What is a bitcoin mining machine?
As a curious investor in the world of cryptocurrency, I'm interested in understanding the backbone of the Bitcoin network. Could you elaborate on what a Bitcoin mining machine is? Specifically, how does it contribute to the validation of transactions and the security of the Bitcoin blockchain? Is it a specialized computer hardware designed for this purpose, and if so, what makes it different from a traditional computer? I'm eager to grasp the technicalities behind Bitcoin mining and how these machines play a crucial role in the entire ecosystem.