Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency proposed by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 and first launched in 2009. It does not rely on any central bank or financial institution and uses blockchain technology to ensure the security and transparency of transactions. Every transaction is verified by nodes on the global network, making Bitcoin theoretically harder to tamper with or counterfeit than traditional currency systems. Due to its limited supply (a maximum of 21 million Bitcoins), Bitcoin is considered an inflation-resistant asset. Despite its wild price fluctuations, it has come to be recognized as an important digital asset and investment tool as more businesses and individuals accept Bitcoin as payment.
