$BTC

If Bitcoin had not been created, the financial world would be very different. Probably, blockchain technology would not have gained so much attention, delaying the development of cryptocurrencies and decentralization. The traditional banking system would still dominate, with high fees on international transactions and slowness in cross-border payments.

The idea of decentralized digital money would not have a clear reference, and projects like Ethereum, DeFi, or NFTs might not exist or be very different. Governments and central banks would not feel pressure to explore CBDCs (central bank digital currencies), maintaining more centralized systems.

In countries with high inflation or capital controls, people would not have an alternative like Bitcoin to preserve their money, forcing them to rely on physical foreign currencies (like cash dollars). Additionally, privacy in payments would be lower, as BTC offered a pseudonymous option against bank tracking.

Without Bitcoin, a million-dollar industry of exchanges, miners, and blockchain developers would not have emerged. Although the financial system would be more stable, it would lack disruptive innovation. However, it would avoid the volatility and scams associated with cryptocurrencies. In summary, without BTC, the digital economy would be more traditional and less free, but perhaps more predictable.