Bitcoin (BTC) is the first decentralized cryptocurrency, introduced in 2008 by an unknown person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The concept was outlined in a white paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System”. It proposed a digital currency without a central authority, relying on blockchain technology to secure transactions.
On January 3, 2009, Nakamoto mined the first block of the Bitcoin blockchain, known as the Genesis Block. The first recorded transaction occurred shortly after, when Nakamoto sent 10 BTC to developer Hal Finney. In 2010, Bitcoin gained real-world value when Laszlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas for 10,000 BTC, marking the first commercial transaction using Bitcoin.
Bitcoin’s price rose steadily, reaching $1,000 in 2013 and nearly $20,000 in 2017, gaining mainstream attention. However, it also faced setbacks, including exchange hacks like Mt. Gox in 2014 and market crashes. In 2021, Bitcoin hit an all-time high above $64,000, and El Salvador adopted it as legal tender.
Bitcoin’s value fluctuates, but interest remains strong due to its decentralized nature, limited supply, and potential as “digital gold.” As of 2025, it continues to evolve, influencing the future of finance and blockchain technology.