Bitcoin (BTC) is the oldest and most valuable cryptocurrency, often compared to TSMC in the Taiwanese stock market—a must-know asset for anyone entering the crypto space.
This guide covers Bitcoin's origins, how it works, its potential, and risks.
What Is Bitcoin (BTC)? How Does It Work?
👉 Bitcoin (BTC/Bitcoin), launched in 2008, is the first decentralized cryptocurrency designed as a peer-to-peer payment system.
Initially dismissed as a niche tech experiment, early adopters traded Bitcoin for fun. Some websites even gave away 5 BTC for free—worth over $400K today!
The first real-world Bitcoin transaction happened on May 22, 2010, when programmer Laszlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas for 10,000 BTC (now ~$8B).
Today, Bitcoin is a mainstream asset with a $1.6T+ market cap, surpassing Meta and Tesla.
Key Features
- Digital-Only – No physical coins; transactions happen via wallets/exchanges.
- Decentralized – No government or bank controls it—run by a global network of miners.
- Transparent Ledger (Blockchain) – All transactions are recorded on an immutable public ledger.
Who Created Bitcoin?
Bitcoin was invented by the anonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, who published its whitepaper in 2008 and vanished in 2010. Nakamoto’s 1M BTC (worth ~$80B) remains untouched, likely lost forever.
Bitcoin Supply: How Many BTC Exist?
✅ Total supply: 21M BTC
✅ Circulating (2025): 19.85M BTC (~94.5% mined)
✅ Final BTC mined by: 2140
Bitcoin Halving
Every ~4 years, mining rewards halve, slowing new supply. Post-halving, BTC often surges (e.g., 2020’s halving sparked a bull run).
| Halving # | Year | Reward/BTC | Total Mined |
|-----------|----------|------------|------------|
| 1 | 2012 | 25 | 10.5M |
| 2 | 2016 | 12.5 | 15.75M |
| 3 | 2020 | 6.25 | 18.375M |
| 4 | 2024 | 3.125 | 19.69M |
Why Does Bitcoin Have Value?
- Scarcity – Capped supply resists inflation (e.g., Argentina/Uruguay citizens use BTC to preserve wealth).
- Network Effect – Adoption by institutions (BlackRock, Fidelity) and nations (El Salvador) boosts utility.
- Decentralization – No single entity controls it.
Risks of Investing in Bitcoin
- Volatility: BTC dropped from $69K (2021)** to **$16K (2022).
- Regulation: Governments can restrict exchanges (e.g., China’s 2021 crypto ban).
How to Buy Bitcoin
Recommended Exchanges
- Local: MAX (Taiwan)
- Global: 👉 OKX (Low fees, high liquidity)
FAQ
Q: Is Bitcoin safe?
A: Technically, yes—but price volatility demands caution.
Q: Can I buy fractional BTC?
A: Yes! Minimum purchases start at ~NT$200.
Q: How do I cash out BTC?
A: Sell on exchanges like MAX and withdraw to your bank.
👉 Ready to invest? Start with OKX—secure, low-cost, and beginner-friendly!
**Keywords**: Bitcoin, BTC, cryptocurrency, invest Bitcoin, Bitcoin halving, blockchain, Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin exchange.
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