The Bitcoin Whitepaper is a document published in 2008 by an individual or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It outlines the concept and framework for Bitcoin, the first decentralized digital currency. In this paper, Nakamoto explains how Bitcoin operates on a peer-to-peer network to facilitate transactions without the need for intermediaries like banks.

The whitepaper introduces the idea of blockchain, a public ledger that securely records all transactions, ensuring transparency and preventing tampering. Key features of Bitcoin, such as limited supply and the proof-of-work consensus mechanism, are also discussed.

These features address issues like double-spending and provide a way to validate transactions without relying on trust. The release of the whitepaper in 2008 marked the beginning of a financial revolution, laying the groundwork for the creation of Bitcoin, which was launched in 2009.

The document is often considered a foundational text in the study of cryptocurrencies and decentralized systems, influencing countless projects and ideas in the years that followed.