Bitcoin (BTC)

The first and most valuable decentralized digital currency, created by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009.

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin (abbreviation: BTC; sign: ₿) is the first decentralized cryptocurrency or digital asset, invented in 2008 by an unknown entity under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto and launched in 2009 as open-source software. It operates on a peer-to-peer network where computers (nodes) maintain a public distributed ledger called a blockchain to record transactions without central oversight.

Bitcoin enables encrypted, peer-to-peer transactions without needing a central bank or third-party involvement, making it a digital currency for secure, direct value transfer worldwide. Its value has grown significantly since inception, from fractions of a penny in 2010 to over $110,000 in 2025, driven by adoption as a store of value and medium of exchange. Demand from retail investors, traditional financial institutions, and institutional investors seeking portfolio diversification and inflation hedge has driven this growth.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs, approved by the U.S. SEC in January 2024, are exchange-traded funds that directly hold Bitcoin, tracking its spot price in real-time. They provide investors with regulated exposure to Bitcoin without direct ownership, with major players like BlackRock’s IBIT and Grayscale’s GBTC managing billions in assets, enhancing accessibility and liquidity.