Bitcoin is a decentralized 10,000-node computer network scattered worldwide. There is no central authority, that means. So behind Bitcoin, there is no headquarters, no corporate facility. It has the nature of a decentralized network because only the technology is at the forefront, no business enterprise. This decentralized network is therefore beyond states reach. Who is the State supposed to address? Bitcoin does not have any summonable address, and the government cannot control Bitcoin. Its technology pure. And for almost ten years, it has worked without interruption.
Bitcoin has a value in respect to other currencies, like traditional fiat currencies such as the US dollar. However, like many cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin is incredibly volatile, much more so that it is upward than most fiat currencies. For instance, Bitcoins total rise in value for the twelve months ended 1 May 2021 ran from less than $9,000 to almost $57,000 per BTC.
The exponential growth of Bitcoin can be linked to its price appreciation and adoption of Bitcoin by the crypto community. Institutional and retail investors have turned to Bitcoin as the most reliable crypto to trade, transact, and hedge against inflation. But what does Bitcoin offer at its base layer to the average crypto user?
Bitcoin was founded in the early eighties when algorithms were first devised supporting contemporary cryptocurrency. Bit Gold, invented during the end-1990s by Nick Szabo, was its closest ancestor. Although Bit Gold never got wider traction, it shared some characteristics that Bitcoin had in common, like watertight duplication protection, the blockchain as the final transaction ledge, public keys for individual users, and integrated scarcity.
Bitcoins first publicly recorded transaction was in October 2008, when a pseudonymous individual or organization, known as Satoshi Nakamoto, released a white paper outlining a new, decentralized cryptocurrency. The identity of Nakamoto remains unclear, while suspicion is focused on a handful of persons in the U.S who were engaged in the 1990s and 2000s bitcoin movement. Nakamoto issued the open-source code for Bitcoin in January 2009, which marked the start of public mining and commercial activity, and soon after that, stopped public communication.
Bitcoin was utilised mainly as a private exchange for the first three years of its life. By the end of 2012, the first large enterprise to accept Bitcoin payments was the online publishing platform of WordPress. In 2013 and 2014, further projects were followed, such as OkCupid, Baidu, Expedia, and Overstock.com. Baidu subsequently ceased to accept Bitcoin under Chinese government pressure, which saw Bitcoin as a threat to its own fiat money.
Bitcoins mainstreaming continued in late 2010 and early 2020. Day traders, hedge funds, and even business managers adopted the cryptocurrency, prompting a surge of speculation. As a result, BTC more than sextupled in value in the 18 months, which ended in May 2021. Acceptance of the currency by hitherto resentful global banks such as Citibank and JPMorgan Chase quickly followed.
While other virtual currencies preceded it, Bitcoin is known to be the first mainstream cryptocurrency. In addition, Bitcoin is the first to combine certain fundamental traits shared by cryptocurrencies which were later created:
Much like the Tor Browser program that allows total anonymity on the internet for peer-to-peer communication, Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer trading cryptocurrency. Portal, a Bitcoin-based DEX for P2P exchange, is leveraging Bitcoins capabilities to build a censorship-resistant platform.
Portal describes itself as a cross-chain DEX built on Bitcoin and a self-hosted Layer 2 wallet. Portal intends to streamline the atomic exchanges process between the BTC and other cryptocurrencies, a problem currently facing the whole cryptocurrency sector. Portal is a peer-to-peer layer built on Bitcoin which allows genuine exchange. In addition, Portal unlocks Bitcoins ability to decentralize finance from options trading to lending and borrowing.
Portals core is its Layer 2 and Layer 3 technology, called Fabric, an open-source toolbox for deploying censorship-resistant layers on top of the Bitcoin base layer. Fabric enables the completely private, off-chain execution of smart contracts for asset issuance, P2P swaps, staking, liquidity, derivatives, and more.
The Fabric Network is a computation market that users can utilize smart contracts (and other specifically built software) and pay Bitcoin to peers that run them. The contracts specify several financial primitives, including loans, debt, options, futures, vested payments, and more.
Portal is DeFi built on Bitcoin. It makes DeFi unstoppable with anonymous, zero-knowledge swaps via the first true cross-chain DEX thats genuinely trustless. It eliminates minting wrapped coins (i.e. wBTC, wETH) or risky staking with intermediaries. With Portal, DeFi becomes a service that anyone can provide, maintaining anonymity within open, transparent markets with a security model as robust as Bitcoin mining.
