Bitcoin (BTC) is a decentralized digital currency, the world's first and most well-known cryptocurrency. Created in 2009 by an anonymous entity named Satoshi Nakamoto, it operates on a peer-to-peer network without the need for a central bank or government.
Transactions are recorded on a public, immutable ledger called the blockchain, secured by cryptography through a process known as "mining." Bitcoin's supply is capped at 21 million coins, making it deflationary. It serves as a medium of exchange, a store of value (often likened to "digital gold"), and an investment asset, facilitating global transactions with relative speed and lower fees compared to traditional banking.
