Join our vibrant reading discussion group as we dive into Mastering Bitcoin, the ultimate technical guide to understanding Bitcoin. Perfect for those eager to deeply grasp the intricacies of Bitcoin, this group combines a fun and supportive environment for learning complex technical concepts.

Each week, we'll explore a different pair of chapters, enriching your self-reading experience. We'll provide thought-provoking questions ahead of each session to guide your reading and fuel engaging discussions. Our meetups are not just about discussing the book; they're about building a community of Bitcoin enthusiasts and builders.

Discover, discuss, and delve into the world of Bitcoin with us. Your journey towards mastering Bitcoin starts here!

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How It Works

We recommend that you read up on the event format before you attend.

This Session

In this session, somebody will lead us through a discussion of:

• Chapter 11: The Blockchain
• Chapter 12: Mining & Consensus

Study Questions

These questions are provided to help guide your thinking as read the material. We'll try to answer these together when we meet to discuss the chapter.

Chapter 11: The Blockchain

• What is a blockchain and how does it function in the context of Bitcoin?
• How are blocks linked within the blockchain, and what role do cryptographic hashes play in this process?
• Describe the structure of a block in the Bitcoin blockchain, including its main components.
• What information is contained in the block header, and why is each field important?
• Explain the significance of the genesis block and its unique properties.
• How does the blockchain ensure security and immutability of transaction history?
• What is a Merkle tree, and how does it facilitate transaction verification in the blockchain?
• How do blockchain forks occur, and what happens during a fork?
• Discuss the concept of block height and its implications for identifying blocks.
• What are test blockchains like testnet, signet, and regtest, and why are they important for Bitcoin development?

Chapter 12: Mining & Consensus

• What is the primary purpose of Bitcoin mining, beyond the creation of new bitcoins?
• How does mining contribute to the security and consensus of the Bitcoin network?
• Explain the concept of proof-of-work and its role in mining.
• What are the components of the coinbase transaction, and how does it differ from regular transactions?
• Describe the process by which miners add new blocks to the blockchain.
• How does the block reward change over time, and what is the significance of the halving events?
• What happens to the block reward and miner incentives after all bitcoins have been mined?
• Discuss the importance of transaction fees in the long-term sustainability of the mining process.
• How does decentralized consensus work in the Bitcoin network?
• What criteria must a Bitcoin transaction meet to be considered valid and included in a block?