- Tor Browser Has a New WebTunnel Feature to Avoid Censorship - How-To Geek - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- The CIA Is Now Trying to Recruit Russian Spies On Telegram - TIME - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Dark Web Alerts: Identifying Criminal Data Exposure on the Dark Web - Security Boulevard - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Mullvad aces security audit with this new privacy tool - TechRadar - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Billions of Google Chrome users warned to avoid browser over red alert privacy concerns check your sett... - The US Sun - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- How the decision on Space Command's home will be made - POLITICO - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Bitcoin Mixers: Clearnet vs. Darknet Which Offers Greater Anonymity? - Crypto Mode - April 27th, 2023 [April 27th, 2023]
- Matt Taibbi: Report on the Censorship-Industrial Complex - Scheerpost.com - April 27th, 2023 [April 27th, 2023]
- The Ultimate 2023 Guide to The Tor Browser Explained - Pixel Privacy - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- What is Tor & How Do You Use It? Microsoft 365 - January 17th, 2023 [January 17th, 2023]
- Improving privacy when browsing web: Alternative browsers and chrome extensions - HackRead - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Tor Browser Bundle - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download - October 11th, 2022 [October 11th, 2022]
- Hacktivists seek to aid Iran protests with cyberattacks and tips on how to bypass internet censorship - CNBC - October 11th, 2022 [October 11th, 2022]
- This security firm claims to have the right tool for your privacy, and it's not a VPN - TechRadar - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- A VPN Isn't the Only Way to Change Your IP Address - CNET - September 11th, 2022 [September 11th, 2022]
- Hi, I'll be your ransomware negotiator today but don't tell the crooks that - The Register - August 6th, 2022 [August 6th, 2022]
- Rewards for Justice Reward Offer for Information on Russian Interference in U.S. Elections - United States Department of State - Department of State - July 29th, 2022 [July 29th, 2022]
- How Tor Is Fightingand BeatingRussian Censorship - WIRED - July 29th, 2022 [July 29th, 2022]
- What Is Incognito Mode And Should You Be Using It? - Forbes - July 29th, 2022 [July 29th, 2022]
- TOR Browser - Onion VPN on the App Store - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- Tor Browser now bypasses internet censorship automatically - BleepingComputer - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- The dangers of the dark web: being safe online - Open Access Government - July 13th, 2022 [July 13th, 2022]
- Tor vs VPN: Which One Should You Use? - Dignited - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Rewards for Justice Offers Up to $10 Million for Information on Foreign Interference in US Elections - HS Today - HSToday - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Kremlin tightens control over Russians' online lives threatening domestic freedoms and the global internet - Jacksonville Journal-Courier - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Defence in Amanda Todd 'sextortion' trial zeroes in on missing data - The Tri-City News - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Now that 'Roe' has been overturned, it's up to the tech industry to protect our data - Fast Company - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- QAnon Is Celebrating the Return of Its Leader After 18 Months of Silence - VICE - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- 3 ways to find out if your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web - Komando - June 22nd, 2022 [June 22nd, 2022]
- EXPLAINER: EFCC 'Linked Naira Marley to the Dark Web'. Here's What You Need to Know About the Internet's Most Hidden Part - FIJ NG - June 11th, 2022 [June 11th, 2022]
- What is the Dark Web? - AOL - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- Cookie Banners Can Be AnnoyingHere's How To Block Them - WRAL News - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- DuckDuckGo tries to explain why its browsers won't block some Microsoft web trackers - The Register - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- Proton VPN Secure Core: what it is and when you should use it - TechRadar - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- How to Download & Install Tor Browser in Windows 10 - May 7th, 2022 [May 7th, 2022]
- How to Unblock a Webpage from Behind a Firewall - Beebom - May 7th, 2022 [May 7th, 2022]
