Bitcoin ( $BTC ) is a decentralized digital currency created in 2009 by an anonymous entity known as Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a peer-to-peer network, enabling users to send and receive payments without the need for intermediaries like banks. Bitcoin transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain. Its limited supply of 21 million coins and the use of proof-of-work consensus make it resistant to inflation. Bitcoin has gained widespread attention as both a store of value and a speculative asset, influencing the development of other cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies.