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Private & public keys and addresses
When you send or receive cryptocurrency, a private key authorizes transactions. The public key lets others verify their signatures, while an address…
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Crypto foundations.
Cryptography, blockchains and cryptocurrency mechanics, with their risks and limitations.
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Initial coin offerings explained
An initial coin offering (ICO) raises money by selling digital tokens, usually through a blockchain. Buyers pay with traditional currency or cryptocurrency.…
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The HODL meme explained
In cryptocurrency, HODL means keeping a cryptocurrency through price swings instead of selling in response to short-term price changes. The term began…
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Why cryptocurrency mining uses computing power
In Bitcoin and other proof-of-work cryptocurrencies, miners use computing power to compete to add the next block of transactions. They repeatedly calculate…
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Bitcoin mining, costs and energy use explained
Bitcoin miners use specialized computers to compete to add blocks of transactions to Bitcoin’s shared ledger. They make repeated cryptographic guesses, consuming…
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How monetary systems work
Most money people use is held in bank accounts. Commercial banks create deposits when they lend. The central bank issues cash and…
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Hard Fork, Soft Fork
A blockchain fork changes the rules that computers running blockchain software, called nodes, use to accept blocks. A soft fork tightens those…
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Bitcoin Memory Pool
A Bitcoin transaction can remain unconfirmed while it waits for a miner to include it in a block. Nodes may store it…
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Dollar-cost averaging explained
With regular investing, share prices differ from one contribution to the next. Dollar-cost averaging means investing a fixed amount on a schedule,…
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What is the Genesis Block?
Bitcoin’s Genesis Block, or block 0, starts the mainnet blockchain, the chain for Bitcoin’s primary transaction history. Each later block links to…
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The Byzantine generals problem explained
In a distributed computer network, a faulty server can stop responding. It can also send false information or give different answers to…
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Double-spending and race attacks explained
In Bitcoin, a double-spend attempt uses the same funds in two conflicting transactions. A valid Bitcoin chain cannot include both transactions. Before…