Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual form of currency that uses cryptography for security. It is decentralized and operates on a technology called blockchain, which is a distributed ledger that records all transactions across multiple computers. Unlike traditional fiat currencies issued by governments, cryptocurrencies are not controlled by any central authority, such as a central bank.
The most well-known and widely used cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, which was created in 2009 by an anonymous person or group of people using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Since then, thousands of other cryptocurrencies, often referred to as altcoins, have been created, each with its own features and purposes.