$BTC

refers to Bitcoin, the world's first and most valuable cryptocurrency by market capitalization. Launched in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin operates on a decentralized, peer-to-peer network without a central authority. It is often seen as "digital gold" due to its fixed supply of 21 million coins and its role as a hedge against inflation. Bitcoin's price is highly volatile and influenced by factors such as macroeconomic trends, regulatory news, and adoption rates. Investors watch Bitcoin closely as a bellwether for the broader crypto market and a potential store of value in the digital age.