$BTC Bitcoin, created in 2009 by an anonymous entity known as Satoshi Nakamoto, is a decentralized cryptocurrency that operates without a central authority or traditional banks. It uses a distributed ledger technology called blockchain, which records all transactions publicly and transparently on a network of computers. The total supply of bitcoins is limited to 21 million, giving it a characteristic of digital scarcity. Its value fluctuates significantly due to market supply and demand, investor sentiment, and regulatory factors. Bitcoin is used as a form of digital value and as a speculative investment asset.