Bitcoin is a digital currency created in 2009 by an individual or group operating under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, whose true identity remains unknown. It is not subject to any central authority, making it distinct from the traditional fiat currencies issued by central banks.
With a limited supply of 21 million coins, Bitcoin shares a similarity with gold in terms of scarcity. Just as the supply of the precious metal gold is limited, so is the supply of Bitcoin.
The underlying technology behind Bitcoin is the Blockchain technology, which dates back to the 1980s. Bitcoin, hailed as the currency of the future, is built on the foundation of Blockchain technology.
Bitcoin is not the only cryptocurrency in the world, but it is the largest in terms of market capitalization and the first cryptocurrency ever created. Today, there are over 5,000 cryptocurrencies in existence.
Some view it as a store of value similar to gold, while others see it as a medium of exchange for daily transactions. It is estimated that there are 20-30 million users of the leading cryptocurrency worldwide, each with their own perspective on its utility and value.