CNBC's Mary Thompson takes a detailed look at Bitcoin by speaking to the Bitcoin faithful, who believe the Bitcoin open source currency will upend the global financial system. Thompson also speaks to those who believe Bitcoin is tool that empowers criminals and drug barons in the dark online underworld, where people use Bitcoin to buy and sell goods anonymously and with virtually no transaction fee.

It's essential viewing for those who don't already have a deep understanding of Bitcoin, or altcoins in general, shedding a much needed light on the speculative currency and the future of money and digital alternative currency such as Bitcoin.