Many bitcoin enthusiasts have compared the cryptocurrency to digital gold

Bitcoin, the oldest and most popular cryptocurrency, is a digital cash alternative introduced in 2009 that rapidly grew in popularity and now boasts a global user base.

Cryptocurrency acts as a store of value

Traditional money, dating back to its first known uses in ancient Babylonia, has many uses—it reduces friction in transactions by providing a common denominator of value (unit of account), acts as a single item accepted by many vendors (medium of exchange), and holds wealth as a store of value.

A ‘gold bug’ is a person who is bullish on gold as an investment

"Gold bugs" often argue that fiat money allows governments to engage in financially reckless behavior (think: chronic borrowing). They also say the price of gold rises as the value of fiat currency falls.

Since its introduction, the price of bitcoin has experienced significant volatility

Driven in large part by speculation and intense social media attention during the pandemic, along with the availability of capital during near-zero interest rate periods, the price has seen at least three major crashes despite steadily increasing over the long run since 2014.

Bitcoin explained and made simple

Bitcoin, the most popular and well-known example of a cryptocurrency, came on the scene around 2010, with its evangelists proclaiming it would eventually displace government-backed traditional cash. While the concept of a digital currency may seem straightforward, the details can be deceptively simple. This quick video overview provides the foundation for a deeper dive into the world of decentralized currency.

Check the real-time price of bitcoin

Bitcoin has gone through several boom and bust cycles. Those peaks and valleys sit on top of a steadily rising value, growing as the currency gains wider adoption. As of 2024, bitcoin’s total market value was over $1.3T, with more than 19.6 million coins in circulation. Still, the value fluctuates.

A gold standard is a system in which a country’s currency is pegged to, and can be converted into, a fixed amount of gold

In principle, this provides price stability as the amount of gold (and therefore the value of the currency) is limited, but also restricts the ability to modulate the money supply during economic downturns.

Bitcoin and ethereum are decentralized cryptocurrencies with different functions

Bitcoin, launched in 2009, is primarily a digital currency and store of value with a fixed supply. Ethereum, introduced in 2015, enables smart contracts and decentralized apps, offering more flexibility.

Cryptocurrencies are forms of digital currency

Cryptocurrency's key feature is decentralization. Unlike traditional money, they generally aren't controlled by a single authority. As of early 2025, cryptocurrencies had a cumulative market cap of almost $3.4T, making them worth more than some of the world's most valuable companies, like Google and Amazon (both valued at roughly $2.3T).

Stablecoins could give people in high-inflation economies access to stronger currencies

Specifically, stablecoins could provide a way to make sure these funds remain valuable during times of volatility. Some examples of people without access to the US dollar using stablecoins as a store of value have been observed in Venezuela.

Who accepts bitcoin payments in 2025?

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are used primarily as stores of value or speculative assets, and less likely to be used to purchase goods and services. Advocates for the currency say as an increasing number of retailers accept bitcoin, average holders will begin to treat the currency more like traditional money.

A gold standard is a system where every dollar in circulation can be exchanged for a set amount of gold

For centuries, the things people used as money had intrinsic value, such as precious metals like gold. In medieval Italy, giant wheels of parmesan cheese were once used as a store of value.

The similarities and differences between bitcoin and ethereum

Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap behind Bitcoin. Usually, that comparison just scratches the surface of the overall market cap. Instead, a visual pits the tokens up against each other on a per-token basis and shows how and why the Ethereum/bitcoin ratio has fluctuated over time.

Bitcoin started as a .PDF

Have you ever wondered how bitcoin became, well, bitcoin? In this podcast episode, journalist PJ Vogt dives into what drove the bitcoin hype machine, explaining how it became the phenomenon it is today.

Gold's electrical conductivity, reflectivity, and catalytic capabilities make it scientifically valuable

Although gold has been prized since its use in 40,000 BCE for decorative purposes, it has more recently served as a replacement for mercury in the production of PVC plastic. Because gold does not react with air or corrode, it has remained in circulation and reused in electronics and biomaterials.

The 10 most important (other) cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin has not only been a trendsetter, ushering in a wave of cryptocurrencies built on a decentralized peer-to-peer network, but has also become the de facto standard for cryptocurrencies. But it's not the only one. Here are some cryptocurrencies that have held on throughout steep price climbs and nosedives.

