#BitwiseBitcoinETF *Bitcoin (BTC)* is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, created by an anonymous person or group of people under the pseudonym *Satoshi Nakamoto* in 2008. Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network called the *blockchain*, a distributed ledger that records all transactions securely and transparently. Unlike traditional currencies, Bitcoin is not controlled by any government or financial institution. Its primary use is as a store of value and medium of exchange, with a fixed supply cap of 21 million coins, making it deflationary. Bitcoin has gained widespread adoption, influencing the rise of thousands of other cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based innovations.