Bitcoin
The first cryptocurrency, launched in 2009, running on a proof-of-work blockchain with a supply capped at 21 million coins and issuance that halves roughly every four years.
Also called BTC
The first cryptocurrency, launched in 2009, running on a proof-of-work blockchain with a supply capped at 21 million coins and issuance that halves roughly every four years.
Why it matters
Its fixed supply schedule is the feature most often cited by holders, and it is enforced by software rules that participants agree to run.
Related terms
- Halving
- Proof of Work
- Satoshi
Keep reading
DeFi
Financial services — lending, trading, derivatives — built from smart contracts rather than intermediaries,…
Staking
Committing tokens to help secure a proof-of-stake network, earning newly issued tokens and fees…
Audit
A review of a smart contract's code by a specialist firm, looking for vulnerabilities…
Exchange
A venue for trading assets. A centralised exchange holds customer funds and matches orders…
Whale
A holder large enough that their transactions can move a market on their own.
NFT
A token representing a unique item rather than an interchangeable unit, recorded on a…