17 years of Bitcoin: how the genesis block launched the crypto industry
Exactly 17 years ago, on January 3, 2009, the Bitcoin network was launched and its first — genesis block was mined. This moment is considered the starting point of the entire cryptocurrency industry.
The network’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, received the first 50 BTC and left a hidden message in the block’s hash — a headline from The Times newspaper: “Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks.” This was not merely a note, but a direct reference to the fragile financial system, bank bailouts funded by taxpayers, and the uncontrolled money printing that erodes ordinary people’s savings.
Later, Satoshi disappeared, leaving no central authority or owner. Bitcoin passed into the hands of the community and has since evolved as a fully decentralized monetary system independent from governments and corporations.
