Bitcoin is a digital currency created in 2009 by an anonymous individual or group under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a decentralized network, allowing users to make peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries like banks. Transactions are recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain, maintained by a network of miners who validate and secure transactions through cryptographic algorithms. Bitcoin's supply is capped at 21 million coins, making it deflationary by nature. Its value is determined by market demand and supply dynamics, resulting in significant price volatility.

Bitcoin is lauded for its potential to revolutionize finance by offering greater financial inclusion, lower transaction fees, and resistance to censorship and inflation. However, it faces criticisms for its environmental impact due to the energy-intensive process of mining, scalability issues, and its association with illicit activities on darknet markets. Despite these challenges, Bitcoin has garnered mainstream acceptance as an investment asset and payment method, with numerous businesses and individuals adopting it worldwide. Its underlying technology, blockchain, has also inspired innovations across various industries beyond finance.

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