$BTC refers to *Bitcoin*, the first and most well-known cryptocurrency. The "" symbol in front of *BTC* signifies its value as a tradable asset or a financial instrument, similar to how we would use "" for fiat currencies like the U.S. Dollar.

Key Things to Know About *BTC*:

1. *Bitcoin (BTC)*:

- *Bitcoin (BTC)* was created by an anonymous person (or group of people) under the pseudonym *Satoshi Nakamoto* and was introduced in 2008 via a whitepaper titled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System."

- *BTC* operates on a decentralized *blockchain* network, meaning it is not controlled by any central authority like a bank or government. Transactions are verified by network nodes using cryptography and recorded on the blockchain.

- *Bitcoin* is often referred to as "digital gold" due to its scarcity (only 21 million BTC will ever be mined) and its role as a store of value.

2. *Price and Trading*:

- *BTC* is traded on numerous cryptocurrency exchanges (e.g., Binance, Coinbase, Kraken). Its price is highly volatile, often driven by market demand, adoption, news, and investor sentiment.

- The price of *BTC* can fluctuate significantly within short periods, and it is considered one of the most volatile assets in the world.