Get All Access for $5/mo

Bitcoin Basics: What it Is and How it Works (Motiongraphic) Virtual currency Bitcoin has been making headlines recently. Don't worry if you still don't know what it's all about. This motiongraphic breaks it down.

By Kathleen Davis

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Before you can make up your mind on investment opportunities or the potential to accept bitcoins for online payments, you need to understand just what this new currency is and how it works. While it may seem like this digital-only currency sprung out of nowhere a few months ago, Bitcoin was originally developed in 2008.

In a nutshell, Bitcoin is a decentralized, anonymous, digital-only currency. When first introduced, you could buy over 1,000 bitcoins for $1. The value has skyrocketed since then, and one Bitcoin is now worth just over $100 (click here for a Bitcoin currency convertor).
Related: A Look at 'Bitcoin' Currency

For a primer on how bitcoins work, check out the motiongraphic from eBay Deals.

Source for motiongraphic: wiki maintained by the Bitcoin community

Kathleen Davis is the former associate editor at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

This Former Starbucks Employee Started a Side Hustle That's Making More Than $70,000 a Month — and He's Not Done Yet

When Tom Saar moved to New York City, he spotted a lucrative business opportunity.

Business News

Is One Company to Blame for Soaring Rental Prices in the U.S.?

The FBI recently raided a major corporate landlord while investigating a rent price-fixing scheme. Here's what we know.

Business News

Amazon Has a Blank Book Problem: Buyers Report Receiving Fakes of Bestselling UFO Book

The book looked fine on the outside, but the inside was out-of-this-world.

Business News

Paramount Leadership Alludes to Layoffs If Merger Does Not Go Through

Paramount is awaiting approval on its merger with Skydance Media from majority shareholder Shari Redstone.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Microsoft Reportedly Lays Off Over 1,500 Employees in Cloud Sector as Partnership with OpenAI Strengthens

Alphabet also reportedly laid off employees from several teams in Google's cloud unit last week.