Definition
The pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin who published the Bitcoin whitepaper in 2008 and launched the network in 2009. Their true identity remains unknown.
Related Terms
Satoshi (sat)
The smallest unit of Bitcoin, equal to 0.00000001 BTC. Named after Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. "Stacking sats" means accumulating small amounts of Bitcoin.
Seed Phrase
A set of 12 or 24 words that serves as a master backup for a Bitcoin wallet. Can be used to recover your wallet if your device is lost or damaged. Must be stored securely offline.
Public Key
A cryptographic code derived from your private key that can be shared publicly. Used to generate Bitcoin addresses for receiving payments.
Self-Custody
The practice of holding your own Bitcoin private keys rather than trusting a third party. Summarized by the phrase "not your keys, not your coins."
Proof of Work
The consensus mechanism Bitcoin uses to validate transactions. Miners must expend computational energy to solve puzzles, making it costly to attack the network.