$BTC Bitcoin (BTC) is the world's first decentralized digital currency, created in 2009 by an anonymous entity known as Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a technology called blockchain, a public, distributed ledger that records all transactions securely and transparently.

Key features include its decentralized nature, meaning no central authority like a bank or government controls it, and a limited supply of 21 million coins, designed to prevent inflation. Transactions are verified by a process called "mining," where powerful computers solve complex mathematical problems. While offering advantages like quick, borderless transactions and potential for high returns, Bitcoin is also known for its price volatility and energy consumption associated with mining. It's used as both a payment method and a store of value, gaining increasing acceptance globally.