BTC: The Native Unit of the Bitcoin Network
Bitcoin (BTC) is the original and most widely recognized decentralized digital currency. It serves as the native currency of the Bitcoin network, meaning all transactions within the system are settled in BTC. As the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin has paved the way for an entirely new financial paradigm, providing a borderless, trustless, and censorship-resistant form of money.
Scarcity and Supply Limits

Bitcoin’s supply is strictly limited to 21 million coins, a deliberate design to create scarcity and preserve value. Yet, the effective supply is even smaller in practice. Many Bitcoins have been permanently lost due to forgotten private keys, misplaced wallets, or accidental destruction. Current estimates suggest that roughly 4 million BTC are lost forever.

Additionally, a significant portion of Bitcoin is held by long-term investors who rarely sell, further reducing the circulating supply. This combination of fixed supply and limited availability enhances Bitcoin’s value over time. The coins actively traded on exchanges or distributed through mining rewards and ETFs represent only a fraction of the total supply, making Bitcoin increasingly scarce in the real world.
Divisibility and Satoshis

Despite its scarcity, Bitcoin is highly divisible, which makes it practical for everyday use. Each Bitcoin can be split into 100 million smaller units called Satoshis. This means you don’t need to purchase a full Bitcoin to participate in transactions—you can use tiny fractions for payments, microtransactions, or investments. This feature ensures that Bitcoin is accessible to everyone, from casual users to institutional investors.
Why It Matters

Bitcoin’s fixed supply, divisibility, and decentralized nature make it not only a store of value but also a practical medium of exchange. Over time, as adoption grows and supply remains limited, Bitcoin’s unique characteristics position it as a digital gold for the modern era.