A visual guide to how bitcoin transactions work and rely on cryptography

The "crypto-" in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin refers to the mathematical functions that generate pairs of public and private keys and encrypt data in blocks. When combined, these systems secure transactions on the network, verify digital asset and token transfers, and contribute to end-user anonymity.

The benefits of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology

At the root of cryptocurrencies' allure is blockchain technology, an innovation bringing profound transformations to industries, especially the financial industry. This simple article breaks down the difference between cryptocurrencies and blockchain as well as the benefits of each.

Some argue that stablecoins are unnecessary due to the ubiquity of the US dollar

Others have criticized fiat-backed stablecoins for their lack of decentralization, believing that digital currencies not controlled by central banks will become more popular in the future.

A startup is trying to create the diamond equivalent of the gold standard

It's called the Diamond Standard Co, and it uses an algorithm to assign standard values to a variety off small diamonds, grouping them together into individual coins. Historically, diamonds haven't been able to be classified as commodities or standardized like gold because they aren't uniform—factors such as clarity, cut, color, and carat size significantly influence the value of a diamond.

Arguments for returning to a gold standard reappear from time to time

However, critics argue that globalization has made the gold standard impractical for modern economies, as it limits a nation’s ability to have a flexible monetary policy—hence, none of today's governments have a gold standard.

Fiat money is a currency with no intrinsic, tangible value

Unlike the gold standard, where a nation's currency is linked to the value of gold, fiat money gets its power from the public's trust in its value.

Costco's bullion program offers an attractive option for retail investors, experts say

Although Costco's gold bars often sell out, experts caution that the Costco gold rush was more "mob mentality" than sound investment. The bullion program is one way for retail investors to get exposure to the commodities market.

Gold has no nutritional value or flavor—but edible gold is still popular

Gold is a pretty expensive topping. Nonetheless, luxury menus around the world are offering food staples—think bagels, chocolate, and burgers—wrapped or dusted with gold. What's the deal with this fascination?

About 17% of US adults said they had invested, traded, or used cryptocurrency in 2023.

Only 21 million bitcoin will ever be created—what happens then?

Bitcoin is a popular cryptocurrency with a finite supply, and the issuance of new bitcoins is currently offered as a reward for verifying the transactions on the blockchain. Experts say the currency won't reach its limit until the year 2140, and miners may ultimately rely on transaction fees.

Using cryptocurrency to turn traditional financial arrangements on their head

Cryptocurrency is poised to drastically change everything in the financial world, including financial arrangements. Decentralized finance makes it easier for virtually anyone to take advantage of financial markets without the need for a bank. However, there are new risks involved as well. Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics Kevin Werbach, an expert on Bitcoin and blockchains discusses it all in detail in The Conversation.

Crypto ETFs are driving cryptocurrency adoption

In 2024, the SEC approved ETFs that track the price of bitcoin called spot bitcoin ETFs. These funds have since significantly increased investment inflows into cryptocurrency markets.

A definitive guide to crypto and blockchain

The concept of cryptocurrency emerged more than a decade ago, with a famous whitepaper on bitcoin. To fully understand the rise of bitcoin, Bloomberg’s Matt Levine developed this comprehensive four-part series exploring the broader crypto and blockchain ecosystems, where they came from and how they work (subscription required).

Watch an expert explain blockchain technology to five different people: a child, a teen, a college student, a grad student, and a fellow expert.

The role stories play in mass economic trends like bitcoin, crashes

Economics is dominated by numbers, but stories play a huge role in the emotional shifts seen within macroeconomic trends. For example, bitcoin is not just a cost-benefit winner, but a compelling tale of decentralization and independence. This is a 20-minute summary of Nobel prize-winning economist Robert Shiller's "Narrative Economics."

Bullion is either gold or silver that has at least 99.5% or 99.9% purity, respectively

It’s typically kept in the form of bars or ingots. Governments and central banks often keep bullion reserves on hand; they can use it as a hedge against inflation. One can invest in bullion via ETFs, among other financial vehicles.

The global economy runs on US dollars, with nearly 90% of international trade in 2019 being processed in US dollars.

