Bitcoin for Beginners: An Introductory Guide

Bitcoin is arguably the best-known cryptocurrency out there,with its use and popularity steadily increasing since its release. Bitcoin has become synonymous with cryptocurrency in a way that other forms simply have not. Thanks to this, it is often seen as far more accessible than the other cryptocurrencies available. A lot of people have an interest in cryptocurrency, and by extension, bitcoin, but they don’t know where to start. This is why we have put together this introductory guide to ease you in, so let’s explore. 

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin, as you probably already know, is a type of cryptocurrency or digital currency. As it stands, it is almost impossible to replicate or counterfeit in any way, which does make it pretty safe. They can be sent or received by anyone in the world instantaneously; more importantly, the transactions are final. You cannot recall the money or reverse the transaction, which is why users need to ensure that they are triple checking the transactions before authorising them. 

There are always records of transactions, too, which are stored digitally as part of the blockchain. Transactions can not be anonymised. Anyone can look up the transaction at any time;although the details of the sender and sendee may be falsified,there will always be a record of the transaction itself. The value of the individual bitcoins is not static. It continues to ebb and flow, as is the case with most assets. Bitcoins have been increasing in use as of late. For example, there are several OnlineCasinos that accept bitcoin as a cryptocurrency which does provide users with more outlets.

Investing in Bitcoin

There are several options to consider when it comes to investing in bitcoin. You can purchase it from a number of different sites or platforms. It is important that you do your research before you make a purchase as not all of the sites are reputable; when it comes to investing to any extent, being cautious in your approach is advisable in order to safeguard your money and the investment too. 

You need to ensure that the platform is appropriately licenced or regulated and that they are reliable too. It is worth looking up reviews and shopping around to compare exchange rates before you commit to a purchase. You also need to ensure that you know enough about bitcoin and the process too. You will need to secure a digital wallet, too, before you purchase your bitcoin in order to have a safe place to keep it. 

Investment Advice

When you have investments, it is natural to want to protect said investments. This is why a lot of people choose to take out an insurance policy on their investment. However, when it comes to investing in cryptocurrencies, there are few, if any, insurance options to consider. Depending on where you are based, there may be a couple of options, but these policies are often from unverified companies, which does mean that they may not be the most reliable. 

Secondly, again, depending on where you live, there may be tax obligations to think about when investing or selling your bitcoin, which is something that you will need to confirm for yourself. It is also imperative that you do your own research to independently verify the claims made by businesses. Your scepticism is often your best tool when it comes to protecting your interests. 

Bitcoin is also decentralised. In layman’s terms, this means that bitcoin and any subsequent transactions are not as protected as fiat currencies. There is no regulatory body dedicated to protecting the currency. It is solely down to the user. This is why your secure digital wallet is important, as is triple checking the transactions before you make them. Most digital wallets require some form of password protection or encryption which can help to safeguard them. 

When investing in bitcoin, you also need to be aware of the market uncertainty. As mentioned above, the value of the coin fluctuates with the demand, and this is totally normal. However, there isn’t an endless supply of bitcoins; there is a finite amount. There has been much speculation about what will happen when all the bitcoins in the world are mined, but truthfully, no one can say for sure. In all likelihood, the market is likely to get volatile, but this could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on whether the price skyrockets or plummets. Essentially, if you plan to invest in bitcoin, you need to keep an eye on the market in order to spot trends and work out when the best opportunity will be to sell. 

Lastly, it is important to keep in mind that cryptocurrencies are still a fairly new concept, and in that respect, they continue to evolve and adapt. Obviously, cryptocurrency isn’t brand new; in fact, it was first posed as an idea in the 80s, but in practice and technologically speaking, they are in their infancy still. This means that in the coming years, cryptocurrency, as a whole, is likely to continue to change. It is predicted that cryptocurrencies will increase in popularity as their use becomes more widespread. They could become one of the default methods of payment. After all, they are quicker to use, and there are no transaction fees related to their use which benefits both consumers and businesses. 

In Summary

Cryptocurrency as an asset can be a shrewd investment choice. It can yield high returns with the right investment strategy. When it comes to investing overall, regardless of what you choose to invest in, it comes down to preparation and research. You need to be willing to be meticulous and diligent in your approach. Obviously, there are going to be a multitude of personal factors that you will need to consider,like your budget. If you are a novice investor, then investing in cryptocurrency might not be advisable; it might make sense for you to start with something that is a little less fraught with risk. Finally, when it comes to investing, you should never ever tie up more money than you can afford to lose because investments don’t always go your way.