What Is 21e8?

If you’ve spent much time on crypto Twitter within the past couple of days, you may have seen some discussion and even hysteria regarding a recently-mined block. Block #528249’s six leading characters were “21e800”, a phrase that has grabbed the attention of conspiracists and curious individuals throughout the cryptocurrency space. “An Exceptionally Simple Theory of … Read more

Why the Cryptosphere Is Losing Its Mind Over This 18-Digit Number

00000000000000000021e800 – that’s 18 zeros followed by 21e8 and another two zeros – doesn’t look particularly remarkable. Nor does 00000000000000000021e800c1e8df51b22c1588e5a624bea17e9faa34b2dc4a, which is the complete hash it’s associated with. And yet this series of numbers and letters has sent the cryptosphere into overdrive, sparking talk of quantum computing breakthroughs, time travel, Satoshi’s return, and the hidden … Read more

The Bitcoin Cash Chain Has Less Than Two Years Until the Reward Halving

The Bitcoin Cash (BCH) blockchain is now less than two years away from its next block reward halving. Current statistics show the BCH chain will halve its reward from 12.5 BCH to 6.25 BCH on or around April 6, 2020, and with more than 80 percent of BCH now in circulation, when the next halving … Read more

No, There Isn’t Child Porn on the Bitcoin Blockchain

Anyone swiping through the tech news on their tablet this week may have been startled by an unsavory story. Child pornography (CP) is permanently encoded in the bitcoin blockchain accoriding to mainstream media reports, making anyone who downloads the blockchain guilty of accessing CP. Not only is this old news, but it’s fake news. Understanding … Read more

$500 Million Has Been Mistakenly Sent to Ethereum’s Genesis Address

Genesis blocks hold a symbolism that’s almost spiritual. They represent the birth of a new cryptocurrency, and when that currency flourishes, its foundation stone – the maiden block to have been mined –  is referenced reverentially. Ethereum’s first address is a memorable one: 0x followed by 40 zeroes. It’s also a dangerous one that has … Read more

We’ve Come A Long Way – Bitcoin Block Zero Was Born Nine Years Ago Today

On this day nine years ago, quietly, bitcoin and its blockchain network were birthed with block zero, the Genesis Block. Without government permission or wealthy backers, it has generated a quarter trillion in value. In combination with the resultant industry it spawned, comprising thousands of alternatives, cryptocurrency is a seven hundred billion dollar market. Nearly … Read more

People Keep Sending Satoshi Nakamoto Bitcoin

Satoshi Nakamoto is the original hodler, having left the bulk of his coins unmoved since day one. The theoretical wealth of bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator is a hot topic, and one that the mainstream media are especially fond of pondering. In recent weeks, bitcoin’s record highs have propelled Satoshi into the billionaire league, making him one … Read more