Bitcoin (BTC) is the original cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto as a decentralized peer-to-peer electronic cash system outlined in its whitepaper. It operates on a proof-of-work blockchain with a fixed supply cap of 21 million coins, emphasizing censorship resistance, scarcity, and independence from traditional financial institutions. Widely viewed as 'digital gold,' Bitcoin serves primarily as a store of value, medium of exchange in certain contexts, and the foundational asset of the entire cryptocurrency ecosystem.