$BTC Bitcoin (BTC) is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, launched in 2009 by an anonymous individual or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It is a decentralized digital currency that operates on a peer-to-peer network, allowing users to transfer value directly without intermediaries like banks.

Key Features of Bitcoin:

Decentralization: Bitcoin is not controlled by any government, central bank, or institution. Instead, it runs on a distributed ledger called the blockchain, maintained by a network of nodes (computers) worldwide.

Limited Supply: Bitcoin has a maximum supply of 21 million coins, making it a deflationary asset. This scarcity is one reason for its value and popularity as a store of value, often compared to digital gold.

Security and Transparency: Transactions are recorded on the blockchain, which is immutable and transparent. This ensures that all transactions are publicly verifiable and secure.

Mining: New bitcoins are created through a process called mining, where miners solve complex mathematical problems to validate transactions and add them to the blockchain. Miners are rewarded with newly created bitcoins.

Use Cases: Bitcoin is used for various purposes, including:

Digital payments for goods and services.

Store of value or an investment asset.

Remittances due to its low transaction fees compared to traditional methods.

Bitcoin’s creation marked the beginning of the cryptocurrency revolution, inspiring the development of thousands of other digital assets and decentralized technologies