Bitcoin.onlThe permanent Bitcoin archive
BITCOIN.ONL · THE TIMELINE · 2008–2025

Bitcoin, as it happened.

From an email to a cryptography list to a global network. 30 turning points, each quoted exactly as it appeared in the original source: the email, the forum post, the statement, the block itself.

Scroll through history
2008The paper
Oct 31, 2008 · Satoshi

The whitepaper is announced

An unknown author sends a nine-page paper to a cryptography mailing list.

Read the full email →Original source ↗
Email · mailing listFri Oct 31 18:10:00 UTC 2008
2009Genesis
Jan 3, 2009 · Network

The genesis block

Block 0 is mined. Its coinbase carries a newspaper headline, still readable in the raw data today.

Verify block 0 ↗
Raw blockchain dataJanuary 3, 2009 · 18:15:05 UTC
block 0
time January 3, 2009 · 18:15:05 UTC
hash 000000000019d6689c085ae165831e934ff763ae46a2a6c172b3f1b60a8ce26f
The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks
Jan 8, 2009 · Satoshi

Bitcoin v0.1 is released

The software ships to the same mailing list, ten weeks after the paper.

Read the release email →
Email · mailing listThu Jan 8 19:27:40 UTC 2009
Jan 11, 2009 · Culture

“Running bitcoin”

Hal Finney, one of the first people to run the software, posts two words.

See the original post ↗
Post on TwitterJanuary 11, 2009
Hal Finney @halfin

Running bitcoin

January 11, 2009
Jan 12, 2009 · Network

The first Bitcoin transaction

Satoshi sends 10 BTC to Hal Finney in block 170, the first transfer between two people.

Verify the transaction ↗
Raw blockchain dataJanuary 12, 2009 · 03:30:25 UTC
block 170
time January 12, 2009 · 03:30:25 UTC
txid f4184fc596403b9d638783cf57adfe4c75c605f6356fbc91338530e9831e9e16
outputs: 10.00000000 BTC → Hal Finney · 40.00000000 BTC → change
Feb 11, 2009 · Satoshi

Bitcoin goes public

Satoshi introduces Bitcoin beyond the cryptography list, on the P2P Foundation forum.

Read the post →
Forum postFebruary 11, 2009, 10:27:00 PM UTC
Topic: Bitcoin open source implementation of P2P currency
Satoshi Nakamoto
« on: February 11, 2009, 10:27:00 PM UTC »
I've developed a new open source P2P e-cash system called Bitcoin. It's completely decentralized, with no central server or trusted parties, because everything is based on crypto proof instead of trust.
Nov 22, 2009 · Culture

The Bitcoin Forum opens

Satoshi opens a dedicated forum. It later moves to bitcointalk.org and becomes the community’s home.

Read the welcome post →
Forum postNovember 22, 2009, 06:04:28 PM UTC
Topic: Welcome to the new Bitcoin forum!
satoshi
« on: November 22, 2009, 06:04:28 PM UTC »
Welcome to the new Bitcoin forum!
2010First economy
Jan 15, 2010 · Markets & policy

The first exchange is announced

A forum member, dwdollar, starts building Bitcoin Market, where people can buy and sell bitcoins with each other.

See the post on bitcointalk.org ↗
Forum postJanuary 15, 2010, 09:42:18 AM UTC
Topic: New exchange (Bitcoin Market)
dwdollar
« on: January 15, 2010, 09:42:18 AM UTC »
Hi everyone. I'm in the process of building an exchange. I have big plans for it, but I still have a lot of work to do. It will be a real market where people will be able to buy and sell Bitcoins with each other.
Post later edited by its author; shown as it reads today.
May 22, 2010 · Culture

Bitcoin Pizza Day

Laszlo Hanyecz offers 10,000 BTC for two pizzas, and four days later someone takes the deal.

See the thread on bitcointalk.org ↗
Forum postMay 18, 2010, 12:35:20 AM UTC
Topic: Pizza for bitcoins?
laszlo
« on: May 18, 2010, 12:35:20 AM UTC »
I'll pay 10,000 bitcoins for a couple of pizzas.. like maybe 2 large ones so I have some left over for the next day.
laszlo
« on: May 22, 2010, 07:17:26 PM UTC »
I just want to report that I successfully traded 10,000 bitcoins for pizza.
Jul 18, 2010 · Markets & policy

Mt. Gox opens

Jed McCaleb turns a dormant trading-card domain into a bitcoin exchange. Within three years it handles most of the world’s bitcoin trading.

