An examination of the economic incentives behind mining attacks, how they can lead to centralization, and which protocol or economic countermeasures make sense. Ideal for readers who want to understand both technical mechanisms and economic risks. Introduction Bitcoin relies on the Proof-of-Work (PoW) mechanism to ensure security and decentralization. Yet both theoretical and practical analyses…
In 1981, Buckminster Fuller proposed the concept of the “Kilowatt Dollar” in his book Critical Path. He envisioned a monetary system where value was directly tied to energy expenditure, rather than arbitrary fiat issuance. This idea aimed to create a more grounded and sustainable economic model. Fast forward to the 21st century, and Bitcoin has…
The Bitcoin network, as the bedrock of the cryptocurrency revolution, offers unparalleled security and decentralization for value transfers. However, its inherent scaling limitations, particularly the restricted transaction capacity of the base layer (around 7 transactions per second), have spurred the development of off-chain scaling solutions. The Bitcoin Lightning Network (LN) stands as the most prominent…
Bitcoin is not just an asset. For billions of people around the world, it is fast becoming an alternative monetary infrastructure—one that operates outside of state control, bank rails, and the inflationary pressures of fiat currencies. A new interactive Bitcoin Adoption World Map provides a live, data-driven visualization of this growing phenomenon, highlighting both macro-level…
The Cambridge Fintech Ecosystem Atlas is a scientific digital tool developed to identify, map, track, and analyse fintech entities and their activities across different markets and jurisdictions over time. It is maintained by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and serves as a research-driven resource to better understand the structure and evolution of the global…
The website dailyblockchain.github.io provides a compelling and intuitive real-time visualization of Bitcoin transactions. What at first glance appears to be a playful arrangement of colored blocks is, in fact, a clever and educational representation of the processes happening within the Bitcoin blockchain. This platform is valuable not only for beginners looking to understand how blockchain…
The website bitcointreasuries.net offers a revealing look into one of the most significant trends in the world of digital assets: the growing institutional embrace of Bitcoin. This platform tracks the Bitcoin holdings of publicly listed companies, private firms, exchange-traded products, and even government entities. The data it provides underscores a paradigm shift—Bitcoin is no longer…
The Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index (CBECI), developed by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF), offers a real-time estimate of the total electricity consumption of the Bitcoin network. This tool is instrumental in understanding the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining, which relies on energy-intensive proof-of-work algorithms. Understanding the CBECI Methodology The CBECI estimates Bitcoin’s…
The Bitcoin Halving Spiral offers a novel, non‐linear visualization of Bitcoin’s price evolution in relation to its programmed “halving” events. By mapping time onto an outward logarithmic spiral, each full rotation corresponds to a four-year halving cycle, revealing consistent patterns of pre-halving consolidation and post-halving rallies Bitbo Charts. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the chart encapsulates…
The world of Bitcoin is built on freedom, transparency, and community control – and these principles are reflected perfectly in software projects released under the MIT License. But what makes this license so special, and why should you rely on projects that use it? The MIT License is one of the most permissive open-source licenses…
