Assets, Bitcoin

How Do I Get a Bitcoin Account?

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency, without a central bank or single administrator, that can be sent from user to user on the peer-to-peer bitcoin network without the need for intermediaries. Transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded in a public distributed ledger called a blockchain.

Bitcoin is unique in that there are a finite number of them: 21 million.

Bitcoins are created as a reward for a process known as mining. They can be exchanged for other currencies, products, and services.

NOTE: WARNING: Before considering getting a Bitcoin account, please be aware that Bitcoin is a high-risk investment and there are significant risks associated with it. You should only invest what you can afford to lose and should always research the company or platform offering the service. Be sure to read the terms and conditions and understand the fees, charges and any other associated costs before signing up for an account. If you are unsure about any part of the process, please contact a financial advisor for further guidance.

As of February 2015, over 100,000 merchants and vendors accepted bitcoin as payment.

To own bitcoins, you need a digital wallet. Bitcoin wallets store the private keys that you need to access a bitcoin address and spend your funds. They come in different forms, designed for different types of devices.

You can get a wallet for free by installing software on your computer or mobile phone, or you can get one from an online service provider such as Coinbase or Blockchain.info.

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