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Book Crypto Uncovered

Download or read book Crypto Uncovered written by Sarah Swammy and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-01-24 with total page 181 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Crypto currency integrated BlockChain under Virtual Scalable Enterprises is a widely debated and earnestly discussed topic in the technology arena. Executives at the largest institutions are calling crypto currency fraudulent while high-level institutional banking professionals are leaving their positions to jump into crypto technology, regulation and investment opportunities as industries advance towards adoption. The narratives on these topics are diametrically opposite and polarizing on both side of the debate. While this debate has many layers from a government regulatory side to social impact to the practicality of everyday use of crypto currencies in developing markets, it is safe to assume that crypto currencies or utility tokens are more than a global phenomenon and are now becoming a working framework for optional modes of business. This book demystifies what crypto currency is, how it is used, and what it means to the consumer, investor, and the future of our global currency marketplace. By providing the historical backdrop to the market, authors Sarah Swammy, Richard Thompson, and Marvin Loh provide a clear definition of what crypto-currencies actually are, how they are being used and by whom, and the unique reasons why they have gone from back street to Main Street almost overnight. The book will also delve into the government’s role in regulating this commerce medium. Lastly, the authors will look at the current global monetary policy and discuss if this type of currency phenomena was a direct result while also examining the potential risk and rewards for investors and the economy.

Book Bitcoin and Blockchain

    Book Details:
  • Author : Sandeep Kumar Panda
  • Publisher : CRC Press
  • Release : 2020-09-21
  • ISBN : 1000178838
  • Pages : 1314 pages

Download or read book Bitcoin and Blockchain written by Sandeep Kumar Panda and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2020-09-21 with total page 1314 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In recent years, blockchain development has grown quickly from the original Bitcoin protocol to the second-generation Ethereum platform, and to today’s process of building third-generation blockchains. During this evolution, we can see how blockchain technology has evolved from its original form as a distributed database to becoming a fully fledged, globally distributed, cloud computing platform. This book traces the past, present, and future of blockchain technology. Presents the knowledge and history of Bitcoin Offers blockchain applications Discusses developing working code for real-world blockchain applications Includes many real-life examples Covers the original Bitcoin protocol to the second-generation Ethereum platform Bitcoin and Blockchain: History and Current Applications is a useful reference for students, business schools, research scholars, practitioners, and business analytics professionals.

