The Origins of Bitcoin: A Digital Currency Revolution

A mysterious individual known as Satoshi Nakamoto delivered the email that popularized Bitcoin. Satoshi laid out the fundamental principles and goals of Bitcoin in this email, which eventually served as the blueprint for the groundwork for the ground-breaking digital currency that has completely changed the financial and technological landscape. Let’s examine the changes that Bitcoin … Read more

Bitcoin History: When DDoS Attacks Made BTC’s Price Drop

As anyone who has read the Bitcoin History series (or lived through the period in question) will know, the Bitcointalk forum was the crucible of debate in the early days. What’s less known is that – to quote one poster – “DDoSing this forum coincided with dumps on the then dominant Bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox.” … Read more

Bitcoin History Part 24: Celebrating the First Halving in 2012

As the third Bitcoin halvening approaches, a handful of OGs will wistfully recall the first such event, which occurred in November 2012. Back then, following the completion of block 210,000, the mining reward halved from 50 to 25 BTC. To commemorate the milestone, early adopters threw parties throughout the world, from Tel Aviv and Macau … Read more

Bitcoin History Part 21: Miners Pour One out for Satoshi

There are a few ways of looking at bitcoin mining. As an ostensibly selfish enterprise, wherein miners are seeking to extract precious coins for profit. And as a community of individuals who envisage a better way of generating, handling and using money, and are motivated to secure the Bitcoin network. The truth is probably somewhere … Read more

Bitcoin History Part 17: That Time Mt. Gox Destroyed 2,609 BTC

Technically speaking, it’s impossible to destroy bitcoins. But it is possible to send coins to an unspendable address, rendering them redundant to all intents and purposes. In October 2011, that’s exactly what Mark Karpeles did when he consigned 2,609 BTC to eternal oblivion due to a scripting error. Also read: Bitcoin History Part 16: The … Read more