What does bitcoin mining really mean?
Could you elaborate on the concept of bitcoin mining in simple terms? As a layperson interested in cryptocurrency, I've often heard the term 'mining' used in relation to bitcoin, but I'm not entirely clear on what it actually entails. Is it a physical process? Does it involve specialized equipment? And how does it contribute to the generation of new bitcoins? Your explanation would be greatly appreciated in demystifying this aspect of cryptocurrency mining.