Bitcoin, often denoted as BTC, is a decentralized digital currency, without a central bank or single administrator, that can be sent from user to user on the peer-to-peer bitcoin network.

Bitcoin was invented in 2008 by an unknown person or group of people using the name Satoshi Nakamoto. The currency began use in 2009 when its implementation was released as open-source software.

Bitcoins are created as a reward for a process known as mining. They can be exchanged for other currencies, products, and services, but the real-world value of these coins is extremely volatile.

As the first blockchain-based cryptocurrency, Bitcoin has inspired thousands of others and instigated a trend towards decentralization. This has the potential to change the world's financial institutions and disrupt traditional ways of doing business.