Bitcoin

Bitcoin is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by an anonymous person or group under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It is a decentralized digital currency that enables fast and secure transactions without intermediaries such as banks. Bitcoin operates on a blockchain—a public, immutable ledger where all transactions are recorded and verified by a network of users known as miners.

Bitcoin uses the Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism, meaning transactions are validated through complex mathematical computations requiring significant computational power. It is considered both a means of payment and a form of digital gold—an asset with a limited supply (a maximum of 21 million BTC) that serves as a hedge against inflation. Despite its price volatility, Bitcoin remains the foundation of the cryptocurrency market and a symbol of decentralized financial freedom.