# Public Records and Transparency

<figure><img src="/files/vBuL4OdFnypvJxSXhflJ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The public can see that someone is sending an amount to someone else, but without information linking the transaction to anyone.

\- Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin Whitepaper

The Bitcoin network operates on a principle of **public transparency.** However, the identities of the individuals involved in these transactions are not disclosed.

To further obscure transaction details, users can break payments into **multiple outputs or conduct several transactions**. This method not only enhances privacy but also allows users to maintain a secure online presence.

The Bitcoin ledger functions **similarly to stock exchanges**, which keep private records of trades while releasing only sanitized data regarding the price and size of transactions.

This dual-layer approach to record-keeping ensures that **while the public can see the flow of funds, the identities of the parties involved remain confidential.**


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