$SOL Bitcoin (BTC) is a decentralized digital currency created in 2009 by an anonymous person or group using the name Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a peer-to-peer network, allowing users to send and receive payments without relying on a central authority like a bank. Bitcoin transactions are verified through a process called mining and recorded on a public ledger known as the blockchain. Its limited supply—capped at 21 million coins—makes it scarce and has contributed to its value over time. Bitcoin is often seen as a store of value, digital gold, and a hedge against inflation, though its price is highly volatile.