The Bitcoin network is a decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) payment system that operates on blockchain technology, without relying on banks or third-party institutions. Its core features include:

1. **Blockchain Ledger**: All transactions are publicly recorded on a distributed ledger, verified by global nodes, ensuring transparency and tamper-resistance.

2. **Proof of Work (PoW)**: Miners compete with computational power to package transactions and maintain network security, earning BTC rewards (6.25 BTC per block, after the 2024 halving).

3. **Decentralization**: Maintained by tens of thousands of nodes worldwide, with no single controlling entity, resistant to censorship and downtime.

4. **21 Million Limit**: A hard cap on total supply enforced by algorithm, giving it scarcity.

The Bitcoin network is both a digital currency system and a value storage experiment, redefining trust and financial autonomy.