$BTC (Bitcoin) is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a decentralized, peer-to-peer network using blockchain technology to enable secure, transparent transactions without intermediaries. Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins, making it deflationary by design. Often called "digital gold," it’s used as a store of value and a hedge against inflation. Bitcoin’s price is highly volatile but has seen massive growth over time. It remains the benchmark for the crypto market, influencing other assets and adoption trends, and plays a central role in global digital finance.