Bitcoin was created by an individual or group of individuals under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The identity of Satoshi Nakamoto has never been confirmed, and the creator(s) remain anonymous to this day. Nakamoto introduced Bitcoin in a 2008 white paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System” and later released the first Bitcoin software in 2009, launching the network of the decentralized cryptocurrency.

Currently, the total number of Bitcoins in circulation is around 19.3 million (as of May 2024). Bitcoin has a capped supply limit of 21 million coins, which is expected to be reached by approximately 2140.

A crypto wallet is a digital tool that allows users to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many others. It’s essential for handling cryptocurrencies because it provides security for managing and using these digital assets. Unlike a traditional wallet that stores physical currency, a crypto wallet does not store the actual cryptocurrencies. Instead, it keeps the digital credentials—known as keys—needed to access and transact with your cryptocurrency holdings.

Staking in the context of cryptocurrency is the process of actively participating in transaction validation (similar to mining) on a proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain. On these blockchains, anyone with a minimum-required balance of a specific cryptocurrency can validate transactions and earn staking rewards.