- Bitcoin's energy cost - 6 Minute English

Improve your English vocabulary and listening in just six minutes! In this programme, Sam and Neil talk about the use of the virtual currency, bitcoin. It’s all very well for billionaires like Elon Musk, but what about the ordinary, average person – is bitcoin a good option for them? We discuss the topic and teach you vocabulary.

This week's question
What year was bitcoin first released?
a) 2009
b) 2015
c) 2019
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
get-rich-quick
describes a plan to make a lot of money in a short time, often with little effort or risk

risk-averse
unwilling to take risks or wanting to avoid risks as much as possible

dip a toe into (something)
try doing something slowly and carefully to test whether it will be successful and whether you will like it

pension plan
financial plan funded by contributions from your salary to save money for when you retire

put things into perspective
find the true, objective value or importance of something by comparing it to something similar

on standby
ready to work or be used when needed

This episode of 6 Minute English was originally published as a web exclusive on bbclearningenglish.com. To download the audio and a transcript, go to:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-210927

[Cover: Getty Images]

More 6 Minute English episodes:
Inside the world of Jeff Bezos
https://youtu.be/_StSUVR6_ok

How to disagree better
https://youtu.be/rWHGKGS7zSc​​

Meditation and your brain
https://youtu.be/sm6EtQg-hxw​​

No more bosses
https://youtu.be/ktgDXNML2uI​​

How can we make the web a better place?
https://youtu.be/wMQjmpVgor8​​

Coronavirus vs other pandemics
https://youtu.be/kjVd228S-yQ​​

#bbclearningenglish #learnenglish #bitcoin #cryptocurrency #elonmusk