I know nothing about Bitcoin other than you can not see it, touch it or physically measure it? Oh my, so then it is not an object, but it has value. I am so confused. Why do I not understand anything about Bitcoin? I want to begin to understand and start on the road to some basic comprehension of this new economy.
The Beginning of Bitcoin
Bitcoin was the first Cryptocurrency created. It was started on January 3, 2009. It was originally worthless. In May of 2012, Two Papa John’s Pizzas were purchased for 10,000-bitcoin, which put its value at 4/10th of a cent. It is now the most valuable and well-known Cryptocurrency. It may help to understand it is not the only Cryptocurrency out there. Still, I think to start out I will seek out info and a basic understanding of only Bitcoin.
Bitcoin Vocabulary
In order to get started on the road to basic understanding of Bitcoin, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with some key terms. Let’s break down some Bitcoin terms in a way that might be easier for a child or an old Lady to understand. Here’s a list of essential terms to get you started:
Bitcoin (BTC): The original and best known Cryptocurrency, it is often called digital gold. Imagine Bitcoin as a special type of money that only exists in the digital world. It’s like having special coins and bills, but you can’t touch them because they’re on the computer.
Blockchain: A ledger that records transactions across a network of computers. Think of a blockchain as a super-duper notebook that many people share. The notebook records when someone gives or receives special digital money (Bitcoin). When something is written down in the notebook, it’s there forever, and everyone can see it.
Cryptocurrency: Also known as Digital or virtual currencies. These use cryptography for security and operate on decentralized networks. Cryptocurrency is like magical money that is super safe because it uses secret codes (cryptography) to keep it secure. It’s not like the money you can hold in your hand, but it is stored safely in the computer.
Wallet: A placeholder that allows you to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies digitally. Wallets can be hardware, software, online, or offline. A wallet is like a special piggy bank for your digital money. It’s a place where you can keep your Bitcoins safe. Instead of holding it in your hand, you keep it in your virtual wallet on the computer.
Private Key: This is a secret cryptographic key. This key allows the owner to access and control their cryptocurrency holdings. Your private key is like a secret password for your special piggy bank. Only you know it, and it lets you access and use your digital money in your wallet.
Public Key: This is like your special address that you can share with others. People can use it to send you digital money, but they can’t take money from you because only your private key can do that. This is like your special address that you can share with others.
Mining: This is the process by which new bitcoins are created. Transactions are then added to the blockchain by solving complex mathematical problems. Mining is like a computer game where you solve puzzles to earn new digital money (Bitcoins). Imagine it as digging for treasure in the digital world.
Hash: A fixed-size string of characters produced by a cryptographic function, which is unique to the input data. A hash is like a secret code, ensuring everything in the digital world stays safe and organized. It’s like a super-secret stamp that keeps things in order.
The Ones I Had Not Heard Of
Node: A computer that participates in the decentralized network. This then maintains a copy of the blockchain. A node is like a friendly digital assistant that helps keep track of all the digital money transactions. It’s part of the team that ensures everything is fair and secure.
Altcoin: Cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin, like Ethereum, Ripple, or Litecoin. They are like different types of candies in the digital candy store. They are all candy but have different flavors.
Fork: Is a split in the blockchain. This results in two separate versions of the chain with different protocol rules. A fork is like when a road splits into two. Sometimes, the digital money system does that too, creating two different paths for the digital money.
Exchange: A place or platform where users can buy and sell cryptocurrencies. An exchange is like a marketplace where you can trade your digital money for other types or even for regular money. It’s like going to a digital toy store.
ICO (Initial Coin Offering): A fundraising method where new projects sell their underlying crypto tokens to the public. This is a special event or fair where new digital money is available, and people can get it for the first time. It’s like a grand opening for a digital store.
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): When one is anxious that one might miss out on an opportunity, leading to impulsive decisions. is like feeling worried that you might miss a fun party or a good sale at the digital store. It’s important to be patient and not make hasty decisions.
HODL: A misspelling of “hold,” often used in the context of keeping and not selling cryptocurrencies, especially during market fluctuations. Kind of like holding onto your favorite toys and not selling them, even if others want to buy them. Be patient and do not worry when things change.
Satoshi: This is the name of the smallest unit of a Bitcoin, named after its pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Satoshi is like a mystery friend who created the special digital money (Bitcoin). Nobody knows who Satoshi is, but we thank them for inventing it.
Smart Contracts: Self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. Smart contracts are magic agreements that happen when certain conditions happen. It’s like having a robot helper for deals.
Decentralization: The distribution of power and control away from a central authority or government. This is like having lots of friends share toys and make decisions together. It’s not just one person in charge; everyone plays a part.
Wallet Seed: A set of random words used to generate the private key and recover a wallet if lost. This is like a magic spell that helps you get back your special piggy bank if you ever forget your password. It’s your backup plan.
Blockchain Explorer: Is an online tool to view and explore the contents of a blockchain. This includes transactions and wallet addresses. A blockchain explorer is like a special map that helps you see all the cool things happening in the digital world. You can explore and learn about your digital money adventures.
Confused
Sure, I am a bit confused, but we tried to find ways for you to see Bitcoin terms in a way that might be easier for a child or an old Lady to understand.
These terms should provide a foundation for understanding the basic concepts surrounding Bitcoin. As you gain understanding, you can explore more advanced topics and stay updated on developments in the field. I hope these playful comparisons make it easier to understand some complex concepts related to Bitcoin.
