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A cartoon shows an oversized Bitcoin coin taking giant strides ahead, while much smaller coins representing other currencies run alongside it
Image: DW

Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a decentralized online payment system and the name of a digital currency. Payments by Bitcoin are encrypted. It is possible to send and receive Bitcoin without giving any personally identifying information.

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All Content on this topic

Trumpcoin, a coin bearing the US President's face, is shown next to stacks of crypto coins

How cryptocurrencies are changing global politics

Donald Trump made over $1 billion from crypto in 2025. The currencies are influencing policy and politicians worldwide.
PoliticsJuly 1, 2026
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Digital euro: The plan to Trump-proof the EU's economies

The EU’s central bank is preparing a digital euro to cut dependence on Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay.
BusinessJuly 1, 2026
Head shot of scam victim Daniel Leinard Turyasingura

The human cost of cyber fraud in Uganda

We look at the human cost of cybercrime in Uganda through real stories and the lessons behind the digital threat.
SocietyMay 5, 202602:32 min
DW | Made | 2026 | Sendungslogo englische Version

Resources under pressure

The use of technology can help cut costs but faces ecological limits.
Nature and EnvironmentApril 21, 202626:04 min
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Corruption watchdog reports increase in global graft

The US, UK, Canada and Sweden are slipping into decline, according to Transparency International's latest report.
CorruptionFebruary 10, 2026
People walk in front of a screen displaying Japan's Nikkei share average, as the Tokyo Stock Exchange started trading after Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party elected Sanae Takaichi as the party's new leader on October 4, outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan, October 6, 2025

Why Japan's economic woes spark global market concern

Why the new Japanese PM wants to spend big, and why this is risking a financial shock beyond the Asian country.
BusinessDecember 8, 2025
A golden Bitcoin is seen

Why Pakistan wants to become a regional crypto hub

Pakistan plans to create a regulatory authority, a crypto council, and a Bitcoin reserve.
BusinessOctober 29, 202503:37 min
The Dip Podcastcover

Gold and bitcoin on a tear, German cars in the dumps

The German auto industry is dragging down the country’s economy, but everyone's just pointing fingers.
BusinessOctober 10, 202557:22 min
A generic picture of three bitcoin coins and gold bullion lying on a table

Gold tops $4,000 as demand for safe assets rises

Gold and bitcoin have both hit record highs in recent days. Geopolitical and economic uncertainty are factors.
BusinessOctober 6, 2025
Donald Trump holding a Bitcoin is displayed on a group of servers during The Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, on May 27, 2025

Trump turns crypto king — but at what cost?

Trump made billions from his crypto firm's Nasdaq debut, sparking concerns over presidential power and personal profit.
BusinessSeptember 15, 2025
A graphic representation of a hand showing the victory sign is superimposed on the Made in Germany show logo which appears on a bright red background

Trump island sparks outrage in Albania — MADE

Albania, Sazan, dollars, prosthetics, tariffs, and bitcoins—Trump is everywhere.
BusinessAugust 12, 202526:04 min
Water and green lakeside shores stretch into the distance. In the foreground ist a power plant

US rural communities bearing the brunt of bitcoin mining

A community in New York state fears that a bitcoin mining operation is harming their health, environment and tourism.
ClimateJune 30, 2025
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks on "reciprocal tariffs" at the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on April 2, 2025

100 days of Trump: US recession looms as bold promises burst

As the dust clears on Donald Trump's first 100 days, has he strengthened America's hand or deepened global risks?
BusinessApril 29, 2025
Stock market valuations shown in front of gold bullions

Gold breaks $3,000 amid Donald Trump's trade wars

Gold is considered a safe investment in uncertain times. Is that behind gold's current rally?
BusinessMarch 14, 2025
A photomontage of a collection of Bitcoins with the Trump Tower in New York behind

Bitcoin as a US strategic reserve: Does it make sense?

