Bitcoin ($BTC ) is a decentralized digital currency created in 2009 by an anonymous entity known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Operating without a central authority, Bitcoin uses blockchain technology—a public, distributed ledger—to verify and record transactions. BTC is mined through a process that involves solving complex cryptographic puzzles, ensuring security and scarcity. Its limited supply of 21 million coins positions it as “digital gold” and a hedge against inflation. Bitcoin has gained global popularity as both a speculative asset and a means of payment, influencing finance, regulation, and innovation in decentralized finance (DeFi). Despite volatility, it remains the most valuable cryptocurrency by market cap.