Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency, without a central bank or single administrator, that can be sent from user to user on the peer-to-peer Bitcoin network without the need for intermediaries. Transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded in a public distributed ledger called a blockchain.

Bitcoin was introduced in 2009 by an anonymous individual or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It was the first cryptocurrency and remains the most well-known and widely used. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments (fiat), Bitcoin operates on a decentralized system where trust is maintained through code, mathematics, and consensus.

Users store Bitcoin in digital wallets and can use it to buy goods, services, or hold it as an investment. The total supply of Bitcoin is capped at 21 million coins, making it a deflationary asset by design.

Key Features:

• Decentralized: No central authority or bank controls it.

• Limited Supply: Only 21 million bitcoins will ever exist.

• Blockchain Technology: Ensures transparency, security, and immutability of transactions.

• Mining: New bitcoins are created through a process called mining, where powerful computers solve complex puzzles.