How to use Bitcoin

Back in 2013, a Bitcoin enthusiast named Laszlo Hanyecz created a message board post offering 10,000 Bitcoin (worth about $25 at the time) to anyone willing to deliver two pizzas to his home in Jacksonville, Florida. The pizzas were reportedly purchased from a local Papa John's by another early Bitcoin adopter, marking the first successful purchase of non-virtual goods using Bitcoin. Thankfully, using Bitcoin is much easier these days!

Ease of Use: Transactions using BTC are not much different from those using a credit or debit card, except that instead of entering credit card information, you simply enter the payment amount and the vendor's public key (similar to an email address) through your wallet app. (When making in-person transactions using a smartphone or tablet, a QR code often pops up to simplify the process. When you scan the code, your wallet app automatically enters the relevant information.)

Privacy: One of the benefits of paying with Bitcoin is that it limits the amount of personal information you need to provide. The only time you need to share your name and address is when purchasing physical goods that require shipping.

Flexibility of Use: How you use Bitcoin depends entirely on your personal interests. Here are some suggestions:

You can sell your Bitcoin for cash using an exchange or a Bitcoin ATM.

You can use your Bitcoin debit card to spend online or at brick-and-mortar retailers, just as you would any other currency.

You can keep some or all of it as part of an investment and savings strategy.

You can choose the currency you prefer (see ).

And what if you have a big budget and an unfulfilled dream of becoming an astronaut? Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic happily accepts BTC in exchange for the opportunity to launch on an upcoming space mission.

Due to the encrypted nature of the Bitcoin network, Bitcoin payments are fundamentally more secure than standard debit/credit card transactions.