Verify the Record
How Does This Apply To Real Life?
Bitcoin's public record system isn't just a technical curiosity. It solves real-world problems by removing the need to trust institutions.
The pattern: Bitcoin removes the need for a trusted middleman for your records or your money.
How Bitcoin Removes the Middleman
An interactive experiment to feel the difference between a centralized and decentralized system.
Traditional Banking System
Bitcoin System
🎯 Feel the difference?
Traditional
SampleBank Controls your access Controls the "truth"
Bitcoin
You Check directly Get the same truth from 1000s of sources
Interactive Stress Test
What if SampleBank's website goes down?
What if blockchain.com goes down?
💡 The revelation: Your access to Bitcoin doesn't depend on any single company.
This is what "removing the middleman" actually means - you can verify everything yourself.
Wait - what are these 15,847 computers?
Let's break down the backbone of the Bitcoin network: the nodes.
Technical Explanation: What is a Node?
These are called "nodes" — computers around the world that voluntarily participate in the network. Each one:
- Stores a complete copy of all Bitcoin transactions ever made (the "blockchain").
- Independently verifies every new transaction against the network's rules.
- Is run by individuals and organizations - anyone can set one up without permission.
- Is spread across different countries, companies, and people, making it resilient.
Who Runs Them?
Why does 15,847 matter vs. just 1?
Scenario: Checking if you received $100.
With 1 Computer (A Bank)
- SampleBank's server says: "You received $100"
- You have to trust SampleBank is telling the truth and their single database is correct.
- If SampleBank lies, makes a mistake, or their server is down, you are stuck.
With 15,847 Computers (Bitcoin)
- 15,847 independent sources all say: "This address received $100."
- For you to be misled, thousands of separate entities would all have to coordinate the exact same lie at the same time.
- The probability of this is virtually impossible. This is trust by math, not by policy.
The Technical Reality
When you check a Bitcoin balance, you're not trusting one company's private spreadsheet. You're getting the same answer from thousands of independent witnesses who don't know or coordinate with each other. It's like asking 15,847 strangers "Did John pay Mary $100?" and they ALL say "Yes, at 2:34 PM on Tuesday."
SIMULATION: Trust by Math vs. Trust by Policy
An interactive demonstration of the two different ways to determine truth.
Trust by Policy (Banking)
You ask the central authority: "Did I receive $100?"
Trust by Math (Bitcoin)
You ask independent computers the same question.
1. Choose a Transaction to Investigate
Option A: The First Bitcoin Transaction
Look at the "Genesis Block" transaction.
View on Blockchain.com2. Look It Up on Different Websites
Search for the same Transaction ID on two different, competing websites:
3. What to Verify
As you compare, you'll notice a few things. See if you can confirm them.
Both websites show identical information.
The data isn't just similar, it's exactly the same.
Same amounts, addresses, and timestamp.
Every detail of the transaction matches perfectly.
Neither website "owns" this data.
They are both just displaying data from the public Bitcoin network.
You can verify this without asking for permission.
It's a public system, open to anyone.
You just proved: A shared, permanent record exists that no single company controls.
This shared record system IS Bitcoin. Now, let's see how it works.