Bitcoin

Bitcoin is the original cryptocurrency — a peer-to-peer electronic cash system created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto. With a fixed supply of 21 million coins, it's often called 'digital gold' for its scarcity and role as a store of value.

Launched January 3, 2009

Launched in January 2009 after the financial crisis, Bitcoin was the first successful decentralized digital currency. It pioneered blockchain technology and sparked an entire industry.

• ✓Long-term store of value against inflation
• ✓Global peer-to-peer payments without intermediaries
• ✓Base layer of the cryptocurrency market