$BTC Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency, launched in 2009 by an anonymous person or group under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on blockchain technology, a distributed ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers.

Key features of Bitcoin include:

1. Decentralization: No central authority governs Bitcoin, making it resistant to censorship and control by governments or institutions.

2. Limited Supply: There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoins, ensuring scarcity and protecting against inflation.

3. Peer-to-Peer Transactions: Bitcoin allows users to send and receive payments directly without intermediaries like banks.

4. Transparency: Transactions are publicly recorded on the blockchain, enhancing trust.

5. Security: Cryptographic techniques make transactions secure and hard to alter.

Bitcoin can be used for various purposes, including online purchases, investment, and remittances. Its price is highly volatile, influenced by factors like market demand, regulations, and global events. It has also paved the way for thousands of other cryptocurrencies, shaping the future of finance and technology.