Bitcoin’s never been so famous. Paul Solman, the PBS NewsHour economics correspondent, just gave it his “Common Sense” treatment, explaining the ins and outs of the cryptocurrency with help from a few bitcoiners, economic historian Richard Sylla, and the great animation by Duncan Elms. 

On the central question of bitcoin’s vulnerability, Solman repeats the promises of bitcoin’s believers—that the currency is impervious to attack, and while there is a brief reference to the Silk Road bust, there is no mention of the NSA or the FBI‘s attempts to infiltrate anonymous networks. On the question of its value, meanwhile, Solman emphasizes its use as a payment system for legitimate things, including remittances to families back home, but he doesn’t address its uses in financial speculation. Still, it’s a sober overview of where bitcoin is now, and a reminder that the “outlier” currency isn’t only maturing but is reaching the mainstream.

Speaking of knowing what things are really worth, also see Solman’s recent dive into the virtues and vices of the sort of internships where you’d be lucky to get a single coin in any currency.

Also see

Bitcoin Faces Its Critics

The Silk Road Is Shut Down, and the Owner Is in Custody

One Third of Kenyans Now Have a Bitcoin Wallet