In 2009, a person or group operating under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto created Bitcoin, a digital currency that operates in a decentralized manner. Unlike traditional currencies, such as dollars or euros, Bitcoin is not backed by a central government or financial institution. Instead, Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a decentralized public ledger called the blockchain, which is maintained by a network of nodes around the world.
One of the key features of Bitcoin is that it is designed to be a finite resource, with a total supply of 21 million coins. New bitcoins are created through a process called mining, in which network participants compete to solve complex mathematical problems in order to validate transactions and earn new coins. This process is designed to become progressively more difficult over time, which helps to ensure the integrity and security of the network.
Bitcoin has seen significant growth and adoption in recent years, with a current market capitalization of over $1 trillion USD. One reason for its popularity is its potential as a store of value and a hedge against inflation, given its limited supply and the fact that it is not subject to the same kind of inflationary pressures as traditional fiat currencies.
