#TradersLeague BTC is the widely recognized abbreviation for Bitcoin.
Bitcoin is the world's first decentralized cryptocurrency, invented in 2008 by an unknown entity using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Here's a breakdown of what that means:
* Decentralized: Unlike traditional currencies controlled by central banks or governments, Bitcoin operates on a peer-to-peer network. This means there's no single authority controlling it. Instead, thousands of computers (nodes) around the world maintain a public record of all transactions.
* Cryptocurrency: It's a digital currency that uses cryptography (advanced coding) to secure transactions and control the creation of new units. This makes it highly secure and difficult to counterfeit.
* Digital Asset: Bitcoin exists solely online; there are no physical bitcoins. Transactions are recorded on a public distributed ledger called a blockchain, which ensures transparency and prevents double-spending.
* Mining: New bitcoins are created through a process called "mining," where powerful computers solve complex mathematical problems to validate transactions and add them to the blockchain. Miners who successfully do this are rewarded with new bitcoins.
* Limited Supply: There will only ever be a maximum of 21 million bitcoins in existence, which contributes to its scarcity and is often compared to "digital gold."
* Usage: Bitcoin can be bought and sold on cryptocurrency exchanges, stored in digital wallets, and increasingly used as a form of payment for goods and services by various online and physical retailers.
While initially designed as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system, Bitcoin is now largely seen as an investment and a store of value. However, it's important to note that Bitcoin, like any investment, comes with risks, including market volatility.