Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, not a blockchain itself, because it is a digital asset that operates on a blockchain rather than being the underlying technology. The Bitcoin blockchain is the decentralized, public ledger that records all Bitcoin transactions, ensuring transparency and security through cryptographic hashing and consensus mechanisms like Proof of Work (PoW). Bitcoin (BTC) functions as the native token of this blockchain, used for value transfer, payments, and store of value.

While Bitcoin relies on blockchain technology, the two are distinct:

Blockchain is the infrastructure—a distributed database that maintains a secure, immutable record of transactions.

Bitcoin is an application built on that infrastructure, serving as a medium of exchange and investment asset.

Other blockchains (e.g., Ethereum, Solana) also host their own cryptocurrencies (ETH, SOL), proving that blockchain can exist beyond Bitcoin. Additionally, blockchains have non-crypto uses (e.g., supply chain tracking, smart contracts), whereas Bitcoin’s primary role is financial. Thus, Bitcoin is a product of blockchain technology, not the technology itself—a key distinction in understanding decentralized systems.