An example of a digital currency is Bitcoin, the first and most widely recognized cryptocurrency. Launched in 2009 by an anonymous person or group known as Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin operates on a decentralized blockchain technology that allows peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries like banks. Its emergence has spurred the development of countless other cryptocurrencies and has popularized blockchain applications in various sectors, leading to debates about regulation, security, and investment opportunities in the digital finance ecosystem.