The world’s first and largest crypto by market cap, Bitcoin is considered the first wide-scale implementation of blockchain technology. Founded in 2009, the crypto asset has become the benchmark against which all other crypto assets are measured. Bitcoin was created by an anonymous entity referred to under the pseudonym ‘Satoshi Nakamoto’, based on an idea of electronic, peer-to-peer cash systems, using a decentralized blockchain based on cryptography. Bitcoin was revolutionary in introducing a digital currency that can operate without the need for a central authority, like a bank or government. Over the years, the Bitcoin blockchain has experienced several changes. A prominent example was the Bitcoin Cash hard fork, which took place in August 2017 and resulted in the creation of Bitcoin Cash – multibillion-dollar crypto of its own. As of August 2021, there are over 19 million BTC coins in circulation on the market, with a total supply of 21 million coins. Learn more about BTC and keep up to date with the latest price with BlockFi.