Bitcoin ($BTC ) is the first decentralized cryptocurrency, introduced in 2009 by an anonymous creator known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Operating on a peer-to-peer network, Bitcoin eliminates the need for intermediaries, enabling secure and transparent transactions via blockchain technology. Its fixed supply of 21 million coins ensures scarcity, driving its value as "digital gold." Bitcoin is widely recognized as a store of value and a medium of exchange, sparking a global movement in decentralized finance. It paved the way for thousands of cryptocurrencies and remains the most influential, serving as the foundation for innovation in blockchain technology and the broader crypto ecosystem.