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Bitcoin pioneered the cryptocurrency movement, but after eight years, the virtual currency is still struggling to find mainstream acceptance. Author and WSJ Moneybeat reporter Paul Vigna joins Lunch Break's Tanya Rivero to discuss why many people talk about bitcoin but many use it. Photo: Bloomberg

What exactly is Bitcoin and how does it work?

ITS worth more than an ounce of gold right now, its completely digital and its the currency of choice for the cyber attackers who crippled computer networks around the world in recent days.

When the attackers ransomware sprang into action, it held victims hostage by encrypting their data and demanding they send payments in bitcoins to regain access to their computers.

Heres a look at bitcoin:

HOW BITCOINS WORK

Bitcoin is a digital currency that is not tied to a bank or government and allows users to spend money anonymously. The coins are created by users who mine them by lending computing power to verify other users transactions. They receive bitcoins in exchange. The coins also can be bought and sold on exchanges with US dollars and other currencies.

HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH?

One bitcoin recently traded for $US1734.65 ($A2346.29), according to Coinbase, a company that helps users exchange bitcoins. That makes it more valuable than an ounce of gold, which trades at less than $US1230.

The value of bitcoins can swing sharply, though. A year ago, one was worth $US457.04, which means that its nearly quadrupled in the past 12 months. But its price doesnt always go up. A bitcoins value plunged by 23 per cent against the US dollar in just a week in January. It fell by the same amount again in 10 days during March.

WHY BITCOINS ARE POPULAR

Bitcoins are basically lines of computer code that are digitally signed each time they travel from one owner to the next. Transactions can be made anonymously, making the currency popular with libertarians as well as tech enthusiasts, speculators and criminals.

WHOS USING BITCOIN?

Some businesses have jumped on the bitcoin bandwagon amid a flurry of media coverage.

The currency has become popular enough that more than 300,000 daily transactions have been occurring recently, according to bitcoin wallet site blockchain.info. A year ago, activity was closer to 230,000 transactions per day.

Businesses from Yellow Taxis in New York to a pub in Sydney have decided to accept payment in bitcoins.

Still, its popularity is low compared with cash and cards, and many individuals and businesses wont accept bitcoins for payments.

HOW BITCOINS ARE KEPT SECURE

The bitcoin network works by harnessing individuals greed for the collective good. A network of tech-savvy users called miners keep the system honest by pouring their computing power into a blockchain, a global running tally of every bitcoin transaction. The blockchain prevents rogues from spending the same bitcoin twice, and the miners are rewarded for their efforts by being gifted with the occasional bitcoin. As long as miners keep the blockchain secure, counterfeiting shouldnt be an issue.

HOW BITCOIN CAME TO BE

Its a mystery. Bitcoin was launched in 2009 by a person or group of people operating under the name Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin was then adopted by a small clutch of enthusiasts.

Nakamoto dropped off the map as bitcoin began to attract widespread attention. But proponents say that doesnt matter: The currency obeys its own internal logic.

Australian entrepreneur Craig Wright last year stepped forward and claimed to be the founder of bitcoin, only to say days later that he did not have the courage to publish proof that he is.

How did a currency invented out of thin air gain millions of adherents so quickly?

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A look at the digital currency bitcoin used by hackers in ransomware attacks - NEWS.com.au