Bitcoin is a digital currency that allows for peer-to-peer transactions without the need for a central authority or intermediary. It was created in 2009 by an anonymous person or group of people under the name Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain, and new bitcoins are created through a process called mining, in which computers solve complex mathematical problems. Bitcoin can be used to purchase goods and services, as well as to store value like traditional currencies. However, its volatile price and lack of regulation make it a highly speculative asset.