Bob Gourley

This is the second in our Bitcoin series. The first was an introduction to key concepts and terms around Bitcoin titled: Crypto-currencies and their promise for enterprise technology professionals. With this post we discuss a tool you can use immediately to work with Bitcoin, CoinBase.

One of the easiest ways to start learning Bitcoin is to create an account with CoinBase.  Coinbase is an online bitcoin wallet and platform that both merchants and consumers can use for transactions.  It is absolutely the easiest onramp to the bitcoin economy and creating an account is free, fast and secure.

Coinbase provides free capability to send or receive bitcoin between online wallets, friends or merchants. When transferring bitcoin between currencies Coinbase charges a 1% fee.

They also provide routine security and backups to reduce worry. Developers have access to an API to facilitate the use of bitcoin in applications.

Once you have set up your coinbase account you can transfer funds in to buy bitcoin. Or you can request funds in bitcoin from others. You can use the optional URL that makes it easy to give others your bitcoin wallet address. An example is mine at http://coinbase.com/ctovision  Visit that link and should you desire you can transfer any amount to me in bitcoin.

Bitcoin is far more than a way to exchange value. But learning this core capability is an important step to learning its many other potential uses, and we recommend establishing an account at Coinbase to kickstart your learning.  Do it here: CoinBase