What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a digital currency that allows people to send and receive value over the internet without needing a bank or any other middleman. It was created in 2009 by an anonymous person (or group) known as Satoshi Nakamoto.
Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments, Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins. This scarcity is built into the protocol and cannot be changed.
How Does It Work?
Bitcoin runs on a technology called blockchain — a public ledger that records every transaction ever made. This ledger is maintained by thousands of computers around the world, making it nearly impossible to tamper with.
When you send Bitcoin to someone, that transaction is verified by a process called mining and then added to the blockchain permanently.
Why Does It Matter?
Bitcoin gives individuals the power to control their own money. There’s no bank that can freeze your account, no government that can inflate away your savings, and no company that can prevent you from making a transaction.
This is what Bitcoiners call financial sovereignty — the ability to be your own bank.
Getting Started
The smallest unit of Bitcoin is called a satoshi. One Bitcoin equals 100 million satoshis. You don’t need to buy a whole Bitcoin — you can start with any amount.
To learn about keeping your Bitcoin safe, read our guide on self-custody.