Bitcoin (BTC) Bitcoin
Bitcoin is the first and largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto as a decentralized digital currency.
Key Facts
- • Maximum supply capped at 21 million coins
- • Operates on a decentralized blockchain network without central authority
- • First block (genesis block) was mined on January 3, 2009
- • Halving events that cut mining rewards in half occur roughly every four years
- • Widely considered a digital store of value, often compared to gold by institutional investors
Related Trading Concepts
Blockchain
A decentralized, distributed digital ledger that records transactions across many computers. Each "block" contains transaction data, and blocks are linked chronologically in a "chain". Blockchains are the technology underneath most cryptocurrencies.
Market Cap
Market Capitalization: the total value of a company's outstanding shares, calculated as stock price multiplied by number of shares outstanding. It classifies companies into small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap categories.
Wallet
A tool (software or hardware) that stores your cryptocurrency private keys, allowing you to send, receive, and manage your digital assets. Wallets don't actually store your crypto — they store the keys needed to access it on the blockchain.
Private Key
A secret cryptographic key that allows you to spend or transfer cryptocurrency from your wallet. Whoever controls the private key controls the associated cryptocurrency. Never share your private key with anyone.
Gas Fee
A transaction fee paid to blockchain network validators (miners or stakers) to process and validate your transaction. Gas fees increase when the network is busy.
Spot Trading
Buying or selling a cryptocurrency at the current market price for immediate settlement. When you spot trade, you own the actual cryptocurrency, not a derivative contract.