Bitcoin is a digital currency created in January 2009. It follows the ideas set out in a whitepaper by the mysterious and pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin offers the promise of lower transaction fees than traditional online payment mechanisms and, unlike government-issued currencies, it is operated by a decentralized authority. This book is the story of bitcoin presented in a way that will leave you to have enough information to hold your own when discussing bitcoin. A rich story that drives to the heart of understanding bitcoin and other forms of currency and money, the book critically analyses bitcoin, and the people and organizations behind the cryptocurrency. The heart of the thesis is that while cryptocurrencies are touted as trustless, you actually need to trust a great many people when and if you use a cryptocurrency.Bitcoin is a digital currency created in January 2009. It follows the ideas set out in a whitepaper by the mysterious and pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin offers the promise of lower transaction fees than traditional online payment mechanisms and, unlike government-issued currencies, it is operated by a decentralized authority. This book is the story of bitcoin presented in a way that will leave you to have enough information to hold your own when discussing bitcoin. A rich story that drives to the heart of understanding bitcoin and other forms of currency and money, the book critically analyses bitcoin, and the people and organizations behind the cryptocurrency. The heart of the thesis is that while cryptocurrencies are touted as trustless, you actually need to trust a great many people when and if you use a cryptocurrency.Bitcoin is a digital currency created in January 2009. It follows the ideas set out in a whitepaper by the mysterious and pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin offers the promise of lower transaction fees than traditional online payment mechanisms and, unlike government-issued currencies, it is operated by a dec