The history of Bitcoin is both fascinating and complex. Developed by an anonymous group of mathematicians, Bitcoin emerged in 2008 with the intention of becoming "virtual gold," and its first software was released in early 2009 during the peak of the U.S. recession. Recognizing the need for long-term value, similar to gold, its creators capped the supply at 21 million Bitcoins. Bitcoin mining, the process by which new Bitcoins are generated, involves "miners" using specialized software to solve intricate mathematical problems, earning Bitcoins as a reward. Bitcoin has dominated the cryptocurrency world for so long that "crypto" and "Bitcoin" are often used interchangeably.

Bitcoin is the first widely recognized and accepted cryptocurrency. Created in 2009 by an unknown individual under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin's popularity surged when merchants began accepting it as payment. Beyond transactions, Bitcoin can also be traded for significant profits. With a market cap of approximately $41 billion, Bitcoin has been in existence for eight years and is extensively used globally. Its operation relies on the blockchain concept, which is crucial to understanding cryptocurrencies.