Key takeaways
What is bitcoin? |What do you need to invest in bitcoin |How to invest in bitcoin in 4 steps | Is bitcoin a good investment | Different ways to invest in bitcoin |
Over the last several years, you’ve probably seen “Bitcoin” suggested as a cutting-edge investment option. There’s been a lot of debate about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, its proponents arguing that it’s the future of currency and investing, while its detractors argue that it’s a risky investment option that may not generate big returns.
What exactly is Bitcoin, and how can you determine whether it’s the right investment for you? Read this beginner’s guide on how to invest in Bitcoin.
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin was created by a programmer or group of programmers using the name, “Satoshi Nakamoto.” But the real creator(s) of Bitcoin is still unknown to the public.
Bitcoin is one of the most widely used types of cryptocurrency. In a cryptocurrency system, virtual “coins” or “tokens” are used instead of physical cash. Coins have no intrinsic value and they aren’t backed up by gold or silver.
Bitcoin was created to solve a couple of big cryptocurrency flaws. First, it was designed to prevent crypto coins from being fraudulently duplicated. Think about how easy it is to make copies of the data on your computer—documents, photos, files, etc.
Cryptocurrency wouldn’t be possible if anybody could just duplicate a coin and create an unlimited amount of currency for oneself. You can’t just make copies of a $20 bill, right? Likewise, there’s a need to prevent people from reproducing crypto coins.
Bitcoin uses a digital technology called “blockchain,” which is an advanced coding mechanism that disperses a single code over thousands of different computers. For example, let’s say that your coin is built from the code, “XDA146DDS.”
Blockchain segments the code into smaller pieces and stores the pieces of code across many computers. If a hacker wanted to gain access to the code, they’d have to hack a variety of different computers to access the entire code.
Blockchain also employs a “public ledger,” which uses thousands of computers (referred to as “nodes”) to keep track of coins and their owners. If a coin’s data is changed, the nodes will cross-reference each other’s records to verify whether the change is accurate and that it was initiated by the coin’s owner.
So, you might be asking, what is Bitcoin used for?
Once you purchase coins, you can use them in online transactions wherever they’re accepted. Remember, when you make a transaction with a coin, there’s no actual money being pulled from your bank account. Money only leaves your bank account when you purchase the coin itself—not when you make purchases with a coin.
Like cash currency, the value of a coin may fluctuate. That’s why some investors are getting excited about Bitcoin and other types of cryptocurrency. Investors speculate that the value of Bitcoin coins may rise significantly if there’s a surge in the market. I’ll explain the arguments for and against cryptocurrency investment later on.
What Do You Need to Invest in Bitcoin?
You don’t need very much to invest in Bitcoin! You only need your:
•Personal identification documents
•Bank account information
•A secure internet connection
If you’re going to be purchasing coins through a stockbroker, you may not need to supply your personal information or financial information because your stockbroker will likely have all that on record.
How to Invest in Bitcoin in 4 Steps
Here’s how to invest in Bitcoin, in 4 easy steps.
1. Join a Bitcoin Exchange
First, you’ll need to determine where you want to make a Bitcoin purchase. Most Bitcoin investors use cryptocurrency exchanges. There’s no official “Bitcoin” company because it’s an open-source technology, but there are several different exchanges that facilitate Bitcoin transactions. These exchanges are the middlemen of cryptocurrency investing, like a stock brokerage.
If you decide to purchase from an exchange, you’ll have to decide which exchange you want to buy from. Here are a few of the most popular options:
Coinbase: A very popular crypto exchange that insures losses in the event of a security breach or fraudulent transfers
Bitfinex: The longest-running cryptocurrency exchange that’s optimized for advanced traders and lenders (unfortunately, Bitfinex doesn’t currently accept US customers)
Strategize the strengths and weaknesses of the company.

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