Bitcoin Basics
Start here. These guides explain what Bitcoin is, where it came from, and how it works under the hood. Read them in order to build a clear foundation, from the fixed supply to the network that secures it.
21 articles
Why Is There a 21 Million Bitcoin Limit?
Bitcoin's supply cap is one of its defining features, but the real maximum isn't exactly 21 million. Here's the math behind the number.
Why Was Bitcoin Invented?
Bitcoin was not invented by accident. It was a deliberate response to centuries of monetary mismanagement, and to a financial system that had just proven it could not be trusted.
What Is the Bitcoin Whitepaper?
On October 31, 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto published a nine-page document that proposed a new way to send money without banks. Here is what the Bitcoin whitepaper says, what it solved, and why it still matters.
The Story of Satoshi Nakamoto
Bitcoin was created by someone no one has ever met, whose name is almost certainly not their own. This is the story of Satoshi Nakamoto, the person who built the most significant monetary technology of the modern era, then walked away.
What Is a Blockchain?
A blockchain is a shared record of transactions that no one can rewrite. Learn how blocks are structured, why the chain is tamper-proof, and what makes this technology the foundation of Bitcoin.
What Is a Hash? The Cryptographic Engine Behind Bitcoin
A hash is a fixed-length fingerprint generated from any data. Learn how SHA-256, the avalanche effect, collision resistance, and the Merkle Root make Bitcoin secure and tamper-proof.
What Is Cryptography and Why Does Bitcoin Need It?
Cryptography is the science of securing information. Without it, Bitcoin could not exist. Here is what it is, how it evolved over thousands of years, and why it matters for every transaction you make.
What Are Bitcoin Addresses?
A Bitcoin address is where you receive bitcoin. Learn how addresses work, how they are created, and why the format you choose matters for fees and privacy.
What Is the Bitcoin Halving?
Every four years, the reward for mining a new Bitcoin block is cut in half. This mechanism, called the halving, is the mathematical engine behind Bitcoin's fixed supply of 21 million coins.
What Is Bitcoin Dominance?
Bitcoin dominance measures Bitcoin's share of the total cryptocurrency market cap. Learn how it is calculated, what it signals, and where the metric falls short.
How to Buy Bitcoin for the First Time
Buying Bitcoin for the first time can feel overwhelming. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process, from choosing an exchange to securing your coins safely.
How to Send and Receive Bitcoin
Sending and receiving Bitcoin is straightforward once you understand what happens behind the scenes. This guide walks you through every step, from finding your address to choosing the right fee and staying safe.
Bitcoin as a Payment Method
Bitcoin was designed as peer-to-peer electronic cash. But can you actually use it to pay for things today? The answer depends heavily on where you live and what problem you are trying to solve.
How Bitcoin Transactions Are Verified
Every Bitcoin transaction travels through a precise chain of steps before it is permanently recorded on the blockchain. This article explains how that verification process works, why it is designed this way, and what makes it so secure.
Common Misconceptions About Bitcoin
Eight of the most widely repeated claims about Bitcoin, and what the evidence actually shows.
What Is KYC and AML in Bitcoin?
When you sign up for a Bitcoin exchange, you encounter KYC. Here is what Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering regulations actually mean, why exchanges are legally required to apply them, and why the source of your Bitcoin matters more than most beginners expect.
The Role of Miners in the Bitcoin Network
Bitcoin miners do far more than generate new coins. They secure the network, confirm transactions, and make it impossible for any single party to take control. Here is how it works.
Bitcoin's Consensus Mechanism: A Deep Dive
Proof of Work and the longest chain rule are what let strangers agree on who owns what without a bank. A deep dive into how Bitcoin reaches consensus, why it costs energy on purpose, and why other networks are not the same.
Understanding Bitcoin Script
Bitcoin Script is the small programming language that decides how every coin can be spent. Learn how the stack works, why the language is deliberately limited, and what it makes possible.
How the Mempool Works
Before a Bitcoin transaction ends up in a block, it waits in the mempool. This deep dive explains how that waiting room works, how fees decide who goes first, and how to rescue a stuck transaction.
The Lightning Network Explained
Lightning is Bitcoin's payment layer. Learn why it exists, how payment channels and routing work, and where it still has room to grow.