The smallest unit of bitcoin with a value of 0.00000001 BTC.
Like any other fiat currency out there, cryptocurrencies can also be divided into smaller units.
Just as the U.S. dollar can be divided into cents and the pound into pence, the smallest available unit of Bitcoin is a satoshi – otherwise known as 0.00000001 BTC.
The satoshi takes its name from Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous inventor of BTC.
At first, it was suggested that a satoshi should be used to refer to one hundredth of a Bitcoin — but eventually, the crypto community settled on this being used to refer to one hundred millionth of a Bitcoin.
In its plural form, both “satoshi” and “satoshis” are common in crypto circles. When it comes to abbreviations, SAT and S are both widely used.
The fact that Bitcoin is so divisible is actually crucial. Restricting it to just two decimal places would make this cryptocurrency impractical for everyday use, as 0.10 BTC can be worth thousands of dollars. Smaller fractions are vital when it comes to paying transaction fees, as well as when completing micropayments.