Book The Bitcoin Evolution

Download or read book The Bitcoin Evolution written by and published by Xspurts.com. This book was released on with total page 207 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Bitcoin Evolution: From Obscurity to Mainstream - Dive Deep into the Phenomenon that's Redefining the Future of Global Finance! In The Bitcoin Evolution: From Obscurity to Mainstream, the transformative journey of Bitcoin is laid bare, offering readers an unparalleled insight into the meteoric rise of a digital currency that went from being the plaything of tech-enthusiasts to becoming a formidable force in the world of finance. Introduction - Begin your exploration, setting the scene for a riveting deep-dive into the realm of Bitcoin. Demystifying Bitcoin - Navigate the intricate maze of Bitcoin, its origins, its evolution, and the reason it's taken the financial world by storm. Blockchain: The Pillar of Bitcoin - Decode the groundbreaking technology that ensures Bitcoin's decentralized nature and unmatched security. The Gears of Bitcoin - Unveil the intricate mechanics of Bitcoin, from the energy-intensive world of mining to the instantaneous nature of transactions. Bitcoin's Many Faces - Explore the diverse ecosystem of Bitcoin, including its forks and various offshoots. The Investor's Playbook - Steer through the exhilarating yet perilous waters of Bitcoin investment, equipped with actionable insights and strategies. Guarding Your Digital Fortune: Wallets - Dive deep into the realm of Bitcoin wallets, your primary tool to store, receive, and send this digital gold. Bitcoin Mining Decoded - Venture into the cryptic world of Bitcoin mining, where new coins are birthed and transactions are verified. Legal Labyrinths - Stay ahead of the curve with in-depth knowledge of the regulatory environment, tax intricacies, and legal challenges facing Bitcoin. Securing the Bitcoin Bastion - Fortify your Bitcoin holdings against cybersecurity threats and master strategies to shield your assets. Bitcoin and its Economic Ripple - Gauge Bitcoin's profound impact on global economies, financial systems, and industries. Tangible Touchpoints - Discover how Bitcoin seamlessly melds into real-world applications, from online shopping to philanthropy and beyond. Social Implications - Engage with the wider societal ramifications of Bitcoin, from championing social justice to revamping traditional privacy norms. Peeking into Tomorrow - Speculate on the tantalizing possibilities of Bitcoin's future, from innovation bursts to potential global dominance. Traversing Troubled Waters - Recognize the inherent challenges, environmental debates, and risks shadowing the Bitcoin domain. The Grand Finale - Round off this enlightening journey, reflecting on Bitcoin's blazing trail and anticipating its future trajectory. The Bitcoin Evolution: From Obscurity to Mainstream is an indispensable compass for those keen to navigate the tumultuous seas of cryptocurrency. Immerse yourself in this magnum opus, and emerge enlightened about the currency that promises to dictate the financial symphony of the future!Table of Contents Introduction What is Bitcoin? Brief history of Bitcoin Why Bitcoin matters Understanding Blockchain Technology What is blockchain? How does blockchain work? The benefits of blockchain technology How Bitcoin Works Mining Transactions Wallets Nodes Types of Bitcoin Bitcoin Cash Bitcoin Gold Other forks and variations Investing in Bitcoin Risks and rewards of Bitcoin investment How to buy and sell Bitcoin Choosing a Bitcoin exchange Managing Bitcoin investments Bitcoin Wallets What are Bitcoin wallets? Types of Bitcoin wallets How to choose a Bitcoin wallet Setting up and using a Bitcoin wallet Bitcoin Mining What is Bitcoin mining? How does Bitcoin mining work? The benefits and downsides of Bitcoin mining Regulations and Legal Issues in Bitcoin Government regulations on Bitcoin Tax implications of Bitcoin Legal issues surrounding Bitcoin Bitcoin and Cybersecurity Cybersecurity risks associated with Bitcoin Best practices for securing your Bitcoin The future of Bitcoin and cybersecurity Bitcoin and the Economy Bitcoin's impact on the global economy The potential future of Bitcoin and the economy Bitcoin and the financial industry Real-World Applications of Bitcoin Bitcoin in e-commerce Bitcoin and cross-border payments Bitcoin and charitable giving Bitcoin and the music industry Bitcoin and Society The impact of Bitcoin on society Bitcoin and social justice Bitcoin and democracy Bitcoin and privacy The Future of Bitcoin Predictions for the future of Bitcoin Bitcoin innovations on the horizon The role of Bitcoin in a changing world Risks and Challenges of Bitcoin The downside of Bitcoin The risks of investing in Bitcoin Bitcoin environmental concerns The Grand Finale: Bitcoin's Journey in the Spotlight The impact of Bitcoin on the world Final thoughts and recommendations.

Book The Evolution of Bitcoin

    Book Details:
  • Author : Matthew Law
  • Publisher :
  • Release : 2021-11-05
  • ISBN : 9781794846616
  • Pages : 146 pages

Download or read book The Evolution of Bitcoin written by Matthew Law and published by . This book was released on 2021-11-05 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Interest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is booming. From people looking to invest in Bitcoin to miners processing transactions in exchange for coins, everyone is trying to get a piece of this digital currency and the value it holds. Even big businesses like Tesla and PayPal are investing in Bitcoin, while companies like Walmart and IBM are leveraging the blockchain technology that runs Bitcoin to develop new ways in how we use and store data. Despite what some naysayers might tell you, Bitcoin is not dying, and cryptocurrency is here to stay. But before you dive into the cryptocurrency market, you must be prepared. Bitcoin's price is volatile thanks to its very nature, while hackers and scammers are always finding new ways to steal coins and cash from others. Investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum can be profitable but is riskier than any other type of investment out there. Before you try your hand at investing in Bitcoin, The Evolution of Bitcoins: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Bitcoins and Blockchains will help introduce you to: ★the cryptocurrency market and the world that encompasses it; ★various cryptocurrencies, like Ethereum and Dogecoin; ★crypto wallets and crypto exchanges; ★the difference between hot wallets and cold wallets; ★mining rigs and mining pools; ★decentralized apps (dApps) and ★decentralized financing (DeFi); ★proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems; ★buying and selling Bitcoin and other altcoins. From blockchain to mining, crypto exchanges to ICOs, this book will arm you with the knowledge you need to help you prepare for, and get started, in investing in Bitcoin and other altcoins. Thank you once again for taking the time to read this book. If you enjoyed it, please leave a review on Amazon. I read every review and they help new readers to discover my books.

