Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Bitcoin" in Italian language version.
A meaningful comparison would first require a uniform definition of the term ‘transaction’. Bitcoin transactions can contain hidden semantics that may not be immediately apparent. For instance, a single transaction in Bitcoin may be bundling together hundreds of smaller payments to individual addresses. It may also correspond to a settlement of thousands of off-chain transactions that took place on second-layer solutions (e.g. opening and closing channels in the Lightning Network). It could also potentially represent millions of timestamped data points using open protocols such as OpenTimestamps. Electronic payments are typically enabled through closed book-entry systems where customer accounts are centrally maintained by operators such as commercial banks or credit card companies. These institutions act as gatekeepers that exercise discretionary control over the payment network: this includes access policies (who can use the service), risk procedures and compliance (what actions can be done), and account management (what assets and transactions are allowed). As a result, users may be denied access, have accounts closed, or see transactions flagged and reversed.
In contrast, Bitcoin is a permissionless system that operates without a central authority. Users are free to use the network and transact without prior approval by others. Like physical cash, users can transact pseudonymously and remain in full control of their own funds (self-custody). No single actor can unilaterally seize assets, reverse transactions, or change the ruleset. The Bitcoin network also operates 24/7 around the clock and is cross-jurisdictional by nature. These properties do come at significant costs, however – a large network with massive redundancies, scalability and performance constraints, slow coordination and decision-making, and, above all, an expensive and energy-intensive consensus mechanism»