$BTC, or Bitcoin, is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a decentralized blockchain network, enabling peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries like banks. With a fixed supply of 21 million coins, Bitcoin is often called digital gold due to its scarcity and role as a store of value. It's used for trading, investing, and increasingly as a hedge against inflation. Bitcoin’s price is highly volatile but has seen long-term growth, driving both retail and institutional interest. $BTC represents the foundation of the crypto ecosystem and a revolution in digital finance.