$BTC Bitcoin ($BTC), launched in 2009 by pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto, is the first decentralized cryptocurrency. Operating on a blockchain, it enables peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries. With a capped supply of 21 million coins, Bitcoin is often dubbed "digital gold" due to its scarcity and store-of-value potential. Its price is influenced by factors like institutional adoption, regulatory shifts, macroeconomic trends, and technological advancements. While praised for financial sovereignty and inflation resistance, Bitcoin faces criticism for volatility, energy-intensive mining, and regulatory scrutiny. Despite challenges, it remains a flagship crypto asset, driving global conversations about the future of money, decentralization, and digital finance.