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Launched in 2009 by the enigmatic Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin was conceived as a peer-to-peer network that operates independently of any government or central authority. The true identity of Nakamoto remains shrouded in mystery, leaving the cryptocurrency community with yet another layer of intrigue surrounding the asset. As a novelty, Bitcoin ended 2010 at a modest value of around $30, but the price surged by an astonishing 137% in the following year, setting the stage for its explosive growth.