Bitcoin
Bitcoin is the world's first decentralised digital currency, launched in 2009 by an anonymous developer under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto.
Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer payment system without a central authority. Transactions are verified by a distributed network of miners and recorded in a public ledger (the blockchain). Total supply is mathematically capped at 21 million BTC, making Bitcoin the first truly scarce digital asset. The whitepaper appeared on 31 October 2008; the network went live on 3 January 2009.
Example
An entrepreneur invoices in euros but accepts payment in BTC via a Lightning invoice. The transaction settles within seconds, costs 5–20 sats in network fees, and is irreversible.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bitcoin legal?
In most Western jurisdictions: yes. Ownership, trading and use are permitted; crypto service providers must hold licenses (in the EU under MiCA from 2024/2025).
Related terms
Further reading
- → Our service: Bitcoin sector