It should be noted, that thus far $6.8 billion of bitcoins have been released. This peer-to-peer system is shrouded in mistary — its creator is still unknown. According to official data, the author of bitcoin is Satoshi Nakamoto, it is not certain who exactly owns the pseudonym — a particular person or a group of persons.

Craig Wright, a businessman from Australia, has recently stated that he is the mysterious creator of this cryptocurrency. The man promised to provide the technical evidence of his involvement in bitcoin's creation, however there was nothing more than a big statement. Later the Australian admitted that he hadn't had the courage to present the evidence.

Let us remember that the first mention of bitcoin dates back to 2009: that's when a certain Satoshi Nakamoto has transferred 10 bitcoins to the programmer Halu Finney for the first time.

In the picture: Craig Wright.

In the picture: Dorian Nakamoto is one more unreal creator of bitcoin.

In november 2013, the value of bitcoin achieved greater heights — the value of a unit of the cryptocurrency amounted to a record $1137. In May 2015, bitcoin fell in price, the value of a unit of the currency dropped to $230. Today one bitcoin can cost about $440.

It should be pointed out, transactions with the cryptocurrency are based on blockchain technology. The World Banks take great interest in it, as the technology can significantly improve the quality of these financial enterprises' performance.

In the Russian Federation all virtual currencies, including bitcoins, are considered unreal and are not allowed at the legislative level. Representatives of the Bank of Russia believe that cryptocurrencies relate to very suspicious transactions, for example, with laundering and financing of criminal activities.

Europe feels differently about bitcoins. So two years ago the Bitcoin boulevard was opened in the Hague. In all storefronts located on this street you can use cryptocurrencies to pay.

In 2015 there are many more shops, cafes and other storefronts in the world where bitcoins are accepted for payment. The total number of such places exceeded the figure of one hundred thousand. Even eBay is a platform that encourages payment by cryptocurrency (PayPal operates with this peer-t-peer payment system). You can also buy Microsoft and Dell products with a help of bitcoins.

The Japanese stock exchange Mt Gox, where bitcoins participated in 50% of transactions, stopped working in 2014. The stock exchange closed after the mysterious missing of $500 mln of the users' money.

The bravest citizens got used to sell phohibited goods. The most striking example of illegal business with the cryptocurrency's participation is Internet sales of drugs. The infamous Silk Road's founder, where the prohibited product was being sold, went to prison in 2013. Ross William was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

In the picture: the convict's photo (the picture was taken during the judicial process).

In April 2016, the volatility of bitcoin was below the volatility of gold for 28 consecutive days. Once its volatility fell below the volatility of one of the most reliable currencies in the planet - the Japanese yen.

The well-known economist Nouriel Roubini estimated cryptocurrencies' reliability and noted that bitcoin was a typical pyramid scheme and an assistant of illegal transactions. The financier considers that the currency can not be called secure, estimating it in terms of the probability of hacker attacks.