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Bitcoin is the first and most popular digital currency - a cryptocurrency. It powers a peer-to-peer network for the exchange of value through the use of a decentralized protocol. The idea behind Bitcoin is to have a system where there is no middleman or central authority.

Bitcoin refers to both the software protocol as well as to the digital asset, which goes by the ticker symbol BTC. At its most basic level, Bitcoin is useful for transacting value outside the traditional financial system. You can buy and sell BTC for other cryptos alongside more traditional currencies at crypto exchanges like Binance, Kraken and Bitstamp.

Satoshi Nakamoto, a mysterious person (or group of people), launched Bitcoin in 2009. What sets it apart is that it's completely decentralized, meaning no single entity controls it. Instead, a network of computers, known as miners, maintains and validates transactions.

Bitcoin mining creates new bitcoins in the form of block rewards. The process verifies transactions on the blockchain. Miners earn Bitcoin as a reward for completing "blocks" of verified transactions and adding them to the blockchain.

It has a maximum total supply of 21 million, which means that there can only be 21 million in circulation. However, the number of issued Bitcoins will likely never reach 21 million. That is because of the use of rounding operators in the codebase.

You can break a single Bitcoin down into 100 million tiny pieces called "satoshis." You can store them in a digital wallet.

You can send parts of a Bitcoin to pay for things. You can also trade it for other crypto assets. But when you dig into the technicalities, it's like peeling an onion—layer after layer of complexity.

All Bitcoin transactions happen on a blockchain. Think of it as a public digital ledger that everyone can see but no one can tamper with. Miners are the ones who validate and secure these transactions. They validate transactions by solving complex math problems and receive new bitcoins as a reward for their efforts.

Key Points to Remember

• Bitcoin was the first big player in the crypto game, and it's still the largest by market value.
• Unlike traditional money, it exists on a decentralized network called a blockchain.
• Its value has had a roller-coaster ride, experiencing dramatic ups and downs over the years.
• Because of the digital asset's success, countless other cryptos have sprung up, increasing the use of blockchain technology.
• You can buy Bitcoin on several cryptocurrency exchanges.