What Is Bitcoin? How Can普通人 Use It to Make Money?

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Bitcoin has captured the imagination of investors, technologists, and everyday people around the world. If you had invested $100 in Bitcoin in October 2010—when each coin was worth just 10 cents—you would have owned 1,000 BTC. Fast forward to November 2021, when Bitcoin peaked at $68,000, and your portfolio would have been worth $68 million.

That staggering return is just one reason why so many are asking: What is Bitcoin? And more importantly—how can ordinary people use it to generate wealth?

👉 Discover how Bitcoin can transform your financial future with simple, actionable steps.

The Origins of Bitcoin

Bitcoin emerged in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, a period marked by collapsing banks, failing mortgage systems, and widespread distrust in centralized financial institutions. As public confidence in governments and central banks plummeted, an anonymous figure known as Satoshi Nakamoto introduced a radical solution.

On October 31, 2008, Nakamoto published a groundbreaking whitepaper titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System. The core idea? A decentralized digital currency that operates without intermediaries like banks or governments.

The first Bitcoin block—known as the genesis block—was mined on January 3, 2009. Embedded in it was a message referencing a newspaper headline about the UK’s financial bailout: "The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks." This wasn’t just a timestamp—it was a statement of purpose.

To this day, Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity remains unknown. Was it one person? A group? A woman? We may never know.

How Does Bitcoin Work?

Understanding Decentralization

Traditional money relies on central authorities—banks, governments, payment processors—to validate and record transactions. When you send money via a digital wallet, the transaction goes through a centralized system for verification.

Bitcoin flips this model. It uses blockchain technology, a type of distributed ledger, to enable peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries.

Imagine everyone in the world holds a copy of the same digital ledger. When you send 5 BTC to someone, the network broadcasts that transaction globally. Every participant updates their ledger simultaneously, ensuring transparency and security.

Because no single entity controls the network, altering records is nearly impossible. A hacker would need to change the majority of copies at once—an impractical feat.

What Is Blockchain?

Blockchain is a chain of data blocks, each containing verified transactions. Once added, blocks cannot be altered. This immutability ensures trust and traceability.

You can explore real-time Bitcoin transactions on platforms like Blockchain.com Explorer—a transparent window into the network’s activity.

How Is Bitcoin Created? The Role of Mining

Without a central bank to issue currency, how does new Bitcoin enter circulation? Through mining.

Miners use powerful computers to solve complex mathematical puzzles—a process known as Proof of Work (PoW). Every 10 minutes, the first miner to solve the puzzle adds a new block to the blockchain and receives a block reward in Bitcoin.

These miners act as auditors, verifying transactions and securing the network. In return, they earn newly minted BTC.

Mining Rewards and Halving

Bitcoin’s supply is capped at 21 million coins, mimicking the scarcity of gold—earning it the nickname "digital gold."

To maintain scarcity, Bitcoin uses a mechanism called halving. Approximately every four years (or every 210,000 blocks), the mining reward is cut in half:

As of 2025, over 19.8 million BTC have already been mined—about 94% of the total supply.

👉 Learn how halving events could impact Bitcoin’s price and investment potential.

Is Mining Still Profitable?

Mining requires significant investment: expensive hardware (ASIC miners), cheap electricity, and cooling systems due to high energy consumption.

While rising competition and halving have reduced profit margins, surging Bitcoin prices have reignited interest in mining operations worldwide.

How to Buy Bitcoin

You don’t need to mine to own Bitcoin. Most people buy it directly through crypto exchanges like OKX, Binance, or Coinbase.

Steps to get started:

  1. Choose a reputable exchange.
  2. Complete identity verification (KYC).
  3. Deposit funds via bank transfer or card.
  4. Purchase Bitcoin instantly.

Beginners often start with small amounts to learn the ropes before scaling up.

Bitcoin Units: BTC, mBTC, SATs

Bitcoin is divisible. Common units include:

At $90,000 per BTC:

This divisibility makes micro-investing accessible to everyone.

Bitcoin Cash: A Fork in the Road

In 2017, a debate over scalability led to a hard fork, creating Bitcoin Cash (BCH). The main difference? Larger block sizes (up to 32 MB vs. Bitcoin’s 1–4 MB), enabling faster and cheaper transactions.

While BCH offers practical improvements, it remains controversial within the crypto community. Many view it as a competing project rather than a true upgrade to Bitcoin.

Taproot Upgrade: Smarter, More Private Transactions

In November 2021, Bitcoin underwent its most significant upgrade in years: Taproot.

This soft fork introduced:

Taproot positions Bitcoin not just as digital money, but as a platform for innovation.

Why Does Bitcoin Have Value?

Bitcoin’s value stems from several key factors:

El Salvador made history in 2021 by adopting Bitcoin as legal tender—a move signaling growing global acceptance.

Fascinating Bitcoin Stories

The Bitcoin Family

In 2017, Dutch entrepreneur DiDi Taihuttu sold his business, home, and cars to invest in Bitcoin when it was priced around $1,000. He and his family now live nomadically across more than 40 countries—earning the title "The Bitcoin Family." Their current holdings remain private.

Bitcoin Pizza Day

On May 22, 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 BTC for two pizzas—the first real-world Bitcoin transaction. At today’s prices (~$57,000/BTC), those pizzas cost nearly **$570 million. Now celebrated annually as Bitcoin Pizza Day**.

The Baby Born with Bitcoin

João Canhada, founder of FoxBit exchange, gifted his newborn daughter 1 BTC in 2017 when it was worth ~$915. With price appreciation exceeding 9,999%, her early start could mean generational wealth.

Bitcoin ATMs

The first Bitcoin ATM launched in Vancouver in 2013. Today, there are over 31,785 globally—allowing users to buy or sell BTC with cash or card.

Bitcoin ETFs

In October 2021, ProShares launched BITO, the first U.S.-listed Bitcoin futures ETF—bringing crypto exposure to traditional investors through stock markets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who controls Bitcoin?

No one individual or organization controls Bitcoin. It is maintained by a decentralized network of miners and nodes worldwide. Every participant can verify transactions independently.

Is Bitcoin legal?

Bitcoin’s legal status varies by country. Many nations—including the U.S., Japan, Germany, and Singapore—recognize it as a legitimate asset. El Salvador has adopted it as legal tender. Always check local regulations before investing.

Is Bitcoin a scam?

Bitcoin itself is not a scam—it’s an open-source technology with transparent code and transaction history. However, scams involving Bitcoin are common: fake exchanges, Ponzi schemes, phishing attacks. Always use trusted platforms.

Can I make money with Bitcoin?

Yes—but not risk-free. You can profit through:

How is Bitcoin different from other cryptocurrencies?

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and remains the most valuable and widely adopted. While others like Ethereum offer advanced features (e.g., smart contracts), Bitcoin focuses on being secure, scarce, and decentralized—making it a preferred store of value.

What happens when all Bitcoins are mined?

By around 2140, all 21 million Bitcoins will be mined. After that, miners will earn income solely from transaction fees rather than block rewards—a model designed to sustain network security long-term.

👉 Start your journey into the world of digital assets with confidence and clarity.

Final Thoughts

Bitcoin is more than just a digital currency—it’s a financial revolution built on trustless systems, transparency, and empowerment.

It sparked the blockchain movement that gave rise to DeFi, NFTs, Web3, and beyond. Whether you're drawn by its potential for wealth creation or its vision for a decentralized future, one thing is clear: Bitcoin is here to stay.

Now is the time to understand it—not just as an investment, but as a foundational piece of tomorrow’s digital economy.

Core Keywords: Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, blockchain, digital gold, mining, decentralization, halving, smart contracts