Bitcoin was first introduced in 2009, when the anonymous creator(s) of the cryptocurrency, known as Satoshi Nakamoto, released a white paper outlining the design and purpose of the digital asset. Initially, bitcoin was not well-known or widely adopted, and it remained a relatively niche interest for the first few years of its existence.

It wasn't until around 2013 that bitcoin started to gain more mainstream attention and adoption, as its value began to rise and more merchants started accepting it as a form of payment. In 2017, the value of bitcoin reached an all-time high, which generated a lot of media attention and sparked interest in cryptocurrency among the general public.

Today, while bitcoin is still not as well-known as traditional financial assets like stocks or currencies, it is much more widely recognized and understood than it was in its early days. However, it's important to note that the cryptocurrency market is still relatively new and can be volatile, so it's important for anyone considering investing in bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies to do their research and understand the risks involved.