Bitcoin explained

Bitcoin is a virtual currency, also known as a cryptocurrency. It was developed in 2009 and has grown at a rapid rate since then. Bitcoin is accepted in almost every country in the world; more than 500 million dollars have been transferred via this method till today. It gives an unprecedented degree of financial autonomy to its users.

Bitcoin is a truly international currency which is inflation-resistant, private, autonomous, does not require consent and cannot be censored. There is no central bank devaluing money through inflation, nor any banks or other middle-men conducting the transfer between sender and receiver. Bitcoin transactions are without borders. The user's private key gives full ownership of Bitcoin units, and with a passphrase you can even store it in your head. 

Generally from digital wallets or currency exchanges. These exist in virtually every country. These facilities will usually confirm the identity of their customers via video-based methods. You can then purchase Bitcoin via bank transfer or in some cases using other payment methods such as credit cards and PayPal for instance. After the purchase, users can store the acquired coins in their Bitcoin Wallet.

Many countries also have platforms for direct trade between private individuals which are quite popular. There are often vending machines from which you can buy Bitcoin. In addition to that you can also purchase credit vouchers in kiosks.

An alternative way to the purchase of Bitcoin is acceptance. For example by using BitBucks! You can accept Bitcoin as payment for goods or services that you provide. In some countries, employees or freelancers may be able to convert part of their salary or fee payments into Bitcoin.

Bitcoin is, in essence, an open-source software. This means that it belongs to no-one and therefore to everyone. No-one can build a fence around Bitcoin - everyone has access.

Yes and no. If you want to buy Bitcoin directly from, for example, the stock market, you will need a valid credit card or bank account. Another way to get bitcoin is by using custodial wallets like BitBucks. This is possible because Bitcoin is a monetary protocol for the Internet. You can use Bitcoin in the same way as you access a website. Access is enabled by wallet software, which is available in various models free of charge, or by direct connection to a node.

In almost all countries, the use of Bitcoin to send and receive money is permitted. In a few countries this is restricted or completely forbidden. Please seek reliable information as to the legal situation regarding Bitcoin in your country.

There are 1,000 virtual currencies, and none of these offer any significant advantages over Bitcoin. Bitcoin is the face of the financial revolution, the brand name of virtual currencies, the best-known and most widely accepted of them all. Why, then, would anyone want to start from scratch with another currency?

Anyone who has access to the Internet. Everyone is equal with Bitcoin; the network does not require permission. Age, gender, religion, social status, origin - Bitcoin does not recognise these categories.

A Bitcoin wallet is software you can use to administer your bitcoins. There are many wallets for all common computer systems. You can choose between local and online wallets. A local wallet gives greater independence and privacy, while an online wallet can offer more convenience. 

Bitcoins are sent to addresses. An address is an approximately 35-digit character combination. It has a similar function as the IBAN number for bank transfers: You can transfer money to it by entering it in a field on the transfer form. However, unlike IBAN numbers, your wallet can form an almost infinite number of addresses.

In Bitcoin terminology, Bitcoin are not saved to addresses but as UTXO or “unspent output”. UTXO is commonly known as “coin” as it represents just this: coinage to the specified value of Bitcoin. Such coins can only be spent as a whole. If they are larger than the sum to be sent, then the remaining amount comes back into your wallet as change.

While in Fiat money the central banks can control the money supply, in Bitcoin it is determined by an algorithm. The miners are forced to mine the amount of bitcoins specified in the protocol. The amount of bitcoins in circulation can be checked in the present by anyone and predicted for the future. Currently, there are more than 17.5 million bitcoins, the creation of new coins reduces by half every four years. There will never be more than 21 million bitcoins.

It's simple: copy the recipient's address into a field within your Bitcoin Wallet, enter the amount, and click "Send". In most BTC wallets, you can specify the amount in your local currency, so no conversion is required. Payment requests or the payment protocol are often used. They already include the amount and can either be activated by clicking or by copying them into the send field. Mobile wallets are able to scan transaction requests, so you only have to confirm the transaction. Bitcoin Wallets such as BitBucks even allow you pay with BTC by scanning the recipients QR-Code.

