$BTC Bitcoin ($BTC)** is the pioneering decentralized digital currency, launched in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a public, immutable ledger called the blockchain, secured by proof-of-work mining. Designed as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system, Bitcoin enables borderless transactions without intermediaries like banks.

Key features include its fixed supply cap of 21 million coins (creating digital scarcity), censorship resistance, and permissionless access. While known for significant price volatility, BTC has established itself as the dominant cryptocurrency by market capitalization. It's often dubbed "digital gold" due to its store-of-value narrative. Adoption grows, but regulatory uncertainty and scalability challenges persist. Bitcoin remains a highly speculative, transformative, and debated asset class.