While it’s only eight years old, Bitcoin has become a hot topic among investors and those in the tech industry. What sets Bitcoin apart from other currency is that it is a digital currency that is not controlled by anyone -- such as a government or bank. It’s created by people who use computers and tech to process transactions and collect bitcoin in exchange. Supporters applaud its strong security.

5. The first transaction was a pizza order

The very first Bitcoin transaction was a 10,000 bitcoin transaction for a pizza by Laszlo Hanyecz in November 2010.

At the time, 10,000 bitcoins were worth nearly $99 million. Laszlo reached out to several Bitcoin users in order to find someone that would help him buy a pizza with Bitcoin. While his first transaction was successful, he managed to do it several more times in 2010.

4. Wealthy investors are against Bitcoin

Some popular investors and billionaires have spoken out against the digital currency. On CNBC Warren Buffett warned people to stay away from Bitcoin and called it a mirage. According to Financial Times, the CEO of JP Morgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, said that you can’t just invent a currency out of thin air. However, there are some billionaires and investors who support the cryptocurrency. Mark Cuban invested in a fund that supports Bitcoin, and Richard Branson recently spoke favorably of the currency.

3. The Federal Government was once the largest owner of Bitcoin

In 2013, the Federal Bureau of Investigation launched a massive operation against Silk Road. The Silk Road was a website on the darknet where people could buy illegal drugs, along with other goods and services. The FBI took over dozens of bitcoin wallets, with one wallet containing 144,000 bitcoins.

At the time of this operation, they became one of the largest owners of Bitcoin.

2. The creator is still a mystery

Nobody really knows the identity of the creator of Bitcoin. Many people have claimed to be the creator, but never had any evidence to prove it. Newsweek once ran an article claiming that they found Bitcoin’s creator four years ago, and identified California resident Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto as the man behind the digital currency.

He strongly denied it.

1. You can spend Bitcoin

While it appears that not many people use Bitcoin to make purchases, several major companies accept the digital currency, such as Overstock, Expedia, and Newegg.

What do you think about the digital currency?