$BTC , also known as Bitcoin, is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency. It was created by an anonymous person or group of people using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 and released as open-source software in 2009. Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network using blockchain technology, which allows peer-to-peer transactions without the need for a central authority like a bank.

Bitcoin is often seen as a store of value and a hedge against inflation. It's traded on various cryptocurrency exchanges, and its price is highly volatile, which attracts both investors and traders. The total supply of Bitcoin is capped at 21 million, making it scarce and potentially more valuable over time