Bitcoin was created by an unknown person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Nakamoto published the original Bitcoin white paper titled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System" in October 2008 and released the first Bitcoin software in early 2009, launching the network. The true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto remains a mystery, with multiple people speculated to be behind the name, but none confirmed. Nakamoto was actively involved in Bitcoin's development until about 2010 and then disappeared from public communication. The Bitcoin network and protocol they created pioneered the first decentralized blockchain and solved key problems like digital double- spending without relying on a central authority.