Bitcoin or bitcoin - Why the letter matters

Have you noticed, for instance, in our article “What is bitcoin”, that Bitcoin is sometimes spelled with a capital “B” and other times with a lowercase “b”? It might seem like a mistake, but in reality, it reflects an important distinction when discussing what Bitcoin actually is.

Bitcoin with a capital “B” refers to the entire system, the protocol that Bitcoin is based on, and the technology behind the currency. This includes the network of computers that keeps the system running. Bitcoin (with a capital “B”) is, therefore, the entirety - the infrastructure that makes it possible for bitcoin with a lowercase “b” to exist.

When bitcoin is written with a lowercase “b,” it refers to the unit of the currency bitcoin. These are the bitcoins you can buy, sell, send, and save. So, if you’re writing about purchasing bitcoin, you use the lowercase, because you’re buying the currency, not the system.

But does it really matter?

Yes, understanding the difference can be important. Distinguishing between the technology and the currency makes it easier to grasp what you’re actually talking about. Are you discussing the infrastructure and the network? Then you should use a capital “B.” If you’re talking about the currency, use the lowercase.

Moreover, the world of Bitcoin is already complex enough. By establishing a clear standard, there are rules that help both beginners and seasoned users better understand the subject.

You can think of it like the Internet and email. The Internet is the infrastructure that allows you to send and receive email. Similarly, Bitcoin enables you to send and receive bitcoin.

The difference between the two terms might seem trivial, but it’s key to understanding the Bitcoin ecosystem. The next time you read or discuss the topic, you can now be sure what is meant - and use the terms correctly yourself. After all, it’s about more than just spelling; it’s about understanding how Bitcoin, and bitcoin, work.