Bitcoin Month: Origins and Key Milestones in Bitcoin’s History

Bitcoin, the world’s first and most well-known cryptocurrency, has significantly transformed the financial landscape since its inception. Understanding its history is crucial to appreciate its impact on global finance and technology. 

This article delves into the origins and key milestones of Bitcoin, charting its journey from an experimental digital currency to a widely-accepted form of payment. The article generally covers the early milestones of Bitcoin and will cover the Philippine angle in another piece.

Background

Cryptography and Digital Currency

Cryptography, the science of secure communication, lies at the core of digital currencies. It enables secure and tamper-proof transactions, making it an essential component of modern digital currencies.

Pre-Bitcoin Digital Currencies

Before Bitcoin, there were several attempts to create digital currencies, such as DigiCash, e-gold, and Bit Gold. These early projects laid the groundwork for Bitcoin but faced various challenges, including centralization, fraud, and regulatory issues.

• DigiCash was a digital currency system created by computer scientist David Chaum in the 1980s. It did not succeed due to technical limitations, regulatory hurdles, and competition.
• E-gold, launched in 1996, was backed by actual gold reserves and was also used for online payments.
• Nick Szabo proposed Bit Gold in 1998. It was supposed to be a proof-of-work algorithm similar to what would eventually become Bitcoin. Many see Bitcoin as the realization of the goals and ideas of Bit Gold.

Bitcoin’s Origins

Satoshi Nakamoto

The identity of Bitcoin’s creator remains a mystery. Known by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, the individual or group behind Bitcoin released a whitepaper in 2008 detailing the concept and technology of the cryptocurrency.

• A Dorian Nakamoto was mistakenly identified as Satoshi by news media in 2014.

Whitepaper Release

The Bitcoin whitepaper, titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System,” outlined the fundamental principles of a decentralized digital currency that relied on a distributed ledger called the “block chain”.

• The paper proposed a decentralized digital currency system that would allow for secure and anonymous peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries such as banks.
• The system would be based on a public ledger known as the blockchain, which would record all transactions and ensure the integrity of the system through a process called proof-of-work.
• Bitcoin would be created through mining, in which users would compete to solve complex mathematical problems and earn new Bitcoins as a reward.
• The system would allow for anonymous transactions, but would still be transparent and auditable through the public blockchain.

Genesis Block

On January 3, 2009, the first block of the Bitcoin blockchain, known as the Genesis Block, was mined by Satoshi Nakamoto, marking the birth of the cryptocurrency.

• The genesis block contains a message encoded in the *coinbase transaction, which reads “The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks.” This message is seen by many as a nod to the economic crisis of 2008 and the need for a decentralized alternative to traditional financial systems.
• The genesis block also contains a reward of 50 Bitcoins, which was the initial block reward for miners in the Bitcoin system. This reward was later reduced over time through a process called “halving,” which is built into the Bitcoin protocol to control the rate of inflation and ensure scarcity of the currency.

What is the coinbase transaction?

The coinbase transaction is the first transaction in each block and serves as the mechanism by which new Bitcoins are created and awarded to the miner who successfully mines the block.

Early Development

Growth of the Network

Bitcoin’s network expanded as more developers, miners, and enthusiasts joined the project, contributing to its development and mining new coins.

Mining

Mining is the process of validating and adding new transactions to the blockchain, ensuring the network’s security. In return, miners are rewarded with newly-created bitcoins.

First Bitcoin Transaction

On January 12, 2009, the first-ever Bitcoin transaction took place between Satoshi Nakamoto and developer Hal Finney.

Who are the early proponents of Bitcoin?

In addition to Satoshi Nakamoto, here are the early proponents of Bitcoin: 

1. Hal Finney was the first individual to receive Bitcoin.
2. Roger Ver is an early Bitcoin investor and entrepreneur, known as the “Bitcoin Jesus” for his evangelism of the cryptocurrency.
3. Gavin Andresen is a software developer who was the lead maintainer of the Bitcoin software for several years, following Satoshi Nakamoto’s departure from the project.
4. Charlie Shrem is an early Bitcoin adopter and entrepreneur who co-founded the Bitcoin exchange BitInstant. Shrem was a vocal proponent of Bitcoin and helped to popularize the cryptocurrency in its early days.
5. Erik Voorhees is a Bitcoin entrepreneur and investor who co-founded th exchange ShapeShift and the Bitcoin gambling site SatoshiDice. 

