BTC stands for Bitcoin, which is the first and most widely recognized cryptocurrency. Bitcoin was created by an anonymous person or group of people under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto and was introduced in 2008 through the release of a whitepaper titled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System." It launched in 2009 as open-source software.

Key Features of Bitcoin (BTC):

1. Decentralized: Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network known as the blockchain, which is a distributed ledger maintained by nodes (computers) around the world. This eliminates the need for a central authority, like a bank or government.

2. Finite Supply: There is a maximum supply of 21 million bitcoins. This scarcity is designed to protect against inflation and mimic the properties of precious metals like gold.

3. Mining: Bitcoin transactions are validated by miners who use computational power to solve complex mathematical problems. This process, known as proof-of-work, secures the network and adds blocks of transactions to the blockchain.

4. Pseudonymity: Bitcoin transactions are recorded on the blockchain, but participants are not directly identified by their personal information. Instead, they are represented by wallet addresses.

5. Store of Value: Many view Bitcoin as a store of value, akin to gold, due to its limited supply and ability to hold value over time. Others see it as a speculative investment or a medium of exchange.

6. Volatility: The price of Bitcoin can be highly volatile, with large fluctuations occurring over short periods. This volatility has led some to use Bitcoin for speculative trading.

7. Global and Digital Nature: Bitcoin can be sent or received anywhere in the world without the need for intermediaries, making it a truly borderless currency.

If you are interested in a specific aspect of Bitcoin or need more details, feel free to ask!