Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency, created in 2009 by an unknown person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a peer-to-peer network, allowing users to send and receive payments without intermediaries like banks. Bitcoin transactions are verified by miners through cryptography and recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain. Known for its limited supply of 21 million coins, Bitcoin has gained attention as both an investment asset and a potential alternative to traditional money. Its volatility and regulatory challenges remain key aspects of ongoing debates in the financial world.