Bitcoin#

The Bitcoin network is a peer-to-peer electronic cash system that uses blockchain technology to record all transactions without relying on a central authority or intermediary. This network consists of thousands of nodes worldwide that collectively maintain a public distributed ledger.

Key features of Bitcoin include a fixed supply (a total of 21 million bitcoins), transparent transaction records, pseudonymity (rather than full anonymity), and tamper-resistant design. The Bitcoin network ensures security and consistency through a proof-of-work consensus mechanism, a process known as "mining."

As the first successful cryptocurrency, Bitcoin not only created a new class of digital assets but also paved the way for subsequent blockchain projects and decentralized systems.