Bitcoin

Definition

Bitcoin (BTC) is a decentralized digital currency created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a peer-to-peer network using blockchain technology, allowing users to send and receive payments without intermediaries like banks. Bitcoin has a fixed supply cap of 21 million coins, making it deflationary by design. New bitcoins are created through mining — a process where powerful computers solve complex mathematical puzzles to validate transactions and secure the network. Bitcoin undergoes a "halving" approximately every four years, cutting the mining reward in half. It is widely considered digital gold and a store of value, though its price volatility remains significant.