suggest that he may be a single person or a group of developers. His last public post was on December 12, 2010, on the BitcoinTalk forum where he was active. In April 2011, Nakamoto sent a farewell message to developers, stating:
"I've moved on to other things. This is in good hands with Gavin [Andresen] and everyone else."
Some names associated with Nakamoto's possible identity include:
Gavin Andresen: Developer who took over the Bitcoin code.
Hal Finney: First recipient of a Bitcoin transfer and close collaborator on the project.
Nick Szabo and Adam Back: Computer scientists mentioned in the Bitcoin white paper.
Craig Steven Wright: Computer scientist who self-proclaimed himself Nakamoto in 2016, without providing evidence.
Elon Musk: One theory suggests that Musk could be Nakamoto, but he denies this hypothesis.
How does Bitcoin work?
Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency, with an issuance limit of 21 million units. Unlike traditional currencies, it is not controlled by governments or financial institutions. All transactions are recorded in a system called blockchain, which functions as a large, public and immutable ledger.
Why is Bitcoin safe?
Blockchain, the technology underlying Bitcoin, is considered revolutionary for its security and decentralization:
Transactions are protected by advanced encryption.
The registry is decentralized and maintained on thousands of computers around the world, making fraud or cyberattack attempts difficult.
Each block of data is connected to the next by unique codes, making the system virtually tamper-proof.
How are new bitcoins issued?
The process of issuing bitcoins is known as mining. It works like this:
Specialized computers compete to solve complex mathematical problems.
The first one to solve it receives bitcoins as a reward and records the transactions on the blockchain.
Over time, the process becomes more difficult, reducing the issuance of new coins and increasing their scarcity.
Why does Bitcoin fluctuate so much in value?
The price of Bitcoin follows the law of supply and demand. Since its issuance is limited and its operation does not depend on governments or central banks, factors such as investor interest, market news and regulations directly influence the price.
Can Bitcoin appreciate further?
Yes. Experts are betting on long-term appreciation due to factors such as:
Scarcity: Only 21 million bitcoins can be issued, which increases interest as the currency becomes rarer.
Store of value: Many see Bitcoin as a digital alternative to gold, used to protect against inflation and currency fluctuations.
Growing adoption: Companies, banks, and institutional investors are increasingly buying and accepting Bitcoin, which reinforces its credibility.
Bitcoin in everyday life
Today, you can use Bitcoin to:
Buy products and services, such as hotel reservations, pizzas and even real estate.
Make online payments on different platforms.
Companies like Tesla have already bought billions in Bitcoin and have even accepted it as payment. In the United States and several other countries, popular payment services allow purchases directly with cryptocurrencies.
Sources:
G1
InfoMoney
