1. The Mysterious Creator: Bitcoin was invented by an anonymous person (or group) called Satoshi Nakamoto, whose true identity remains unknown to this day. The enigma surrounding Nakamoto has sparked countless theories and investigations.
2. Lost Bitcoins: It's estimated that around 20% of all Bitcoins in existence are permanently lost. These lost coins are trapped in wallets whose private keys have been forgotten or destroyed, making them inaccessible forever.
3. Pizza Purchase: The first-ever real-world Bitcoin transaction involved the purchase of two pizzas for 10,000 Bitcoins. At today's value, those pizzas would be worth millions of dollars, making it one of the most expensive meals in history.
4. The Halving Event: Bitcoin mining rewards are halved approximately every four years in an event called the "halving." This process is built into the Bitcoin protocol to ensure a controlled supply of new coins and is a crucial factor in Bitcoin's scarcity.
5. Quantum Threat: With the advent of quantum computers, there's a concern that they could potentially break the cryptographic algorithms used in Bitcoin. However, developers are actively working on quantum-resistant solutions to safeguard the cryptocurrency's future.
6. The Bitcoin Whale: There are individuals known as "Bitcoin whales" who hold a significant amount of the cryptocurrency. These whales have the power to influence the market due to their substantial holdings, often triggering volatility with their trades.
7. The Pizza Index: The "Bitcoin Pizza Index" was created to track the value of Bitcoin by measuring how many pizzas you could buy with a certain amount of the cryptocurrency. It serves as a quirky way to gauge Bitcoin's purchasing power over time.
8. The 21 Million Limit: Bitcoin has a maximum supply cap of 21 million coins. This scarcity, combined with growing demand, has contributed to Bitcoin's value over time. Once all 21 million coins are mined, no new Bitcoins can be created.
9. Satoshi's Fortune: If Satoshi Nakamoto is still in possession of their Bitcoins, they would be one of the richest individuals in the world. It's estimated that Nakamoto's holdings would be worth billions or even tens of billions of dollars.