#bitcoin

Exactly 17 years ago, on January 3, 2009, the Bitcoin network was launched and its first — the genesis block — was mined.

This moment is considered the starting point of the entire cryptocurrency industry.

The creator of the network, Satoshi Nakamoto, received the first 50 BTC and left a hidden message in the block hash — a headline from The Times newspaper:

“Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks.”

This was not just a note, but a direct reference to the crisis-ridden financial system, the bailout of banks at taxpayers’ expense, and the uncontrolled printing of money that erodes the savings of ordinary people.

Later, Satoshi disappeared, leaving behind no central authority and no owner. Bitcoin passed into the hands of the community — and since then has evolved as a fully decentralized monetary system, independent of governments and corporations.

🎉 Happy Genesis Block Day — the day an idea became reality.