Book The Book of Satoshi

    Book Details:
  • Author : Phil Champagne
  • Publisher : E53 Publishing LLC
  • Release : 2014-06-11
  • ISBN : 9780996061308
  • Pages : 394 pages

Download or read book The Book of Satoshi written by Phil Champagne and published by E53 Publishing LLC. This book was released on 2014-06-11 with total page 394 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Have you, like the rest of the world, speculated as to the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, anonymous creator of Bitcoin? The world's first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin went online in 2009 and has since revolutionized our concepts of currency and money. Not supported by any government or central bank, completely electronic, Bitcoin is a virtual currency based on advanced cryptographic systems. Like the currency he created, the identity of Bitcoin's creator Satoshi Nakamoto is virtual, existing only online. The Nakamoto persona, which may represent an individual or a group, exists only in the online publications that introduced and explained Bitcoin during its earliest days. Here, collected and professionally published for the first time are the essential writings that detail Bitcoin's creation. Included are: Satoshi Nakamoto Emails and Posts on Computer Forums Presented in Chronological Order; Bitcoin Fundamentals Presented in Layman's Terms; Bitcoin's Potential and Profound Economic Implications; The Seminal Paper Which Started It All. The Book of Satoshi provides a convenient way to parse through what Bitcoin's creator wrote over the span of the two years that constituted his "public life" before he disappeared from the Internet ... at least under the name Satoshi Nakamoto. Beginning on November 1st 2009 with the publication of the seminal paper describing Bitcoin, this public life ends at about the time PC World speculated as to a possible link between Bitcoin and WikiLeaks, the infamous website that publishes leaked classified materials. Was there a connection? You be the judge. Nakamoto's true identity may never be known. Therefore the writings reproduced here are probably all the world will ever hear from him concerning Bitcoin's creation, workings, and theoretical basis. Want to learn more about Bitcoin? Go directly to the source - the writings of the creator himself, Satoshi Nakamoto!"--Amazon.com viewed October 1, 2014.

Book Digital Gold

    Book Details:
  • Author : Nathaniel Popper
  • Publisher : HarperCollins
  • Release : 2016-05-17
  • ISBN : 0062572067
  • Pages : 299 pages

Download or read book Digital Gold written by Nathaniel Popper and published by HarperCollins. This book was released on 2016-05-17 with total page 299 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2015 FINANCIAL TIMES AND MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR A New York Times technology and business reporter charts the dramatic rise of Bitcoin and the fascinating personalities who are striving to create a new global money for the Internet age. Digital Gold is New York Times reporter Nathaniel Popper’s brilliant and engrossing history of Bitcoin, the landmark digital money and financial technology that has spawned a global social movement. The notion of a new currency, maintained by the computers of users around the world, has been the butt of many jokes, but that has not stopped it from growing into a technology worth billions of dollars, supported by the hordes of followers who have come to view it as the most important new idea since the creation of the Internet. Believers from Beijing to Buenos Aires see the potential for a financial system free from banks and governments. More than just a tech industry fad, Bitcoin has threatened to decentralize some of society’s most basic institutions. An unusual tale of group invention, Digital Gold charts the rise of the Bitcoin technology through the eyes of the movement’s colorful central characters, including an Argentinian millionaire, a Chinese entrepreneur, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Already, Bitcoin has led to untold riches for some, and prison terms for others.

Book Cryptocurrencies and the Blockchain Revolution

Download or read book Cryptocurrencies and the Blockchain Revolution written by Brendan January and published by Millbrook Press. This book was released on 2020-10-06 with total page 91 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In January 2009, a mysterious software developer, Satoshi Nakamoto, exchanged a specially designed code with another developer. The code was a digital currency that Nakamoto had proposed several months before in a paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.” This was the first Bitcoin transaction. Since then, Bitcoin has become the face of a tech revolution in digital cryptocurrencies based on blockchain technology. Its success has sparked a tech revolution that could fundamentally change global economics. Author Brendan January delves into the world of coders, libertarians, criminals, financial regulators, and crypto-detectives to understand what digital cryptocurrencies have to offer, their limitations and potential pitfalls, security issues, and how they may affect government and financial regulations in the future.