- Download Tor Browser For Windows & MAC (Offline Installer) - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- Tor Browser - Dark Web Portal Exposed | Dark Web Wiki - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- Top 10 dark web links & Tor websites for 2022 - Surfshark - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- How to Install the Tor Browser on a Chromebook - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- How to Anonymous access to the dark web with Tor - BollyInside - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- How to Change the Tor Browser Language - How-To Geek - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- Bites of Life: Shining Light on the Dark Web - Macalester College The Mac Weekly - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- How to protect against the weakest link in cybersecurity THE USERS - Security Boulevard - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- What Is Dark Social and Why It Matters - Legal Talk Network - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- IP bans - why they happen and how to prevent them - Oneindia - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- Deep Web Tor Browser - Tor Links - Onion Links (2022) - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- How to Install and Use the Tor Browser on Linux - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- The Best VPN for Binance 2022 [How to Use Binance With a VPN] - Cloudwards - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- Three tactics for security providers in the age of Dark Web collaboration - SecurityInfoWatch - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- Simple way to Install Tor Browser in Rocky Linux 8 - Linux Shout - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- Laptop in Veltman apartment had what appeared to be 'hate-related material': docs - Lethbridge News Now - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- How to Access Blocked Websites anywhere and for Free - BollyInside - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- Download Tor Browser for Mac - Free - 10.0 - Digital Trends - March 11th, 2022 [March 11th, 2022]
- Open in Tor Browser Get this Extension for Firefox (en-US) - March 11th, 2022 [March 11th, 2022]
- Use Brave Private Browsing with Tor to Hide IP Address - OSXDaily - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- Are Crypto Transactions More Transparent Than Wire Transfers? - InvestingCube - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- The Truth about Dark Web Is It Really Dangerous? - Crypto Mode - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- Tech-Savvy Professionals Among 22 Arrested In Dark Web Narcotics Operation - NDTV - February 15th, 2022 [February 15th, 2022]
- Download Tor Browser for Windows - Free - 11.0.3 - February 1st, 2022 [February 1st, 2022]
- Tor Project heads to Russian court to appeal against censorship - The Daily Swig - February 1st, 2022 [February 1st, 2022]
- Firefox Monitor may remove personal information now from the Internet - Ghacks Technology News - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- The Real Russia. Today. Reining in an unruly Communist Party Meduza - Meduza - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- See the stunning mansion Josh Duggar is calling home during his child pornography trial ahead of possible... - The US Sun - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- Whats the Difference Between the Deep Web and the Dark Web? - How-To Geek - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- How to Access the Dark Web Complete Guide? - The Bulletin Time - December 7th, 2021 [December 7th, 2021]
- Theres More to Threat Intelligence Than Dark Web Monitoring - Security Boulevard - November 25th, 2021 [November 25th, 2021]
- You have to work on this through the routeras options diet plan, as some items immediately restore previous setup after a forced reboot - ADOTAS - November 25th, 2021 [November 25th, 2021]
- What is Tor (Browser) & How does it work? | CyberNews - November 23rd, 2021 [November 23rd, 2021]
- Privacy-Protective Internet Browser Tor Is Running Low on Servers - Gizmodo - November 23rd, 2021 [November 23rd, 2021]
- Yes, the Internet has become safer but a VPN is still needed - TechGenix - November 19th, 2021 [November 19th, 2021]
- Scots businessman caught with the 'most serious' category of child abuse images jailed - Scottish Daily Record - November 19th, 2021 [November 19th, 2021]
- Anna and Josh Duggar welcomed daughter Madyson Lily on October 23, their 7th child * starcasm.net - Starcasm - November 17th, 2021 [November 17th, 2021]
- Tor Browser (Alpha) 11.0.9 Download | TechSpot - November 5th, 2021 [November 5th, 2021]
- US government offers $10 million bounty for information on Colonial Pipeline hackers - The Verge - November 5th, 2021 [November 5th, 2021]
- The Tor Browser: What is it and why would you use it ... - October 24th, 2021 [October 24th, 2021]
- Tor Explained: What is Tor? How Does It Work? Is It Illegal? - October 21st, 2021 [October 21st, 2021]
- Alternatives to Using a VPN That Provided Excellent Anonymity While Online - TechBullion - October 21st, 2021 [October 21st, 2021]
- Slicing open The Onion Router (Tor) with no tears - ComputerWeekly.com - October 19th, 2021 [October 19th, 2021]
- What is the dark web? - fox4kc.com - October 19th, 2021 [October 19th, 2021]