what is bitcoin?

Bitcoin is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by an anonymous entity known as Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates as a decentralized digital currency, meaning it functions without a central authority like a bank or government. Transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded on a public ledger called a blockchain. Bitcoin is often likened to digital gold due to its limited supply and has become a store of value and medium of exchange in the digital economy.