The lightning network is a so-called “offchain” network. It does not transport Bitcoins to the blockchain, but operates through “payment channels”. These increase the privacy of transactions and the scalability of the system, but so far they still offer users reduced convenience and security.
An alternative to the lightning network is a fiduciary wallet such as BitBucks, which carries out transactions for users within its own system. This is less autonomous, like lightning, however results in the same effect in terms of scalability and can be better integrated into a convenient user interface.

PayPal is a closed system. The money that is moved via PayPal remains in that system, and can only be accessed through PayPal software. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is an open system. The user can transfer money directly, without a middle-man. At the same time this means that there is a market for middle-mens, who can provide users with an interface for Bitcoin and, with a wallet like BitBucks, payments are cheaper and more convenient.

A Bitcoin transaction attracts a fee which is paid to the miner. Under normal circumstances fees amount between one and five cents. However during peak times these may increase noticeably to values of 50 cents or even one euro. If you pay too little in fees, you will have to wait longer for confirmation of your transaction. Most wallets select the appropriate fees. Wallets like BitBucks, in which transactions can also be internally calculated, can save you fees and accelerate confirmation of your transactions.

If you sell your Bitcoin on the same day at the end-of-day price, the volatility of the Bitcoin price hardly plays a role for you as a merchant. In addition, due to the pending halving and the deflationary character of Bitcoin, the price is expected to stabilize over time anyway.

With a transaction, you transfer Bitcoin from your Bitcoin wallet to another party. This transaction or payment will be signed off with your private key and forwarded to the node in the Bitcoin network. This is propagated across the whole network until it reaches a miner, which can confirm the transaction. 

A payment URI is a request for payment that many wallets can generate. URIs define a target address, an amount and may include a notification for the sender such as the order number. These can be scanned like a QR code or copied into the send field of a wallet. One click on the payment URI opens the wallet with the pre-formulated transaction.
The payment service provider BitPay uses the payment protocol. This enables BitPay to set fees for a transaction and transfer this amount to the miner itself. In this way, BitPay can increase the success rate of its payments. This payment method is used in the same way as the URI: you can scan it in, click the link or copy it into a wallet. In any case, not all wallets support the payment protocol.

In theory, everywhere there is Internet. All you need is a Bitcoin Wallet such as BitBucks. Unlike national currencies, however, there is no obligation to accept Bitcoin as legal tender and so individual merchants may choose to accept it or not. At any rate, there are shops and stores in almost every country in the world that accept payments in Bitcoin, as well as numerous international online providers. Many merchants are also willing to accept BTC on request.

PayPal is a closed system. The money that is moved via PayPal remains in that system, and can only be accessed through PayPal software. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is an open system. The user can transfer money directly, without a middle-man. At the same time this means that there is a market for middle-mens, who can provide users with an interface for Bitcoin and, with a wallet like BitBucks, payments are cheaper and more convenient.

Bitcoin transactions are part of the blockchain and are therefore stored in every node of the network. “Blockexplorer” allows transactions to be traced using the BTC address or transaction ID. This is helpful in ascertaining that a transaction has actually occurred.

Yes and no. If you want to buy Bitcoin directly from, for example, the stock market, you will need a valid credit card or bank account. Another way to get bitcoin is by using custodial wallets like BitBucks. This is possible because Bitcoin is a monetary protocol for the Internet. You can use Bitcoin in the same way as you access a website. Access is enabled by wallet software, which is available in various models free of charge, or by direct connection to a node.

The lightning network is a so-called “offchain” network. It does not transport Bitcoins to the blockchain, but operates through “payment channels”. These increase the privacy of transactions and the scalability of the system, but so far they still offer users reduced convenience and security.
An alternative to the lightning network is a fiduciary wallet such as BitBucks, which carries out transactions for users within its own system. This is less autonomous, like lightning, however results in the same effect in terms of scalability and can be better integrated into a convenient user interface.

