Bitcoin (BTC)

BTC is distinctive because its monetary policy is built into the protocol. New coins are issued as block rewards, but those rewards are reduced through scheduled halvings, and total supply is capped at 21 million coins. This predictable scarcity has helped shape Bitcoin’s reputation as a store-of-value asset and led supporters to compare it with gold, while its open network gives users permissionless access and resistance to censorship.

Bitcoin’s role has expanded beyond its early use as peer-to-peer electronic cash. It is held by individuals, investment funds, public companies, and treasury managers seeking exposure to a non-sovereign monetary asset. The approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States in 2024 further connected BTC to traditional capital markets.

The wider Bitcoin ecosystem also continues to evolve. Ordinals introduced a method for inscribing data onto individual satoshis, enabling collectibles and experimental token standards such as BRC-20. Separately, Bitcoin-focused finance projects explore ways to use BTC in staking, lending, and cross-chain security while preserving Bitcoin’s core position as the most established and liquid crypto asset.