Bitcoin is the oldest, biggest and most important of all cryptocurrencies.
Created in 2009 by an anonymous person or group going by the name of Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin was the first currency to be built on a blockchain. In essence, a blockchain is a way of recording all the transactions that have ever occurred in a single, public ledger.
The blockchain uses this information to verify new transactions in real time, preventing double-spending and removing the need for a trusted intermediary such as a bank to check whether the person making the transaction has the funds to do so. The blockchain itself is shared between a vast global network of computers making it impossible to alter.
Bitcoin has a hardcoded upper limit of 21 million coins, which are released at roughly 10-minute intervals through a process known as ‘mining’. In mining, powerful computers compete to solve complex cryptographic problems (hence cryptocurrency). The successful computer receives an amount of Bitcoin while also adding a new ‘block’ of verified transactions to the blockchain. This system is called a Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism
The release of new Bitcoin is designed to be deflationary (i.e. over time one Bitcoin should gain more purchasing power). Every four years, the network undergoes a process called the ‘Halving’, which halves the amount of Bitcoin sent to successful miners. At the beginning, each block generated 50 Bitcoin. Three Halvings later, that’s been reduced to 6.25 Bitcoin. It’s expected that the final Bitcoin will be mined in the year 2140.
As the oldest and most traded cryptocurrency, you’ll often see Bitcoin used as a trading pair for altcoins. For many cryptocurrency traders and investors, the goal isn’t to earn more fiat currency (which are inflationary by design) but rather to accumulate as much Bitcoin as they possibly can.
Note: there are a number of so-called Bitcoin ‘forks’ in existence that split off the main chain and became independent currencies. These include Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Bitcoin Satoshi’s Vision (BSV), Bitcoin Diamond (BTCD) and Bitcoin Gold (BTCG). Always make sure when you’re buying Bitcoin, you’re buying coins on the original chain.
While it’s still rare to find retailers that accept Bitcoin as payment, with CoinJar Card you can use the Bitcoin in your CoinJar account (or any of the other 50+ cryptos we offer) to make purchases anywhere that Mastercard is accepted.
The safest way to Buy Bitcoin is through a trusted exchange with a proven track record. CoinJar is Australia’s longest-running crypto exchange and has been operating since 2013 with no unplanned downtime, security breaches or loss of customer funds. We are registered with AUSTRAC and the FCA UK (for AML purposes) and work with some of the world’s largest payment providers, including Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Yes – with CoinJar Instant Buy you can buy BTC using any Australian-issued Visa or Mastercard. We also offer support for Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Yes, you can buy less than 1 Bitcoin. Bitcoin is denominated to 8 decimal places, with the smallest denomination being known as a ‘satoshi’ or sat. On CoinJar you can start buying Bitcoin with as little as $20.
The price of Bitcoin in AUD is determined by the international Bitcoin market – basically, the price to be found on cryptocurrency exchanges in Australia and all around the world. These prices tend to be the same (or very close) because any differences are smoothed out by arbitrage traders that buy at one exchange and sell at another.
The best way to buy Bitcoin in Australia is through an exchange like CoinJar. We offer accurate prices, low fees and an easy-to-use, ultra-secure app.
Bitcoin forks occur when a group of miners decide to split from the main chain by adopting a particular change to the network and causing a new blockchain to come into existence. There are a number of Bitcoin forks that split off the main chain and became independent currencies. These include Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Bitcoin Satoshi’s Vision (BSV), Bitcoin Diamond (BTCD) and Bitcoin Gold (BTCG). Always make sure when you’re buying Bitcoin, you’re buying coins on the original chain.
Bitcoin is popular both because it was the first crypto in existence (so it’s had more time to develop market share) and also because it’s considered the purest cryptocurrency – no fundamental changes to its code have ever been made and no central body controls it.
Some people argue that Bitcoin shares traits with gold – it’s a tradeable asset defined by its scarcity, finite supply and the difficulty of creating it. However, while gold is quite difficult to trade and own due to its weight and the need to physically transport it, Bitcoin can be traded and transported anywhere in the world at the click of a button.
Bitcoin is the best performing asset over the last decade, growing by more than 300,000%. While the price of Bitcoin is famously volatile and capable of going up and down rapidly, the long-term uptrend has been remarkably stable.
It takes around 5 minutes to create a new CoinJar account and verify your ID. Once you’re verified you can deposit cash, buy and sell crypto and activate your CoinJar Card.
CoinJar is the longest-running crypto exchange in Australia and has been designed from the ground up with security and ease-of-use in mind. From the quick and intuitive sign-up process, to our lightning fast bank deposits and withdrawals, low fees starting at 0% (on CoinJar Exchange), and a user-friendly iOS and Android app, CoinJar is the ideal crypto exchange whether you’re buying crypto for the first time or an experienced investor.
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CoinJar’s digital currency exchange services are operated by CoinJar Australia Pty Ltd ACN 648 570 807, a registered digital currency exchange provider with AUSTRAC.
CoinJar Card is a prepaid Mastercard® issued by EML Payment Solutions Limited ABN 30 131 436 532 AFSL 404131 pursuant to license by Mastercard. CoinJar Australia Pty Ltd is an authorised representative of EML Payment Solutions Limited (AR No 1290193). We recommend you consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before making any decision to acquire the product. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.
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