$BTC **Bitcoin (BTC)** is the world’s first and most valuable cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by the pseudonymous **Satoshi Nakamoto**. It operates on a decentralized **peer-to-peer blockchain network**, eliminating the need for intermediaries like banks. Bitcoin’s core innovation is its **proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism**, which ensures security and immutability through mining—a process where powerful computers solve complex mathematical problems to validate transactions and earn new BTC as rewards. With a **fixed supply cap of 21 million coins**, Bitcoin is often called "digital gold" due to its scarcity and store-of-value properties. Its price is highly volatile, influenced by factors like institutional adoption, regulatory developments, macroeconomic trends, and market speculation. Major companies and investment funds now hold Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, while countries like **El Salvador** have adopted it as legal tender. Despite criticisms over energy consumption and scalability, Bitcoin remains the dominant cryptocurrency, setting the foundation for the broader blockchain ecosystem. Its decentralized nature, censorship resistance, and global accessibility continue to drive its adoption as both an investment asset and a revolutionary form of money.