Bitcoin was introduced in 2008 by an anonymous person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The first Bitcoin transaction occurred in 2009, and the cryptocurrency gained popularity over the following years. It has since experienced several major price cycles, technological developments, and increasing mainstream adoption. Key events include the first real-world Bitcoin transaction in 2010, the Mt. Gox exchange collapse in 2014, the 2017 bull run, and institutional adoption starting in 2020.