Bitcoin (BTC) is the world's first decentralized digital currency, created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a peer-to-peer network, allowing users to transact directly without intermediaries like banks. Each transaction is recorded on a public ledger called a blockchain, secured through a process known as mining.
A key feature of Bitcoin is its limited supply of 21 million coins, which contributes to its perception as "digital gold" and a hedge against inflation. While initially envisioned as a daily payment system, Bitcoin has primarily evolved into a significant store of value and a highly traded asset.