Donald Trump hosts a crypto summit at the White House on Friday amid plans for a national stockpile of cryptocurrencies.
BusinessMarch 7, 2025
A closeup of Argentine President Javier Milei

Argentina's Milei faces credibility crisis over crypto scam

Argentine President Milei faces his first major political crisis as the "cryptogate" scandal shakes his credibility.
BusinessFebruary 21, 2025
San Salvador's new public library

How realistic is El Salvador's 'economic miracle?'

El Salvador wants to get its economy up and running. Hopes are high, but so are concerns.
BusinessNovember 26, 2024
A picture of bitcoins shown before the Trump tower in New York

Trump hurls bitcoin to new records — will the rally endure?

The president-elect intentionally courted the bitcoin community. But can he make good on his promises?
BusinessNovember 12, 2024
MADE Sendungslogo 02.10.24 ENG

Money rules the world — MADE

Money rules — when it comes to politics and poverty, and also when it goes digital.
BusinessOctober 1, 202426:04 min
Former US President Donald Trump

Donald Trump appeals to crypto investors at conference

Trump said he wants the US to become the "crypto capital of the planet" and a "bitcoin superpower."
BusinessJuly 28, 2024
DW Sendung Shift | Twitterhack

Bitcoin scam: A look back at the Twitter hack

Hackers post fake Bitcoin offers on celebrity accounts. One scam saw success on Twitter in 2020.
Digital WorldJune 28, 202401:05 min
DW Sendung Made in Germany | Bitcoinhalving

What is Bitcoin halving?

Artificial scarcity should make Bitcoin more valuable and more environmentally friendly.
BusinessApril 25, 202402:23 min
DW Sendung Made in Germany

An economy with consequences

In this episode, we look at how shipbreaking is harming people and the environment in Bangladesh.
BusinessApril 23, 202426:05 min
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Manhattan federal court flanked by police officers

Sam Bankman-Fried: The rise and fall of the FTX crypto mogul

Ex-billionaire cryptocurrency wunderkind, Sam Bankman-Fried, has been sentenced for stealing $8 billion from customers.
BusinessMarch 28, 2024
A bitcoin displayed on a keyboard

Bitcoin breaks record: Will the crypto rally sustain?

The price of bitcoin has soared to record highs. But a simultaneous gold rally is sending a mixed message.
BusinessMarch 11, 2024
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele addresses more than 14,000 troops

El Salvador: 'Bitcoin President' claims big election win

President Nayib Bukele declared himself the winner saying he won "more than 85 percent of votes."
PoliticsFebruary 5, 2024
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Us and Them - When generations clash - career

When it comes to careers and jobs, the ideals of parents and their children are often different.
SocietyFebruary 4, 202428:36 min
A picture showing a bitcoin

Germany: Police seize bitcoins worth €2 billion

The haul of 50,000 bitcoins is believed to be the largest seizure to date in the country.
PoliticsJanuary 30, 2024
DW Dokumentationen | Bitcoineros

Bitcoin in Latin America - A digital gold rush begins

European conquistadors once came to Latin America to rob the indigenous population of its gold.
Digital WorldJanuary 16, 202442:35 min
Symbolbild Bitcoin

Bitcoin ETFs permitted by the US SEC in crypto market boost

The SEC announced the exchange traded funds less than 24 hours since denying a statement saying they've been approved.
TechnologyJanuary 10, 2024
A man walks past a cryptocurrency exchange point in the center of Kyiv, Ukraine on 24 January 2022.

Bitcoin surges after US regulator X account hack

The fake announcement of a long-awaited bitcoin exchange-traded fund caused the cryptocurrency to surge.
BusinessJanuary 10, 2024
weapons and rockets on display

How cryptocurrency fueled Hamas' terror attack on Israel

A crackdown on cryptocurrency accounts linked to Hamas has reignited scrutiny of the digital assets.
BusinessOctober 15, 2023
Made Sendung für den 05.09.2023. DigiEuro

Would the digital euro signal the end of cash in Europe?

The digital euro could be introduced by 2026. How would it work and what would it mean for cash?
BusinessSeptember 7, 202302:04 min
Justin Sun wears a blue colored suit and speaks to an audience in Beijing.

