$BTC

BTC, an abbreviation for Bitcoin (symbol: ₿), stands as the original and most prominent decentralized digital currency. Conceptualized in a 2008 white paper by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, it officially launched in 2009. Bitcoin operates on a peer-to-peer network, enabling direct transactions between users without the need for intermediaries like banks.

A cornerstone of Bitcoin's functionality is the blockchain, a public and distributed ledger that records all transactions. This technology ensures transparency and immutability through cryptographic hashing, making it extremely difficult to tamper with past records. Transactions are validated and added to the blockchain by network participants called miners, who solve complex computational puzzles using specialized hardware. This process, known as mining, also introduces new Bitcoins into circulation.

Bitcoin has a finite supply of 21 million coins, a fundamental characteristic designed to create scarcity. Approximately 19.86 million BTC have already been mined as of May 2025. The rate at which new Bitcoins are created is programmatically reduced over time through events called "halvings," which occur roughly every four years. This decreasing supply, coupled with increasing adoption, contributes to Bitcoin's potential as a store of value.

Key features of Bitcoin include its decentralization, meaning no single entity controls it; its transparency, as all transactions are publicly viewable on the blockchain (though user identities remain pseudonymous); and its security, ensured by cryptographic principles and the distributed nature of the network. While initially conceived as a digital peer-to-peer payment system, Bitcoin has evolved into a multifaceted asset, serving as a medium of exchange, a store of value, and an investment vehicle, albeit one known for its price volatility.