Bitcoin 101 - What is Bitcoin?

This is the definitive introduction to Bitcoin. Without diving too deep into the code, James brings you to understand why Bitcoin works and why it has such power.

This video is the result of a talk we did at Harvard University in April 2014 for Bitcoin beginners. Many of them mentioned that this talk helped them to finally understood the basic idea and we hope it works for you too. Even better, it is a story, covering the failures and difficulties of creating a digital currency, so for non-techies it is more accesible as well.

For the original slides to this presentation, click here

Welcome to WBN's Bitcoin 101 Blackboard Series -- a full beginner to expert course in Bitcoin, hosted by James D'Angelo. Please like, subscribe, comment or even drop a little jangly in our bitcoin tip jar
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Thanks, WBN

[horse]

I came here to learn how to make some money but I am leaving with an appreciation of the idea of bitcoin. Very cool thanks

[je]

"Focus on the ledger not the currency... bitcoin eliminates the need for cash to make currency. There is no cash in bitcoin only access to specific ledger units." That is all you need to understand bitcoin.

The best channel on bitcoin on the internet. 5 years old and still extremely relevant.

[bigtimebubble]

Finally a brand new approach to introducing Bitcoin. Great for experts because now they have another tool for describing Bitcoin, great for newbies, because now they have a chance at understanding it, at least a little bit, in under a half hour.

[AlexMode]

One of the best videos for introducing bitcoins for newcomers. Up there with Andreas' ones, good job!

[frankmartin]

One of the best explanations of Bitcoin of all time.

[aussenseitermagazin]

This video made me understand the basic of what Bitcoin is years ago. It's 2020 now and it is still the best explanation of Bitcoin you can share with people. I just shared it a few minutes ago.

[BiPiTYGrrrl]

Now that is what I call a great introduction to Bitcoin. I never thought I would understand it. Go James.

[andreas]

This is the best beginner's intro to Bitcoin I have seen so far. It would've saved me a lot of time back when I was getting started. Great work James! Also loved your comparison with the first airplane at MIT.

[koinkidbizitkoin]

Like butter, James. I follow Bitcoin, but I loved this. Sweet story about walking into a bank with a gun and asking them "Vault or Ledger?"

[josephlatham]

I searched frantically for an explanation of what bitcoin was and how it works, and finally your video made it clear. Absolutely fantastic video, very impressed. Nice speaking voice, very clear, very to the point, very interesting to watch, very cool, and just all around a natural great piece of work of how bitcoin works. Thank you for this.

[CryptoCoinUser]

The security issues are not with Bitcoin itself, but with storage/management of the private keys.
If someone has an un-pickable lock on their house, but chooses to always store the key under the door mat, the security of the house is compromised, but not because of the lock.

[joemomma]

I never would have thought that Oatie of "The Goats", one of the first people to get me interested in politics ever, would also be one the first people to get me interested in Bitcoin decades later. What a wonderful and strange world.

[jameswoenker]

3.5 years later.
Old dog stepping into it.
Thank you.

[Moneyandtech]

Excellent. It's hard to describe the true power of the Bitcoin protocol and subsequent network that has already been built.

[TheDirtFighter]

Great vid James. I have been pointing people to your channel for about a month now. You do a much better job at explaining BTC than I do…I have watched this vid 3 or 4 times though and I am getting better at explaining. Thanks for the effort 

[britaom]

This just might be the best video I've seen that explains Bitcoin so clearly.

[bitcoincentralheating]

Bitcoin mining can also be central heating, take a look!

[popescuconstantin]

very very good introduction for bitcoin

[heinzwischnowski]

Again a true marvel. I can't stop watching your videos. You're doing a tremendous job.

[bonnymw]

Great job explaining this complex subject using this story and parable. Really waiting to watch the other videos on bitcoin.