Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency, without a central bank or single administrator, that can be sent from user to user on the peer-to-peer bitcoin network without the need for intermediaries.

Bitcoin operates free of any central control or the oversight of banks or governments. Instead it relies on peer-to-peer software and cryptography. A public ledger records all bitcoin transactions and copies are held on servers around the world.

The stock market is a place where shares of pubic listed companies are traded.

A stock exchange facilitates stock brokers to trade company stocks and other securities. A stock may be bought or sold only if it is listed on an exchange. Thus, it is the meeting place of the stock buyers and sellers. The stock market works through a network of exchanges.

Oil markets are composed of speculators who are betting on price moves, and hedgers who are limiting risk in the production or consumption of oil.

Oil supply is controlled somewhat by a cartel of oil-producing nations called OPEC. When inventories of crude oil and oil products rise, or demand goes down, the price falls. These moves affect the price of crude oil that has been purchased or sold by oil companies on a differential basis.