Macro Economics
Bitcoin did not appear in a vacuum. These guides look at what money is, what makes money good, and how Bitcoin compares to gold and the wider financial system.
5 articles
What Is Money?
Money is something we use every day, but few people can explain what it actually is. This article breaks down the three functions of money, traces its history from barter to Bitcoin, and asks: does Bitcoin qualify?
The Characteristics of Good Money
Not all money is created equal. Eight properties separate good money from bad, and understanding them explains why Bitcoin is more than just a trend.
Bitcoin vs. Gold: A Store of Value Comparison
Gold has been the world's store of value for thousands of years. Bitcoin claims to do the same job better. The decisive difference may not be scarcity or portability. It is something more fundamental: the ability to verify the supply for yourself.
The Environmental Debate Around Bitcoin
Bitcoin uses real energy, but the data tells a more nuanced story than the headlines. A look at consumption, the energy mix, grid stability, and how mining drives green power.
What Is the Network Effect, and Why Does Bitcoin Have One?
A messenger with one user is useless. A telephone without a second telephone is a paperweight. Money has the same problem, and Bitcoin started with exactly one participant. Here is how networks gain value from the people in them, how fast that has happened before, and where Bitcoin stands today.