#### What is BitTorrent? BitTorrent (BTTOLD) is a decentralized [peer-to-peer](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/getting-started/crypto-education/glossary/peer-to-peer) (P2P) file sharing and torrent platform that has gained significant popularity due to its innovative approach to file distribution. Launched in July 2001, BitTorrent was acquired by the [blockchain](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-a-blockchain) platform TRON in July 2018. Since then, BitTorrent has introduced new tools and a dedicated native [cryptocurrency](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-cryptocurrency) token, BTT, which was released in February 2019. BTT was launched on TRON’s blockchain, using its TRC-10 standard. BitTorrent aims to disrupt the traditional entertainment industry by enabling internet users to distribute content among themselves directly, making the process of obtaining material more efficient and less costly. #### How does BitTorrent work? BitTorrent operates on a peer-to-peer file sharing [protocol](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-a-protocol) that allows users to distribute content directly among themselves. This eliminates the need for a central server, making the process more efficient and less reliant on a single point of failure. BitTorrent's unique feature, BitTorrent Speed, uses the BTT token as part of its operations, incentivizing users to seed files longer and dedicate more of their bandwidth and storage to other torrent clients in the network. This system aims to create a healthier BitTorrent protocol by introducing an incentive of earning BTT [tokens](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-a-token). #### What are the potential use cases for BitTorrent? BitTorrent's primary use case is to provide a decentralized platform for file sharing and torrenting. It allows users to distribute content directly among themselves, bypassing the need for a central server. This makes the process more efficient and less costly. Additionally, BitTorrent has expanded its user appeal to those interested in decentralized solutions and cryptocurrency. The introduction of the BTT token has opened up new possibilities for the platform, including allowing users to pay others for faster downloads with BitTorrent Speed. BitTorrent also offers several "premium" versions of its platform, which include VPN capabilities and ad-free browsing. #### What is the history of BitTorrent? BitTorrent was originally released in July 2001 by developer and entrepreneur Bram Cohen. Cohen designed BitTorrent with the intention of disrupting the traditional entertainment industry, which he saw as slow and expensive. Despite facing multiple legal battles, Cohen maintained that BitTorrent does not break copyright laws by allowing users to share files such as music and movies among themselves. In 2018, BitTorrent was acquired by TRON, a blockchain platform. Under TRON's control, BitTorrent has added various new tools and a dedicated native cryptocurrency token, BTT, which was released in February 2019.