Alyssa Hertig

Alyssa Hertig

A contributing tech reporter at CoinDesk, Alyssa Hertig is a programmer and journalist specializing in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network. Over the years, her work has also appeared in VICE, Mic and Reason. She's currently writing a book exploring the ins and outs of Bitcoin governance. Alyssa owns some BTC.

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(Dall-E/CoinDesk)
Open Source: What It Is and Why It's Critical for Bitcoin and Crypto
Cryptocurrencies rely on open-source code not only to function but also to build trust and transparency.
(Dall-E/CoinDesk)
Image: Shutterstock
Bitcoin Halving, Explained
The last Bitcoin halving took place on May 11, 2020, and the next bitcoin halving will likely occur in April 2024. But what is the halving, how does it affect the price, and w...
Image: Shutterstock
Ethereum (Shutterstock)
What Is Ethereum?
Ethereum is the world’s second-largest crypto project by market capitalization and was the first to introduce smart contract functionality to the industry.
Ethereum (Shutterstock)
A U.S. dollar coin balances on top of rocks
What Is a Stablecoin?
With PayPal's announcement that they are creating a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, PayPal USD (PYUSD), many are wondering about this type of cryptocurrency and how it functio...
A U.S. dollar coin balances on top of rocks
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What Is Proof-of-Stake?
Proof-of-stake is a method of maintaining integrity in a blockchain, ensuring users of a cryptocurrency can’t mint coins they didn’t earn.
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Hodlonaut sued Craig Wright in Norway after Wright sent a legal notice in the U.K. Members of the Bitcoin ecosystem say the case could be important for the network's future. (Trevor Jones for CoinDesk)
Bitcoin's Health May Hinge on a Legal Feud in Norway
Some developers say a lawsuit from pseudonymous bitcoiner Hodlonaut against Craig Wright, who claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto, is vital to the cryptocurrency’s growth.
Hodlonaut sued Craig Wright in Norway after Wright sent a legal notice in the U.K. Members of the Bitcoin ecosystem say the case could be important for the network's future. (Trevor Jones for CoinDesk)
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What Is DeFi?
Decentralized finance (DeFi) applications aim to cut out the middlemen of our everyday finances.
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Still in alpha, Teleport could help preserve Bitcoin transaction privacy. (BOTCookie/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Now You Can Try 'Teleporting' Bitcoin for Greater Privacy With CoinSwaps
The alpha release of Teleport implements the CoinSwap privacy technique in an effort to improve bitcoin privacy by making transactions "invisible."
Still in alpha, Teleport could help preserve Bitcoin transaction privacy. (BOTCookie/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
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JoinMarket Is About to Make Bitcoin Privacy More User-Friendly
Developers hope the forthcoming JoinMarket UI will give people an easier way to use CoinJoins to keep their Bitcoin transactions private.
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Crypto Donations to Tor Surged 841% in 2021
Of the nearly $1 million raised by the non-profit, 58% of the donations were in cryptocurrencies.
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