$BTCBitcoin (BTC) is a decentralized digital currency created in 2009 by an anonymous person or group of people known as Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates without a central authority, such as a government or bank, and is based on a peer-to-peer network that allows for direct transactions between users. Bitcoin transactions are secured through cryptography and recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain, which ensures transparency and prevents fraud.

The key feature of Bitcoin is its limited supply; there will only ever be 21 million Bitcoins, making it a deflationary asset. This scarcity has led to its comparison with gold, often referred to as "digital gold." Over the years, Bitcoin has gained recognition as both a store of value and a medium of exchange, with an increasing number of merchants and companies accepting it as payment.