What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency (cryptocurrency) that lets people send and receive value peer-to-peer over the internet without relying on a central authority (such as a bank).
Bitcoin was introduced in a 2008 whitepaper by an individual or group under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The true identity remains unknown.
  • Transactions are grouped into blocks.

  • Miners (computing nodes) validate transactions and add blocks to a public ledger called the blockchain.

  • Miners who successfully add blocks are rewarded (with newly minted Bitcoin + transaction fees).

  • The blockchain ensures transparency, immutability, and prevents double-spending.

  • Mining is the process by which network participants (miners) solve cryptographic puzzles to validate transactions and create new blocks. It’s how new bitcoins are introduced and how network security is maintained.

Bitcoin has a capped supply of 21 million coins. No more will ever be created.
No — Bitcoin is pseudonymous. All transactions are publicly visible on the blockchain (which shows addresses and amounts), but the identity behind an address is not inherently revealed.