Book Beyond Bitcoin

Download or read book Beyond Bitcoin written by Simon Dingle and published by Icon Books. This book was released on 2022-01-06 with total page 175 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: After over a decade of Bitcoin, which has now moved beyond lore and hype into an increasingly robust star in the firmament of global assets, a new and more important question has arisen. What happens beyond Bitcoin? The answer is decentralised finance - 'DeFi'. Tech and finance experts Steven Boykey Sidley and Simon Dingle argue that DeFi - which enables all manner of financial transactions to take place directly, person to person, without the involvement of financial institutions - will redesign the cogs and wheels in the engines of trust, and make the remarkable rise of Bitcoin look quaint by comparison. It will disrupt and displace fine and respectable companies, if not entire industries. Sidley and Dingle explain how DeFi works, introduce the organisations and individuals that comprise the new industry, and identify the likely winners and losers in the coming revolution.

Book A History of Bitcoin

    Book Details:
  • Author : Usman W. Chohan
  • Publisher :
  • Release : 2017
  • ISBN :
  • Pages : 11 pages

Download or read book A History of Bitcoin written by Usman W. Chohan and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The meteoric rise of Bitcoin has led to heightened investment, academic, commercial, numismatic, transactional, and practitioner interest in that cryptocurrency, as well as in the growing array of such instruments worldwide. This leads to an accentuated need for an examination of the historical evolution of Bitcoin as the seminal instrument in the development of cryptocurrencies, and this discussion paper seeks to address that gap.

Book History of Bitcoin

Download or read book History of Bitcoin written by IntroBooks and published by IntroBooks. This book was released on 2018-02-19 with total page 24 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The privacy of the users of the web today that is enormously being stolen at exceptional rates is infinitely enhanced through this new online encrypted ecosystem developed by bitcoins. There are no limitations built into the system by age, location, identification and so on. It is flat and open currency systems. Bitcoins level the international economic playing field. It is just similar to what the internet did in all these 2 decades for global information transfer. With bitcoins the innovative and amazing new options are only to growth on and on.

Book Barter to Bitcoin

Download or read book Barter to Bitcoin written by Ravin Aarya and published by . This book was released on 2017-08-04 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Have you ever wondered how our financial systems came about?Would you like to learn more about the history of money, from the time of bartering right up to the virtual ideas of the present day?'Barter to Bitcoin' is a fascinating new book which looks back at how finance developed, leaving behind ancient ideas, to become the central driving force behind emerging economies and the increase in wealth.Within the pages of this book you will discover:* How the US financial system works* Why we have money and * How capitalism increased wealth* How modern banking evolved* How financial markets developed* How Back-office and Bitcoin work* The life cycle of trade* The way regulations shape finance* And much more...'Barter to Bitcoin' is a perfect book for students as a supplement to their main studies, as a helpful resource of industry professionals or simply as a great read for anyone who is interested in financial systems around the world. It provides an insight into the history of finance like no other book presently in publication. There is something of interest for everyone inside and you'll be astonished to learn about the way we have transformed our financial dealings over the course of the centuries.Get a copy of 'Barter to Bitcoin' today! For an engaging and informative read like no other.

Book The Bitcoin Big Bang

Download or read book The Bitcoin Big Bang written by Brian Kelly and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2014-11-17 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Get a handle on the digital currency revolution, and learn how to get on board The Bitcoin Big Bang is a guide to navigating the uncharted territory of digital currency. Written by CNBC contributor Brian Kelly, this book goes beyond Bitcoin 101 to explain how this transformative technology is about to change the world. Digital currency is thrown into perspective against the history of payment systems and its own evolution, as readers are invited to explore the ways in which this technology is already changing the way business gets done. Readers gain insight into the mechanisms behind Bitcoin, and an expert perspective on digital currency's effect on the future of money and the economic implications of the Bitcoin revolution. In the same way that e-mail changed the way we transfer information, the decentralized Bitcoin network is about to revolutionize the business world, the legal profession, and even the role of the government. The Bitcoin Big Bang dives head first into this paradigm shift, allowing readers to: Explore the origins of digital currency Learn the history and evolution of payment systems Discover how the Bitcoin network is facilitating free and instant transfer of value Understand the mining of Bitcoin, and how to invest The digital currency revolution has implications that spread far beyond the finance industry. Anyone who exchanges payment for goods and services is on the cusp of the next big push in societal evolution, and only an understanding of the technology and a clear knowledge of the systems and behaviors at play can fully prepare us for the changes to come. The Bitcoin Big Bang is the go-to guide, helping those who use money use it better.

