$BTC Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency launched in January 2009 by an anonymous creator known as Satoshi Nakamoto. It uses a peer-to-peer network and a proof-of-work system where miners compete to validate transactions, earning newly minted bitcoins. The total supply is capped at 21 million, with the final bitcoin expected around the year 2140. Transactions are recorded on a public blockchain that ensures security and transparency. Bitcoin is often called “digital gold” due to its scarcity and inflation resistance, but its price is highly volatile. It can handle only about 3–7 transactions per second, and mining consumes significant energy, creating environmental concerns.