In the cryptocurrency world, BTC is the abbreviation for Bitcoin. It represents not only a form of digital currency but also signifies the origin of the entire blockchain industry. Bitcoin was created in 2009 by the enigmatic Satoshi Nakamoto to establish a decentralized payment system, enabling secure and unrestricted peer-to-peer transactions without reliance on banks or third-party intermediaries.
BTC is the first blockchain asset to achieve global operational success, and its symbol has become virtually synonymous with “cryptocurrency.” In articles, on social platforms, or in price analyses, references to BTC almost always mean Bitcoin itself.
Bitcoin’s design philosophy is remarkably straightforward yet revolutionary:
BTC’s supply is capped at 21 million coins, which is fundamental to its enduring scarcity and value. Satoshi Nakamoto encoded a halving of mining rewards every four years, creating BTC’s “deflationary economic model.”
This mechanism makes BTC akin to “digital gold”—it cannot be inflated at will, making it a favored choice for investors seeking protection against inflation and economic uncertainty.
Chart: https://www.gate.com/trade/BTC_USDT
As of October 2025, Bitcoin is trading at approximately $108,000, a marked increase from the same period last year. This price movement underscores market confidence in BTC’s long-term value. Since 2020, a growing number of institutions—including Tesla and MicroStrategy—have added BTC to their portfolios, evolving it from a niche “geek currency” into a globally recognized store of value.
BTC also represents over 45% of the entire cryptocurrency market capitalization, remaining the sector’s central benchmark. When BTC’s price rises, other leading crypto assets typically rally as well—a phenomenon known as the “Bitcoin effect.”
Despite the emergence of thousands of token projects, BTC continues to dominate for three primary reasons:
As a result, BTC stands for much more than a currency symbol—it is the bedrock of belief and consensus throughout the crypto industry.
Any reference to BTC in texts or market reports almost always means Bitcoin. Grasping BTC is fundamental to understanding the cryptocurrency world. Whether your focus is investing, research, or blockchain technology, BTC is the gateway.
From 2009 to 2025, BTC has evolved from an online experiment into a globally recognized store of value. Its existence is what makes the crypto universe possible.