Book Bitcoin

    Book Details:
  • Author : Dominic Frisby
  • Publisher : Unbound Publishing
  • Release : 2014-11-01
  • ISBN : 1783520760
  • Pages : 266 pages

Download or read book Bitcoin written by Dominic Frisby and published by Unbound Publishing. This book was released on 2014-11-01 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Following the economic crisis of 2008, the website ‘bitcoin.org’ was registered by a mysterious computer programmer called Satoshi Nakamoto. A new form of money was born: electronic cash. Does Bitcoin have the potential to change how the world transacts financially? Or is it just a passing fad, even a major scam? In Bitcoin: The Future of Money?, MoneyWeek’s Dominic Frisby's explains this controversial new currency and how it came about, interviewing some of the key players in its development while casting light on its strange and murky origins, in particular the much-disputed identity of Nakamoto himself. Economic theory meets whodunnit mystery in this indispensable guide to one of the most divisive innovations of our time.

Book The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains

Download or read book The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains written by Antony Lewis and published by Mango Media Inc.. This book was released on 2018-08-15 with total page 271 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Understand Bitcoin, blockchains, and cryptocurrency with this clear and comprehensible guide Learn the history and basics of cryptocurrency and blockchains: There’s a lot of information on cryptocurrency and blockchains out there. But, for the uninitiated, most of this information can be indecipherable. The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains aims to provide an accessible guide to this new currency and the revolutionary technology that powers it. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies: Gain an understanding of a broad spectrum of Bitcoin topics. The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains covers topics such as the history of Bitcoin, the Bitcoin blockchain, and Bitcoin buying, selling, and mining. It also answers how payments are made and how transactions are kept secure. Other cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency pricing are examined, answering how one puts a value on cryptocurrencies and digital tokens. Blockchain technology: Blockchain technology underlies all cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency transactions. But what exactly is a blockchain, how does it work, and why is it important? The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains will answer these questions and more. Learn about notable blockchain platforms, smart contracts, and other important facets of blockchains and their function in the changing cyber-economy. Things to know before buying cryptocurrencies: The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains offers trustworthy and balanced insights to those interested in Bitcoin investing or investing in other cryptocurrency. Discover the risks and mitigations, learn how to identify scams, and understand cryptocurrency exchanges, digital wallets, and regulations with this book. Readers will learn about: • Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies • Blockchain technology and how it works • The workings of the cryptocurrency market • The evolution and potential impacts of Bitcoin and blockchains on global businesses Dive into the world of cryptocurrency with confidence with this comprehensive introduction.

Book Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies

Download or read book Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies written by Arvind Narayanan and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2016-07-19 with total page 334 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An authoritative introduction to the exciting new technologies of digital money Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies provides a comprehensive introduction to the revolutionary yet often misunderstood new technologies of digital currency. Whether you are a student, software developer, tech entrepreneur, or researcher in computer science, this authoritative and self-contained book tells you everything you need to know about the new global money for the Internet age. How do Bitcoin and its block chain actually work? How secure are your bitcoins? How anonymous are their users? Can cryptocurrencies be regulated? These are some of the many questions this book answers. It begins by tracing the history and development of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, and then gives the conceptual and practical foundations you need to engineer secure software that interacts with the Bitcoin network as well as to integrate ideas from Bitcoin into your own projects. Topics include decentralization, mining, the politics of Bitcoin, altcoins and the cryptocurrency ecosystem, the future of Bitcoin, and more. An essential introduction to the new technologies of digital currency Covers the history and mechanics of Bitcoin and the block chain, security, decentralization, anonymity, politics and regulation, altcoins, and much more Features an accompanying website that includes instructional videos for each chapter, homework problems, programming assignments, and lecture slides Also suitable for use with the authors' Coursera online course Electronic solutions manual (available only to professors)

