#BitcoinPolicyShift What is Cryptocurrency?

At its core, cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual form of currency that uses cryptography for security. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments (like the US dollar or the Euro), cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized networks based on blockchain technology—a distributed ledger enforced by a network of computers, known as nodes.

The first and most well-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was created in 2009 by an anonymous entity known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin was designed as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system, allowing for secure and anonymous transactions without the need for a central authority, such as a bank or government. Since then, thousands of other cryptocurrencies have been developed, each with its unique features and use cases.