$BTC Bitcoin (BTC) is the world’s first decentralized digital currency, launched in 2009 by an anonymous person or group known as Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates without a central authority, using blockchain technology to record all transactions on a public ledger. Bitcoin allows peer-to-peer transfers globally, offering transparency, security, and resistance to censorship. Its limited supply of 21 million coins adds to its appeal as a store of value, often referred to as "digital gold." Over time, Bitcoin has gained widespread acceptance, from individual investors to large institutions, influencing financial systems and sparking the growth of thousands of other cryptocurrencies.