Celebrities Lindsey Lohan, Akon charged over crypto sales

Several celebrities including Lindsay Lohan and Akon were accused of illegally promoting the currency.
BusinessMarch 23, 2023
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IMF warns El Salvador of Bitcoin 'risks'

The Central American country became the first worldwide to adopt Bitcoin as a legal currency in 2021.
BusinessFebruary 11, 2023
Bitcoin

How Bitcoins get stolen and how you can keep yours safe

A hacker has stolen 3 billion euro worth of cryptocurrency. What precautions can crypto users take? 
LifestyleJanuary 6, 202303:32 min
The Shift show logo is superimposed on an image showing an angular glass or plastic tube on a circuit board

Shift - Living in the Digital Age

Online Porn, Mixed Reality, Twitter and Crypto Theft: the topics that have moved the tech world.
Digital WorldJanuary 6, 202312:36 min
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Platzeeland – a bust in virtual real estate

Platzeeland was supposed to be Guatemala's showcase project. But a lot of things went wrong.
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Collapsed crypto platform FTX probes $500 million hack

FTX's new CEO said the platform was hit by "unauthorized transactions," fueling rumors of a hacking or insider theft.
BusinessNovember 12, 2022
A smartphone displaying the FTX logo on its screen

Crypto exchange giant FTX collapses, CEO resigns

FTX said it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings after a rescue deal by a larger rival failed.
BusinessNovember 12, 2022
Living Planet 210318 Podcast Picture Teaser

Climate troubles for scotch, water & Bitcoin (rebroadcast)

As the climate heats up, we hear about the dry future predicted for one of Scotland's best known exports. We travel to East Africa, where Somalians — desperate for climate aid — are taking the salt out of seawater to solve worrisome water shortages. We also ask how — indeed, if — clean Bitcoin could fix the currency's carbon footprint, and learn how to zap the methane out of cow dung.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 1, 202229:59 min
Bitcoin coins on an Indian flag

India's crypto enthusiasts wary after prices plummet

Investing in cryptocurrencies is now a big trend in India. But the recent crash from lofty highs has worried investors.
BusinessJuly 6, 2022
Maastricht University in the Netherlands

Dutch university wins big after Bitcoin ransom returned

Maastricht University has doubled its money thanks to a ransomware attack three years ago.
CrimeJuly 2, 2022
Picture of a hand holding a bitcoin coin over us dollars

Crypto investors brace for painful period

Bitcoin's crash is part of a wider market reshuffling. And with inflation surging, it may not bounce back any time soon.
BusinessJune 20, 2022
DW Sendung Made in Germany 14.06.2022

Sanctions loophole

Could cryptocurrencies offer Russia a loophole to bypass economic sanctions?
BusinessJune 14, 202202:23 min
Bitcoin

Turkey gripped by cryptocurrency frenzy

Cryptocurrency ownership is soaring as Turks seek ways to preserve their savings amid high inflation and a weak lira.
BusinessMay 16, 2022
A hand holding Bitcoin coin over us dollars

What caused the lastest cryptocrash?

Cryptocurrency investors fled from the risky investment this week after Terra, a trusted coin, took a nosedive.
BusinessMay 13, 2022
Bitcoin symbol on a coin

Bitcoin boom spikes amid perceived risks

Central African Republic has made Bitcoin legal tender. Experts warn that nations that adopt cryptos risk instability.
BusinessMay 5, 2022
Nigeria Wahlgesetz

AfricaLink on Air - 28 April 2022

Nigeria senate vote to stop ransom to kidnappers +++ The Central African Republic adopts bitcoin as legal tender
April 28, 202230:00 min
DW Eco Africa (Key Visual Composite)

Eco Africa — The Environment Magazine

On this Eco Africa: Kenya's wildlife census and a second-hand market full of clothes waiting for new owners in Cairo.
Nature and EnvironmentApril 1, 202226:06 min