Bitcoin

Bitcoin is the first decentralized digital currency (BTC): a peer-to-peer electronic cash system operating without a central bank or single administrator.

Bitcoin is a revolutionary digital asset, launched in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, designed to solve the 'double-spending' problem for online payments. It operates on a public, distributed ledger called the blockchain, which is secured by a Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism. This technology allows for direct, trustless transactions between two parties globally, bypassing traditional financial institutions. A key feature is its programmed scarcity: the total supply is hard-capped at 21 million coins, preventing inflation via arbitrary minting. It functions as a store of value and a medium of exchange, tracked on a transparent, immutable record.

https://bitcoin.org