Blockchain

The block chain is a public ledger that records bitcoin transactions. A novel solution accomplishes this without any trusted central authority: a network of communicating nodes running bitcoin software performs maintenance of the block chain. The blockchain is seen as the main technological innovation of Bitcoin, since it stands as proof of all the transactions on the network. A block is the ‘current’ part of a blockchain, which records some or all of the recent transactions, and once completed goes into the blockchain as permanent database. Each time a block gets completed, a new block is generated. There is a countless number of such blocks in the blockchain. So are the blocks randomly placed in a blockchain? No, they are linked to each other (like a chain) in proper linear, chronological order with every block containing a hash of the previous block.

Based on the Bitcoin protocol, the blockchain database is shared by all nodes participating in a system. The full copy of the blockchain has records of every Bitcoin transaction ever executed. It can thus provide insight about facts like how much value belonged a particular address at any point in the past.

How bitcoin works

Bitcoin transactions are sent from and to electronic bitcoin wallets, and are digitally signed for security. Everyone on the network knows about a transaction, and the history of a transaction can be traced back to the point where the bitcoins were produced.

To send bitcoins, you need two things: a bitcoin address and a private key. A bitcoin address is generated randomly, and is simply a sequence of letters and numbers. The private key is another sequence of letters and numbers, but unlike your bitcoin address, this is kept secret.

Think of your bitcoin address as a safe deposit box with a glass front. Everyone knows what is in it, but only the private key can unlock it to take things out or put things in.

When Marie wants to send bitcoins to Peter, she uses her private key to sign a message with the input (the source transaction(s) of the coins), amount, and output (Peter’s address).

She then sends them from her bitcoin wallet out to the wider bitcoin network. From there, bitcoin miners verify the transaction, putting it into a transaction block and eventually solving it.

What is mining

With Bitcoin, miners use special software to solve math problems and the system issue a certain number of bitcoins in exchange. This provides a smart way to issue the currency and also creates an incentive for more people to mine.

Bitcoin miners help keep the Bitcoin network secure by approving transaction. Mining is an important and integral part of Bitcoin that ensures fairness while keeping the Bitcoin network stable, safe and secure.

Also mining is the process of adding transaction records to Bitcoins public ledger of past transactions or blockchain. This ledger of past transactions is called the block chain, as it is a chain of blocks. The block chain serves to confirm transactions to the rest of the network as having taken place.

What is trading

Trading bitcoins is simple. Just buy lower price and sell for high price. There are multiple exchanges where big companies and individuals can trade multiple times per hour and every single day.