Bitcoin is an alternative type of payment system that is sometimes mentioned in the media. Is it "Internet" or "digital" money? Is it a way to conduct business outside the mainstream financial infrastructure? Is it a new way of life that could transform multiple aspects of society in the future? The answer is yes.

To meaningfully navigate the world of decentralized finance (DeFi), you first need to set up a Web3 wallet that can submit transactions and access smart contracts on a public blockchain. Because so much of the DeFi ecosystem has been built on Ethereum, this article shows you how to get started with MetaMask, an application that connects you to the Ethereum blockchain.

Originally, blockchain was just the computer science term for how to structure and share data. Today, blockchains are hailed the "fifth evolution" of computing. Blockchains are a novel approach to the distributed database. The innovation comes from incorporating old technology in new ways. You can think of blockchains as distributed databases that a group of individuals controls and that store and share information.

Simply put, a blockchain is a special kind of database. According to cigionline.org, the term blockchain refers to the whole network of distributed ledger technologies. According to Oxford Dictionaries, a ledger is “a book or other collection of financial accounts of a particular type.” It can be a computer file that records transactions.

Ethereum is a comprehensive, decentralized application platform that expands the range of capabilities beyond what was possible before blockchain technology. So, what sets it apart from other decentralized platforms? Here’s a bit of Ethereum background. Introducing Ethereum Bitcoin was the first blockchain technology application.

If you've been on the internet or watched the news in the past couple of years, chances are you've heard of Bitcoin. But what exactly is this newfangled cryptocurrency that's taking the world by storm?Bitcoin is an interesting form of currency that arose to address economic problems related to centralized currency.

Cryptocurrency miners need to keep an eye on the latest mining info to be successful. The best method of checking the pulse of the burgeoning cryptocurrency mining industry is to stay up to date using online resources, such as social media and specific online forums covering the topic. ©Shutterstock/LuckyStepDue to the infancy of the cryptocurrency mining space, many news sources in the space can be misleading, downright inaccurate, or even propagate bought-and-paid-for content without a sponsored label.

So, you’ve heard about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and you’re ready to add these new kids on the block to your investment portfolio — that’s great!To make the best decisions for your portfolio, educate yourself on the basics of cryptocurrencies and what you need to get started. Also, be sure to do your homework on a crypto’s fundamentals before adding any new assets to your portfolio.