A Bitcoin transaction attracts a fee which is paid to the miner. Under normal circumstances fees amount between one and five cents. However during peak times these may increase noticeably to values of 50 cents or even one euro. If you pay too little in fees, you will have to wait longer for confirmation of your transaction. Most wallets select the appropriate fees. Wallets like BitBucks, in which transactions can also be internally calculated, can save you fees and accelerate confirmation of your transactions.

As soon as the miner puts your transaction into a block and then attaches it to the blockchain, the transaction is “confirmed”. This means that it is an official part of the blockchain and can no longer be countermanded. “Confirmation” corresponds to the two-week buyer protection period with PayPal or the settlement period with credit cards, which can take months. With Bitcoin, the confirmation period usually lasts 5-10 minutes. 

It's simple: copy the recipient's address into a field within your Bitcoin Wallet, enter the amount, and click "Send". In most BTC wallets, you can specify the amount in your local currency, so no conversion is required. Payment requests or the payment protocol are often used. They already include the amount and can either be activated by clicking or by copying them into the send field. Mobile wallets are able to scan transaction requests, so you only have to confirm the transaction. Bitcoin Wallets such as BitBucks even allow you pay with BTC by scanning the recipients QR-Code.

No. Bitcoin addresses have a checksum of their own symbols. The chance of accidentally entering a false address with the correct checksum is virtually zero. It is much lower than, for example, with IBAN numbers.

If you make the transaction yourself - no. Transactions are pseudonymised and processed by a network without distinction. As Bitcoin is a decentralised network, there is no central location with the power to prevent other nodes from carrying out and verifying transactions - as long as these are covered and valid according to the rules of the network. 

BitBucks Wallet is a mobile app for Android and iOS that enables you to pay with Bitcoin instantly and in addition to store your BTC savely in your Bitcoin Wallet.

It's simple! With the payment function of the app you can pay instantly and easily in Bitcoin. Within a second the amount is credited to the BitBucks account of the recipient.

No! All payments within the BitBucks app are completely free and can be made in seconds.

For this you need a second Bitcoin Wallet next to the BitBucks App: We recommend the Blue Wallet or Electrum where you can store your Bitcoin credit. Using the top-up function in the BitBucks app, you can then simply transfer Bitcoin to your BitBucks account by entering the Bitcoin address.

Yes! You can withdraw your desired balance from the BitBucks App to another Bitcoin Wallet at any time. Please keep in mind that besides the normal costs for blockchain transactions, we at BitBucks also charge a 2% fee for payouts.

Top-ups and pay-outs are free of charge for merchants who use the BitBucks app. Payments within the wallet are charged a transaction fee of one percent. In comparison, payments by credit card in Germany usually cost merchants between two and four percent (excluding fees for card terminal providers) and are therefore much more expensive.

For all bookings within the BitBucks App an overview can be created monthly as PDF to ensure a smoothly tax accounting.

Payments within the Bitcoin Wallet of BitBucks can be made to all valid telephone numbers. Since the transactions are executed outside the blockchain - offchain - even smaller amounts can be processed in BitBucks within a second.

If you make the transaction yourself - no. Transactions are pseudonymised and processed by a network without distinction. As Bitcoin is a decentralised network, there is no central location with the power to prevent other nodes from carrying out and verifying transactions - as long as these are covered and valid according to the rules of the network. 

No, bitcoins payments are not anonymous. The blockchain stores every transaction including sender and receiver. However, bitcoins payment is pseudonymous: The blockchain does not know any private data, but only signatures and addresses. Bitcoin thus allows a degree of privacy that goes far beyond that of banks and payment service providers.

