Bitcoin ($BTC ) is a decentralized digital currency that was created in 2008 by an anonymous person or group known as Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a peer-to-peer network without a central authority, making it immune to government control or interference. Bitcoin transactions are secured using blockchain technology, which records every transaction across a network of computers, ensuring transparency and security. Its limited supply of 21 million coins has led to its comparison with gold, with many seeing it as a store of value or a hedge against inflation.