**What is Bitcoin, and how does it work?**

Bitcoin is a digital currency that lets people send money to each other over the internet without needing a bank. It works on a technology called blockchain, which is like a public ledger that records every transaction. People around the world use powerful computers to solve complex math problems to keep the network secure and verify transactions. This process is called mining. Bitcoin is decentralized, meaning no single person or government controls it. Transactions are secure and transparent, but the price can be volatile.