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Questions and Answers
What is Bitcoin and why is its value surging?
Bitcoin is a purely digital currency that allows people to exchange value directly without a central party controlling the network. Its value is surging due to a surge of investor enthusiasm and demand.
What makes Bitcoin a secure currency?
The blockchain, which is a network of interlinked but independent computers that form a ledger of transactions between people across the world, prevents counterfeiting and double-spending, making bitcoin a secure currency.
How is Bitcoin created?
Bitcoin is created through a process known as mining, where miners use powerful computers to solve complex math problems to process transactions and unlock new digital coins.
What is the maximum number of bitcoins that can be mined?
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Why is Bitcoin becoming more mainstream?
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What are the risks of investing in Bitcoin?
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Why do Bitcoin bulls argue that the network is unhackable?
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What do Bitcoin bears warn about the asset?
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Study Notes
The Rise and Risk of Bitcoin: Understanding the Cryptocurrency
- Bitcoin, a purely digital currency, is surging in value due to a surge of investor enthusiasm and demand.
- Unlike other investments, bitcoin is not tied to physical assets or the US dollar, and its purpose is to allow two people to exchange value directly without a central party controlling the network.
- Bitcoin runs on a network of interlinked but independent computers that form a ledger of transactions between people across the world, known as the blockchain.
- The blockchain prevents counterfeiting and double-spending, making bitcoin a secure currency.
- Bitcoin is created through a process known as mining, where miners use powerful computers to solve complex math problems to process transactions and unlock new digital coins.
- Bitcoin's founding code was embedded with the condition that there would always be a finite number of coins available, and only 21 million maximum bitcoins can be mined.
- Bitcoin's scarcity is what gives it value, and its demand has grown due to more novice retail investors and larger institutional investors trading it.
- Bitcoin is becoming more mainstream due to its availability on apps like PayPal, Square, and Robinhood, and its resurgence is also closely tied to the state of global finance.
- The potential for big profits is driving a frenzy of momentum trading, but investing in bitcoin is risky due to the smallness of the market and the lack of insurance or backstops to it.
- Bitcoin's value is volatile, and its price will continue to see volatile swings until the market matures.
- Bitcoin bulls argue that the network is unhackable, but to take over the network, one would need to have their own network of computers running 24/7, which would cost billions of dollars.
- Bitcoin bears warn that the asset is too volatile for average investors and that it's a purely speculative bet that won't be able to scale.
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Description
Think you know everything about Bitcoin? Test your knowledge with our quiz on the rise and risk of this popular cryptocurrency. From the blockchain to mining and the potential for big profits, this quiz covers it all. See if you can separate the fact from fiction and understand the nuances of this digital currency. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, this quiz will challenge your understanding of Bitcoin and its future in the global economy.