While in Fiat money the central banks can control the money supply, in Bitcoin it is determined by an algorithm. The miners are forced to mine the amount of bitcoins specified in the protocol. The amount of bitcoins in circulation can be checked in the present by anyone and predicted for the future. Currently, there are more than 17.5 million bitcoins, the creation of new coins reduces by half every four years. There will never be more than 21 million bitcoins.

If you store your private key securely, no one can confiscate your bitcoins.  Only the one who has the key can access bitcoins. It is protected by strong cryptography.

Usually the Bitcoin wallet keeps your private keys private by storing them in an encrypted file. You can also print the private keys as "Cold Wallet" and separate them from the Internet. You should be aware that you are solely responsible for the security of the keys. If you lose them, you lose your bitcoins. Wallets such as BitBucks, which store keys for their customers, can offer inexperienced users additional protection against key loss.

It is, in theory, possible to double-pay an unconfirmed transaction. This risk is always present when accepting unconfirmed transactions, especially large amounts. In many cases, however, this risk is insignificant, such as with dining and low-priced goods. In transactions using wallets which, like BitBucks, include the services of administering the private key and signing transactions, the risk of double spending on unconfirmed transactions is greatly reduced.

As all transactions are transparent, it is important to look after your privacy. Most wallets automatically have a few fundamental rules in place. You will never use the same address to receive Bitcoin, including change. Where users use multiple wallets, this significantly increases your privacy.  It is also good for privacy to use offchain methods such as lightning or BitBucks. 

Anyone who has access to the Internet. Everyone is equal with Bitcoin; the network does not require permission. Age, gender, religion, social status, origin - Bitcoin does not recognise these categories.

All you need is the BitBucks app on your smartphone and a QR code attached to it next to the cashier. During the payment process the customer scans this QR code with his Bitcoin wallet, enters the required amount and within a second the payment is received on your mobile phone.

Herefore the credit from the BitBucks app has to be transferred to another Bitcoin Wallet, with which the bitcoin amount can be converted into your desired currency at a so-called exchange market.

Not at all! If you would like to exchange Bitcoin for i.e. Euro, you only pay taxes on the profit achieved by the price increase. And to be honest, paying taxes on profits doesn't sound that bad, does it?

For all bookings within the BitBucks App an overview can be created monthly as PDF to ensure a smoothly tax accounting.

Top-ups and pay-outs are free of charge for merchants who use the BitBucks app. Payments within the wallet are charged a transaction fee of one percent. In comparison, payments by credit card in Germany usually cost merchants between two and four percent (excluding fees for card terminal providers) and are therefore much more expensive.

If you sell your Bitcoin on the same day at the end-of-day price, the volatility of the Bitcoin price hardly plays a role for you as a merchant. In addition, due to the pending halving and the deflationary character of Bitcoin, the price is expected to stabilize over time anyway.

If you store your private key securely, no one can confiscate your bitcoins.  Only the one who has the key can access bitcoins. It is protected by strong cryptography.

The Bitcoin received can either be sold by merchants in a timely manner at the end-of-day rate or added to their own fixed assets. In the case of a later sale on the stock exchange, only the profit made is taxable for traders - any losses can be written off normally.  *German Law only
 

In almost all countries, the use of Bitcoin to send and receive money is permitted. In a few countries this is restricted or completely forbidden. Please seek reliable information as to the legal situation regarding Bitcoin in your country.

Merchants must document the corresponding exchange rate for all Bitcoin payments - the end-of-day exchange rate is also sufficient. The Bitcoin Wallet from BitBucks provides all relevant information with an integrated transaction export in the app, thus simplifying the work for the merchant.

Yes, in Germany, crypto assets such as Bitcoin belong to the German Banking Act and are therefore considered a financial instrument. As a merchant, you can therefore accept Bitcoin without hesitation.

Stricter regulations in Germany would be equivalent to a ban, which seems more than unrealistic in the current development.

Euros (or any other currency) are still booked in the balance sheet. In the normal course of business nothing changes.

VAT is still charged on the products sold as normal. When selling Bitcoin, an additional deduction of VAT is also no longer necessary.