Bitcoin is a **digital currency** (cryptocurrency) that operates on a decentralized network called **blockchain**. It allows peer-to-peer transactions without banks or governments, using cryptography for security. Created in 2009 by an anonymous person (or group) named **Satoshi Nakamoto**, Bitcoin can be used for payments, investments, or as a store of value.
**Key Features:**
- Decentralized (no central authority)
- Limited supply (only 21 million will ever exist)
- Secure & transparent (verified by blockchain)