Key Milestones

Bitcoin Pizza Day

On May 22, 2010, the first recorded purchase of goods with Bitcoin occurred when programmer Laszlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas for 10,000 BTC, an event now commemorated as Bitcoin Pizza Day.

Silk Road

The Silk Road, an infamous online marketplace for illegal goods, gained widespread attention in 2011 for its use of Bitcoin as a payment method. The platform’s eventual shutdown in 2013 highlighted both the potential and risks associated with cryptocurrencies.

Mt. Gox

Once the largest Bitcoin exchange, Mt. Gox collapsed in 2014 after a massive security breach, resulting in the loss of 850,000 bitcoins. The incident had significant repercussions on the cryptocurrency market and raised questions about the security of digital assets.

Regulatory Changes

Governments around the world have been grappling with the implications of cryptocurrencies, leading to a variety of regulatory responses, ranging from strict bans to more accommodative stances.

• As of May 2023, a regulatory crackdown on crypto is happening in the U.S. However, these are mostly targeted on coins other than Bitcoin. Per the analysis of current U.S. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, everything other than Bitcoin is a security.

Bitcoin Halving

Bitcoin’s halving events, which occur approximately every four years, reduce the reward for mining by half. These events play a significant role in the cryptocurrency’s economic model and have influenced its price.

• During a halving event, the block reward for miners is cut in half, reducing the amount of new Bitcoin that is introduced into circulation.
• The first Bitcoin halving occurred in 2012, when the block reward was reduced from 50 BTC to 25 BTC. The second halving occurred in 2016, reducing the block reward to 12.5 BTC, and the most recent halving occurred in May 2020, reducing the block reward to 6.25 BTC.
• The purpose of Bitcoin halving is to control the rate of inflation and ensure that the total supply of Bitcoin does not exceed 21 million, which is the maximum number of Bitcoins that can ever exist.
• The halving events have historically been associated with significant price increases for Bitcoin, as the reduction in the block reward reduces the supply of new Bitcoin being introduced into the market, which can lead to an increase in demand and a corresponding increase in price.

Check out the BitPinas article on Bitcoin Halving.

Adoption and Mainstream Usage

Major Companies Accepting Bitcoin

Over the years, more companies have either started accepting Bitcoin as payment or entertained the idea in the past, including major players like Microsoft, Tesla, and PayPal, driving its mainstream adoption.

• Microstrategy is the first listed company to add Bitcoin to its treasury.

Bitcoin in Developing Countries

Bitcoin has found a foothold in developing countries, where it serves as a hedge against inflation, a means for remittances, and a tool for financial inclusion.

• In Venezuela, for example, hyperinflation has made the bolivar virtually worthless, leading many Venezuelans to turn to Bitcoin as a way to store value and access international markets.
• In Zimbabwe, where the local currency has also experienced high levels of inflation, Bitcoin has become a popular alternative for both remittances and online commerce.
• In Nigeria, Bitcoin has emerged as a means for young people to access financial services and participate in the global economy, particularly in the areas of online commerce and peer-to-peer lending.
• Some Argentinians turned to Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and a means of protecting their savings.
• El Salvador is the first country to declare Bitcoin as legal tender.
• Paraguay is becoming a Bitcoin mining hub despite some regulatory hurdles in 2022.

Bitcoin ATMs

The rise of Bitcoin ATMs has made it easier for people to buy and sell cryptocurrencies using cash or cards, further promoting accessibility and widespread adoption.

Check out BitPinas articles on Bitcoin ATMs.

Present Day

Bitcoin’s Market Value

It varies per crypto exchange but $69,000 is the generally accepted all-time high of Bitcoin hit on November 10, 2021. 

Competition and Alternatives

While Bitcoin remains the dominant cryptocurrency, numerous other digital assets have emerged, including Ether, XRP, BNB, ADA, and more. These alternatives, or “altcoins,” each bring unique features and use cases to the market. For example, while Bitcoin “as store of value” remains its biggest use case, for Ethereum, it’s about powering the decentralized web.

Future of Bitcoin

From its humble beginnings to its current status as a globally recognized cryptocurrency, Bitcoin’s history is filled with fascinating milestones and events. The journey of this pioneering digital currency has had a profound impact on the financial landscape, challenging traditional systems and paving the way for a new era of decentralized finance. Bitcoin’s historical achievements, without a doubt, have undoubtedly changed the world.

This article is published on BitPinas: Bitcoin Month: Origins and Key Milestones in Bitcoin’s History

Disclaimer: BitPinas articles and its external content are not financial advice. The team serves to deliver independent, unbiased news to provide information for Philippine-crypto and beyond.