$BTC Bitcoin (BTC) is a decentralized digital currency created in 2009 by an anonymous entity using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a peer-to-peer network, allowing transactions without intermediaries like banks, and is secured by cryptography. Here's a concise overview based on current information and recent developments:

Key Features

Decentralized: No central authority controls Bitcoin. It runs on a blockchain, a distributed ledger maintained by nodes (computers) worldwide.

Fixed Supply: Only 21 million BTC will ever exist, with roughly 19.7 million currently in circulation. The last Bitcoin is expected to be mined around 2140.

Use Cases: Bitcoin is used as a store of value (often called "digital gold"), a medium of exchange, and a hedge against inflation or economic uncertainty.

Security: Transactions are verified by miners through proof-of-work, making the network resistant to tampering.

Recent Price and Market Trends (as of May 4, 2025)

Price: Bitcoin is trading around $94,000–$97,000, close to its all-time high of $100,000 (reached in February 2025). It surged 30% from its early April low, driven by institutional demand and market optimism.

Market Cap: Approximately $1.835 trillion, representing 63.43% of the total crypto market.

Volatility: Weekly volatility hit a 563-day low on April 30, suggesting market stability.

Bullish Sentiment: Analysts predict potential new highs, with price targets of $103,000–$120,000 by Q2 2025 and up to $200,000 by year-end, fueled by institutional inflows and macroeconomic factors like a weakening US dollar.

Institutional Adoption

ETFs: US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $4.2 billion in inflows over the past two weeks, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) alone recording $1.5 billion last week.

Corporate Holdings:

MicroStrategy (Strategy) holds 553,555 BTC, valued at over $52 billion, after a $1.42 billion purchase last week.

Japanese firm Metaplanet owns 4,855 BTC ($414 million), aiming for 21,000 BTC by 2026.

Always do your own research.