Bitcoin News

Bitcoin (BTC) was created by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 as the world's first successful cryptocurrency, solving the double-spending problem that had plagued previous digital cash experiments. Operating on a decentralized proof-of-work blockchain, Bitcoin enables peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries, with its monetary policy enforced through cryptographic consensus rather than central authority.

The Bitcoin network is maintained by miners who secure transactions and earn newly minted bitcoin, while a global ecosystem of traders, institutional investors, developers, and businesses continues expanding its adoption. From El Salvador's legal tender status to corporate treasury adoption by companies like MicroStrategy and Tesla, Bitcoin has evolved from a cryptographic experiment into a recognized store of value and inflation hedge.

At CoinDesk, we deliver breaking Bitcoin news and in-depth analysis covering everything from price movements and institutional adoption to technological developments and regulatory shifts. Our team tracks Bitcoin ETF launches, mining industry changes, Lightning Network growth, and the ongoing debates shaping cryptocurrency's future.

DISCLOSURE: This text was written with the assistance of AI, then reviewed by a person.

Tech

Bitcoin's 'OP_CAT' Possibilities Teased in StarkWare Test Project

StarkWare used its new STARK verifier on the Signet network, a testing environment for Bitcoin, in a proof-on-concept project designed to demonstrate what the oldest blockchain might be capable of were the pending "OP_CAT" technical proposal to get adopted.

By Jamie CrawleyJul 17, 2024

StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson (Margaux Nijkerk)

Finance

'It's a Bitcoin Play': Mark Cuban Says Silicon Valley's Embrace of Trump Revolves Around Crypto

Cuban: "You can't align the stars any better for a BTC price acceleration."

By Nick BakerJul 17, 2024

Tech

Protocol Village: Arthur Hayes-Backed Maelstrom Pledges Grants for Open-Source Bitcoin Devs

The latest in blockchain tech upgrades, funding announcements and deals. For the period of July 11-17.

By Bradley KeounJul 17, 2024

Protocol Village is CoinDesk's living column chronicling blockchain tech project updates (CoinDesk)

Markets

First Mover Americas: Bitcoin Bulls Eye $70K After Return to $66K

The latest price moves in crypto markets in context for July 17, 2024.

By Jamie Crawley, Omkar GodboleJul 17, 2024

Markets

Deribit's New Bitcoin, Ether Options Tied to U.S. Elections Get Thumbs Up From Crypto Traders

Traders said these options will help define risk and protect capital from expected volatility in the lead-up to and following the binary event.

By Omkar GodboleJul 17, 2024

Monument, president. (TheDigitalArtist/Pixabay)

Markets

Ether Spot ETF Inflows Will Push ETH to Beyond $5K: Bitwise

It may not happen immediately and price action could be choppy to start due to outflows from the Grayscale Ethereum Trust, after it converts to an ETF, the report said.

By Will CannyJul 17, 2024