Key facts: Bitcoin is both a currency and a means of payment. Using Bitcoin is easier and safer than traditional payment methods.

Bitcoin, yes, with a capital B, works both as a payment system and as a currency. This technology, full of novel concepts and complicated to understand, promises to completely change the world financial system. In any case, many wonder: how is Bitcoin used? How is Bitcoin purchased?

Contrary to popular belief, using bitcoins - with lowercase bs to define the accounting unit - does not require technical knowledge. You don't have to be a computer whiz to make or receive a payment using this crypto-based currency; on the contrary, this method can be easier to use and provide greater security than other forms of exchange that we could be used to.

☆Get informed☆

Resistance to change is something innate in the human being. Changing the way we understand and use money can be difficult, but being informed is the first step we must take.

• What is Bitcoin.

• Bitcoin white paper.

• What is a blockchain.

•Common scams with Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.

☆Choose a portfolio☆

choose a portfolio The wallet, purse, wallet whatever you call it, is analogous to your bank account. This is where you can manage your funds.

However, even if purses are used to control your money, this is not where it is stored. The currencies of each user of the Bitcoin network are stored or, rather, registered in a public and common accounting better known as «blockchain». The wallets only fulfill the function of managing the public and private keys that allow you to mobilize the funds, either receive or send them.

Now, when choosing a wallet we can find an immensity of options, where each one adapts to different user demands. However, we can divide them into three main categories.

•Cold wallets (hardware) - These wallets store the private key on a separate device, and sign off-line transactions with it. This makes it one of the safest wallets.

Some examples are:

•Trezor

•Ledger

•Hot wallets (software): these are applications that we can install directly on our mobile device or computer. The private key this time is stored and encrypted within the device itself.

Some examples are:

•Coinomi

•Bitpay

•Green

•Electrum

•Web wallets: as their name specifies, they are web services that allow users to manage their funds. In these sites the private key is managed directly in the web portal.

Some examples are:

•Blockchain

•Bitgo

☆Wallet Security and Configuration☆

Using a Bitcoin wallet places the responsibility of its safeguard on us, the users. Whether it is in the security that we provide to the device where our portfolio is located, or over security backups, such as recovery seeds, it all depends on us. Because of this, we leave you with some safety tips:

• If your portfolio uses recovery seed, understand that whoever has access to it will have access to the funds. So all the responsibility to protect it properly falls on you, preferably writing it down on paper and preserving it in a safe place, free of moisture and where only you have access. This step is vital for safekeeping of funds.
• Some applications allow you to activate an extra layer of security, with a password or a fingerprint scan. Remember that this method is not linked at all with the recovery seed, since its function is to protect the funds in case someone has access to the device where we have installed the wallet.
• There are wallets that allow two-factor authentication (2FA). This can provide an extra layer of security, but compromises privacy by linking personal data such as your phone number or email to the wallet. It has even been known of cases of hacks in which adding the 2FA with the phone has allowed thefts. So, it is entirely up to you if you want to activate these security methods.

☆Learn to receive bitcoins☆

Receiving bitcoins is an extremely simple task, all you need to do is share a public address that will generate your portfolio. Just look for the Receive button and you will find something like what is shown in the image below:

The character string corresponds to our public address. The QR code corresponds to its abstraction in this format, so that it can be scanned using the camera of some device.

Bitcoin addresses can be found in 3 formats.

• The legacy addresses (the first in the protocol), which are those that start with «1», like the one we see in the previous image.

• Compatibility and multi-signature addresses, beginning with "3" and maintaining the same format as the legacy ones:

• The native Segwit addresses (a protocol update), starting with "bc1":

Whatever address your wallet uses, they all serve the same purpose: to receive transactions.

It is important to note that the addresses are unique, and only you, through your wallet, can generate them. Unless you know what you are doing, you should not share addresses to receive bitcoins that do not belong to you or have not been generated directly by you.

☆Buy bitcoins☆

Maybe a few years ago knowing where to buy bitcoins was quite a difficult task, but now, with a simple Google search we will have a whole catalog of options.

Now, perhaps at the time of buying you say to yourself "I do not have to buy 1 BTC" but rest assured, it is not necessary to buy a complete unit. A bitcoin can be divided up to 100 million times, with 0.00000001 being the least amount of BTC you can have. So buying a few dollars or pesos will not be a problem for you.

Among some of the options to buy we have:

Personal exchanges: This is the native exchange rate of Bitcoin, in which one person sells or buys bitcoins to another or exchanges them for some good. These exchanges can be done through a trusted friend or by groups on social networks such as Telegram or Facebook.

An example of these groups is that of Bitcoin Argentina on Facebook, where to trade you only need to ask for references from your counterparty (people who have bought from him and give public evidence of his trust) and afterwards proceed to buy, as you would normally do at market any good or currency. These groups are usually located in different countries of the world and trade directly in the local currency.

• Exchange houses: in them you can buy and sell bitcoins directly to a company. Some examples are:
• Coinbase
• Blockchain.com

• SimplexCasas de Bolsa: in them you can do advanced trading operations against other users of the platform.

Some examples are:
• CryptoMTK
• Bitso
• Binance

• P2P exchange platforms (personal exchanges with intermediaries): in them you can make exchanges directly with another person, under the protection of the company that operates the site; similar to Mercado Libre.

Some examples are:
• Localbitcoins
• Paxful
• LocalCryptos
• Bisq

• ATMs: in them you can exchange bitcoins for local currency, and vice versa.

•CoinATMRadar helps you locate the closest BTC ATM to you.

☆Use Bitcoin☆

We already have the bitcoins in our portfolio, ready and safe. Now how do we use them?

The first thing we need is to learn how to send bitcoins from our wallet. To do this, we will look for the Send option in our wallet and once in the shipping section we will paste or scan the recipient's public address, whether it is that of a friend with whom we practice or a business that we decide to buy something from.

Now we will have to put the following information, which is basically the same that we require to enter in any wallet.

Amount: total to send. This amount can be expressed both in BTC and in the configured national currency. Commission: in many portfolios it is possible to choose the mining commission to pay, which will influence the waiting time for our funds to be available.

Now we just have to press on "Send" and that's it.

It is worth noting that there are wallets that will ask you to verify that it is you who is carrying out this transaction, either through the PIN or security password, or with your fingerprint.