Bitcoin is the first and most famous cryptocurrency, created in 2008 by an anonymous developer (or group) under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a decentralized network that uses blockchain technology to ensure secure and transparent transactions. Bitcoin is not controlled by any central authority, making it independent from governments and traditional financial institutions. Its limited supply of 21 million coins and Proof-of-Work consensus algorithm contribute to its scarcity and inflation resistance. Bitcoin is used as a medium of exchange, store of value, and investment vehicle, and its adoption continues to grow among both individual users and large corporations and institutional investors.