BEAM is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that leverages the innovative Mimblewimble protocol, established in June 2018. Mimblewimble is renowned for its ability to combine confidential transactions with scalability. BEAM ensures user privacy, allowing individuals full control over their transaction data and adhering to applicable privacy laws. It achieves confidentiality without bloating the blockchain, thus maintaining performance and scalability. The blockchain is optimised to stay compact by employing a feature called cut-through. BEAM operates without a trusted setup and uses the Equihash proof-of-work algorithm for mining. Unique selling points include a capped supply of approximately 250 million coins, no addresses stored on the blockchain, and support for various transaction types such as escrow and atomic swaps. Developed in C++, BEAM had no premine or ICO but was financed through a treasury from block rewards during its initial five years.