Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Bitcoin, Satoshi and cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin - Basic Concepts

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is a decentralized cryptocurrency created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto. It is a form of digital money that works without the need for central banks or financial intermediaries. Bitcoin uses blockchain technology to record all transactions securely and transparently.

How does Bitcoin work?

Bitcoin works through a peer-to-peer network where users can send and receive payments directly. Transactions are verified by miners who solve complex mathematical problems, and each transaction is recorded in a block that is added to the blockchain. The system is protected by advanced cryptography.

Why does Bitcoin have value?

Bitcoin has value due to its scarcity (only 21 million will be created), utility as a medium of exchange, growing acceptance as a form of payment, and trust in blockchain technology. Its value is determined by supply and demand in the market, just like any other asset.

Satoshi - The Basic Unit

What is a Satoshi?

A Satoshi is the smallest unit of Bitcoin, equivalent to 0.00000001 BTC. The name honors Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. One complete Bitcoin equals 100 million Satoshis, allowing for very small and precise transactions.

Why use Satoshis?

Using Satoshis is useful for small transactions, micro-payments, and for better understanding Bitcoin's value. Since Bitcoin's price can be very high, working with Satoshis makes it easier to calculate values and make small-value transactions.

How to convert to Satoshis?

To convert Bitcoin to Satoshis, multiply the BTC value by 100,000,000. For example: 0.001 BTC = 100,000 Satoshis. Our SatoshiToday tool makes this conversion easy automatically with real-time quotes.

Long-term Accumulation

What is HODLing?

HODLing (originated from a typo of "HOLD") is an investment strategy where you buy Bitcoin and hold it for a long period, regardless of market volatility. The idea is that Bitcoin tends to appreciate in the long term, compensating for temporary declines.

What's the best strategy to accumulate Bitcoin?

The most effective strategy is "Dollar Cost Averaging" (DCA), where you invest a fixed amount regularly, regardless of price. This reduces market timing risk and allows you to accumulate Bitcoin over time, taking advantage of both highs and lows.

How long should I HODL?

The ideal time varies, but many investors consider a 4-8 year horizon (Bitcoin halving cycles). The important thing is to invest only what you can afford to lose and have patience to overcome market volatility. Remember: "Time in the market beats timing the market."

What is Bitcoin Halving?

Halving is an event that occurs every 210,000 blocks (approximately every 4 years) where miners' rewards are reduced by half. This decreases the supply of new Bitcoins, creating upward price pressure. Historically, halvings have been followed by bull markets.

Security and Best Practices

How to protect my cryptocurrencies?

Use hardware wallets (cold storage) for large amounts, enable two-factor authentication, never share your private keys, use strong and unique passwords, and keep secure backups of your seed phrases. Remember: "Not your keys, not your coins."

What is a seed phrase?

A seed phrase (or mnemonic phrase) is a sequence of 12, 18, or 24 words that represents your private keys. It's essential for recovering your cryptocurrencies if you lose access to your wallet. Keep it in a safe place and never share it with anyone.

Is it safe to leave Bitcoin on exchanges?

Exchanges are convenient for trading but not ideal for long-term storage. Use trusted and regulated exchanges, but transfer to personal wallets (especially hardware wallets) for HODLing. Diversify risk by not keeping everything in one place.

How to identify scams and fraud?

Be wary of promises of high returns, offers that are too good to be true, pressure to act quickly, and requests for private keys or seed phrases. Always research before investing, use only known platforms, and never send cryptocurrencies to unverified addresses.

Technical Questions

What is the blockchain?

The blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that records all Bitcoin transactions immutably and transparently. Each block contains multiple transactions and is connected to the previous block through cryptography, creating a secure and verifiable chain.

How do transaction fees work?

Transaction fees are paid to miners to include your transaction in the next block. Higher fees result in faster confirmations. The fee amount depends on network congestion and transaction size in bytes, not the Bitcoin value.

What is Lightning Network?

The Lightning Network is a second-layer solution that enables instant Bitcoin transactions with very low fees. It's ideal for micro-payments and frequent transactions, working as a payment channel network over the main blockchain.

Investment Strategies

How much should I invest in Bitcoin?

Invest only what you can afford to lose. A common rule is to allocate 1-5% of your portfolio to cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin being the largest part. Start small and gradually increase as you learn and feel comfortable with volatility.

Should I invest in altcoins too?

Bitcoin should be your foundation, but you can consider a small allocation in promising altcoins for diversification. Research extensively before investing and understand that altcoins are generally riskier than Bitcoin. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.

How to deal with volatility?

Volatility is normal in the cryptocurrency market. Keep focus on the long term, don't make emotional decisions based on daily price movements, and use the DCA strategy to smooth out highs and lows. Remember: Bitcoin has overcome all previous crises.

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