See how the concept of verification and addition to the blockchain works in real time.

Every transaction made via bitcoin is recorded on its blockchain—the decentralized, distributed ledger that provides a permanent and transparent record of the currency's entire history. While that may sound abstract, the technology allows anyone to monitor and confirm each of the transactions.

Two Papa John's pizzas were the first real-world transaction involving cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin mining validates/adds bitcoin transactions onto the blockchain

Mining, done by a decentralized network of actors, is incredibly energy intensive, making the award of bitcoins a major incentive.

The SEC recently approved bitcoin ETFs in landmark investing decision

In January 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission made history when it decided to allow fund issuers to launch bitcoin ETFs. This new class of exchange-traded fund tracks spot bitcoin prices, essentially allowing investors to hold bitcoin without actually having to buy the crypto.

Collaterized by crypto, BitUSD is considered the first stablecoin

It was created in 2014 with the intention of making cryptocurrency less volatile. While BitUSD lost its peg to the US dollar in 2018 and never recovered, Tether was created soon after it in 2014 and has had more longevity and success.

How much money you'd have now if you bought bitcoin years ago

Do you ever wonder how much money you'd have now if you bought bitcoin in 2019? 2018? 2017? This calculator provides the answer. Plug in the amount of bitcoin you would have purchased, plus the year and the currency.

Princeton University offers a free online bitcoin course

Want to understand bitcoin and cryptocurrencies? A free online course from Princeton University unpacks the details of bitcoin, from how it works to what distinguishes it from other currencies, to the security and anonymity associated with its use. Explore explainer videos, or take the course as a series of lessons.

The industries ripe for disruption by blockchain and cryptocurrencies

Blockchain—what is it good for? Lots of things, it would seem. Peruse this guide from The Motley Fool site and learn about different applications and use cases for blockchain technology. Financial exchanges, real estate, insurance, voting, an gambling are just a few of the 15 applications discussed here.

Stablecoins now transfer more value than Visa or Mastercard.

Because stablecoins operate on public blockchains, transfers can occur nearly instantly without intermediaries, unlike traditional credit card networks. This has fueled stablecoins' adoption within the crypto world and in cross-border payments. Stablecoin transfer volume rose from about $3B in 2018 to roughly $18T in 2024, overtaking Visa's roughly $16T and Mastercard's $10T.

Fort Knox was originally built to be a secure facility for the US Treasury's gold reserves back when the US still operated under the gold standard, a system in which a country's currency is pegged to, and can be converted into, a fixed amount of gold.

Alternative investments can include everything from cryptocurrency to fine art

The financial assets typically fall outside the scope of traditional investments like stocks and bonds, and they’re often intended to diversify investor portfolios.

Stablecoins' market cap surged during 2021's crypto bull market

In 2020, the value of all stablecoins was equivalent to just 1% of all physical US dollars. Roughly five years later in August 2025, that value had jumped to roughly 11% of all US cash in circulation.

Some venture capitalists believe cryptocurrency will revolutionize global finance

Some of the brightest minds at Andreesen-Horowitz, one of the country’s leading venture capital firms, believe the cryptocurrency ecosystem will revolutionize global finance in the coming decades. This podcast recounts, through their view, the history of crypto, how it works, and trends they see emerging in the future.

Learn how fine jewelry investing works with this beginner's guide.

A look at nodes and miners in managing bitcoin transactions

Each time a transaction involving bitcoin is carried out, the information must be relayed and recorded onto the currency’s blockchain. Multiple steps are involved, including the passage of the transaction to various nodes and miners who comprise multiple layers of verification and validation. See an illustrated guide to how these two crucial features of bitcoin processing work here.

Why cryptocurrency matters from Andreesen Horowitz general partner

In this hourlong video, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) General Partner Chris Dixon discusses "Crypto Networks and Why They Matter," giving an overview of the cryptocurrency space, the transformative implications of its technology, and the potential for cryptocurrency networks to lead a new wave of innovation.

Bitcoin's founder has always remained anonymous

A pseudonym used by the person or group of people who created bitcoin—the first decentralized cryptocurrency—the real identity of Satoshi Nakamoto has baffled millions of enthusiasts for years.