Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency, created in 2009 by an unknown person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments, Bitcoin operates on a technology called blockchain, a distributed public ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. This peer-to-peer system allows for secure and transparent transactions without the need for intermediaries like banks. Bitcoin's limited supply of 21 million coins and its increasing adoption have contributed to its volatile yet significant value in the global financial landscape.