Book Bitcoin

    Book Details:
  • Author : Simone A
  • Publisher : Independently Published
  • Release : 2023-07-04
  • ISBN :
  • Pages : 0 pages

Download or read book Bitcoin written by Simone A and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2023-07-04 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book titled "Bitcoin: The Evolution of a Revolution" explores the history, technology, and future of Bitcoin, the revolutionary cryptocurrency. In brief, the chapters cover the following topics: Introduction to Bitcoin: Origins, key concepts such as decentralization and mining. The Technology of Bitcoin: Structure of the blockchain, cryptography, and transaction security. Mining Bitcoin: Proof of Work, the role of miners, and energy sustainability. Early Adoption and Early Developments: First real transactions, Silk Road, incidents like Mt. Gox. The Rise of Bitcoin as a Global Currency: Geographical expansion, corporate acceptance, and financial implications. Challenges and Controversies of Bitcoin: Volatility, scalability, security, regulation, and mainstream adoption. The Evolution of Bitcoin and the Future of Cryptocurrencies: Technological upgrades, interaction with the traditional financial system, and institutional interest. Considerations and Future Challenges of Bitcoin: Scalability, security, regulation, and environmental impact. Social and Economic Implications of Bitcoin: Financial inclusion and the debate on energy sustainability. Conclusion: Bitcoin's position in the financial landscape, future prospects, and considerations for responsible usage.

Book The Bitcoin Standard

Download or read book The Bitcoin Standard written by Saifedean Ammous and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2018-03-23 with total page 311 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A comprehensive and authoritative exploration of Bitcoin and its place in monetary history When a pseudonymous programmer introduced "a new electronic cash system that’s fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party" to a small online mailing list in 2008, very few people paid attention. Ten years later, and against all odds, this upstart autonomous decentralized software offers an unstoppable and globally accessible hard money alternative to modern central banks. The Bitcoin Standard analyzes the historical context to the rise of Bitcoin, the economic properties that have allowed it to grow quickly, and its likely economic, political, and social implications. While Bitcoin is an invention of the digital age, the problem it purports to solve is as old as human society itself: transferring value across time and space. Author Saifedean Ammous takes the reader on an engaging journey through the history of technologies performing the functions of money, from primitive systems of trading limestones and seashells, to metals, coins, the gold standard, and modern government debt. Exploring what gave these technologies their monetary role, and how most lost it, provides the reader with a good idea of what makes for sound money, and sets the stage for an economic discussion of its consequences for individual and societal future-orientation, capital accumulation, trade, peace, culture, and art. Compellingly, Ammous shows that it is no coincidence that the loftiest achievements of humanity have come in societies enjoying the benefits of sound monetary regimes, nor is it coincidental that monetary collapse has usually accompanied civilizational collapse. With this background in place, the book moves on to explain the operation of Bitcoin in a functional and intuitive way. Bitcoin is a decentralized, distributed piece of software that converts electricity and processing power into indisputably accurate records, thus allowing its users to utilize the Internet to perform the traditional functions of money without having to rely on, or trust, any authorities or infrastructure in the physical world. Bitcoin is thus best understood as the first successfully implemented form of digital cash and digital hard money. With an automated and perfectly predictable monetary policy, and the ability to perform final settlement of large sums across the world in a matter of minutes, Bitcoin’s real competitive edge might just be as a store of value and network for the final settlement of large payments a digital form of gold with a built-in settlement infrastructure. Ammous’ firm grasp of the technological possibilities as well as the historical realities of monetary evolution provides for a fascinating exploration of the ramifications of voluntary free market money. As it challenges the most sacred of government monopolies, Bitcoin shifts the pendulum of sovereignty away from governments in favor of individuals, offering us the tantalizing possibility of a world where money is fully extricated from politics and unrestrained by borders. The final chapter of the book explores some of the most common questions surrounding Bitcoin: Is Bitcoin mining a waste of energy? Is Bitcoin for criminals? Who controls Bitcoin, and can they change it if they please? How can Bitcoin be killed? And what to make of all the thousands of Bitcoin knockoffs, and the many supposed applications of Bitcoin's 'block chain technology'? The Bitcoin Standard is the essential resource for a clear understanding of the rise of the Internet’s decentralized, apolitical, free-market alternative to national central banks.