Bitcoin: 4 things to know about virtual currency
What are bitcoins and how can they be used? Here are some of the things you may not know about the 5-point virtual currency.

1) A completely virtual reality
Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency of the moment, which uses cryptography to guarantee its security and validity. Bitcoins can be used as a real currency and can be exchanged for any other physical currency, such as the dollar or the euro. In addition to being the most popular, bitcoins rank first in the world ranking of virtual currencies in terms of market value.

2) The mystery of its creator
The invention of the cryptocurrency took place in 2009 by an anonymous programmer known under the pseudonym of Satoshi Nakamoto, whose true identity is still unknown. Many even speculate that it is not a single individual, but rather a group of programmers. First introduced in October 2008, the bitcoin payment system made its official debut as open-source software the following year.


3) Bitcoin is a free currency
Bitcoins are very different from physical and traditional currencies. In fact, unlike "real" money, cryptocurrency is not managed by any central body and is therefore independent of any authority, governmental or otherwise. This means that, unlike legal tender currencies, no one can control their value, write-down or block transfers.

Bitcoins are part of a decentralized system created through the nodes of a P2P (peer to peer) network, through the use of an algorithm for the generation of bitcoins. In this way, if malicious users attempt to generate unauthentic bitcoins, the fake coins would be immediately identified and rejected by the network. The Bitcoin network allows you to transfer your currency via the internet completely anonymously, to anyone with a bitcoin address. Each user can easily manage his virtual "wallet" by saving his account data on one or more personal computers.

4) Yes, you can buy things with bitcoin!
Bitcoins can be used to buy real goods, such as books, video games or gifts of all kinds. In fact, there are an increasing number of retailers who accept digital currency as a payment method. In the United States, for example, hotels, courses or medical services can also be paid for with bitcoins. Virtual money can even be donated to charity.