$BTC

Digital currency secured through encryption, used outside the jurisdiction of a central authority. This currency originated in 2009 by a mysterious person who called himself Satoshi Nakamoto, and it was primarily launched to be used in payment transactions that are not subject to government oversight, transaction fees, or delays in transfers - unlike traditional "fiat" (paper) currencies.

Back in 2010, the price of Bitcoin was about 0.003 cents per coin. In October 2017, the price of the currency rose to 4200 US dollars - although this value has seen fluctuations, with swinging and repetitive daily movements. At this time, hundreds of other virtual currencies emerged, each with its own advantages and applications. However, few of these currencies hold significant value, yet Bitcoin has competitors in the form of Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash, along with Litecoin to a lesser extent.