See the post on bitcointalk.org ↗
Forum postJuly 18, 2010, 01:57:19 AM UTC
Topic: New Bitcoin Exchange (mtgox.com)
mtgox
« on: July 18, 2010, 01:57:19 AM UTC »
Hi Everyone, I just put up a new bitcoin exchange. Please let me know what you think.
Post later edited by its author; shown as it reads today.
Aug 15, 2010 · Network

The value overflow bug

A transaction creates 184 billion BTC out of thin air. Satoshi raises the alarm and ships a fix within hours.

Read the alert →
Email · mailing listSun Aug 15 20:38:33 UTC 2010
Dec 5, 2010 · Satoshi

“No, don’t bring it on”

As WikiLeaks loses its payment processors, forum members urge it to take bitcoin. Satoshi pushes back.

Read the post →
Forum postDecember 5, 2010, 09:08:08 AM UTC
Topic: Re: Wikileaks contact info?
satoshi
« on: December 5, 2010, 09:08:08 AM UTC »
No, don't "bring it on".
Dec 11, 2010 · Satoshi

“The swarm is headed towards us”

PC World links Bitcoin to WikiLeaks. One of Satoshi’s last public posts.

Read the post →
Forum postDecember 11, 2010, 11:39:16 PM UTC
Topic: Re: PC World Article on Bitcoin
satoshi
« on: December 11, 2010, 11:39:16 PM UTC »
It would have been nice to get this attention in any other context.  WikiLeaks has kicked the hornet's nest, and the swarm is headed towards us.
Dec 12, 2010 · Satoshi

Satoshi’s last forum post

A routine release note for version 0.3.19, and then silence on the forum.

Read the last post →
Forum postDecember 12, 2010, 06:22:33 PM UTC
Topic: Added some DoS limits, removed safe mode (0.3.19)
satoshi
« on: December 12, 2010, 06:22:33 PM UTC »
There's more work to do on DoS, but I'm doing a quick build of what I have so far in case it's needed, before venturing into more complex ideas.  The build for this is version 0.3.19.
2011Growing pains
Jun 19, 2011 · Markets & policy

Mt. Gox’s flash crash

A compromised account dumps its coins and the price briefly falls to a cent. Mt. Gox halts trading and rolls the trades back.

See the archived notice ↗
Official statementJune 2011
Mt. Gox Support Desk

Huge Bitcoin sell off due to a compromised account - rollback

The bitcoin will be back to around 17.5$/BTC after we rollback all trades that have happened after the huge Bitcoin sale that happened on June 20th near 3:00am (JST).

2012Growing pains
Nov 28, 2012 · Network

The first halving

At block 210,000 the new-coin reward drops from 50 to 25 BTC, exactly as the code scheduled in 2009.

Verify block 210,000 ↗
Raw blockchain dataNovember 28, 2012 · 15:24:38 UTC
block 210,000
time November 28, 2012 · 15:24:38 UTC
hash 000000000000048b95347e83192f69cf0366076336c639f9b7228e9ba171342e
block subsidy: 50 BTC → 25 BTC
2013Growing pains
Mar 11, 2013 · Network

The 2013 chain split

A block too large for older software splits the network in two. Developers and miners coordinate to rejoin it within hours.

Read BIP 50 ↗
Bitcoin Improvement ProposalWhat went wrong

BIP 50: March 2013 Chain Fork Post-Mortem

A block that had a larger number of total transaction inputs than previously seen was mined and broadcasted. Bitcoin 0.8 nodes were able to handle this, but some pre-0.8 Bitcoin nodes rejected it, causing an unexpected fork of the blockchain.

Oct 25, 2013 · Markets & policy

Silk Road’s bitcoins are seized

Weeks after the FBI shuts down the Silk Road marketplace, prosecutors announce the seizure of its operator’s bitcoins.

See the archived press release ↗
Official statementOctober 25, 2013
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Seizure Of Additional $28 Million Worth Of Bitcoins Belonging To Ross William Ulbricht

…today announced the unsealing of a protective order authorizing the seizure of approximately 144,336 Bitcoins found on computer hardware belonging to ROSS WILLIAM ULBRICHT…

2014Growing pains
Feb 28, 2014 · Markets & policy

Mt. Gox collapses

Once the largest bitcoin exchange, Mt. Gox files for bankruptcy protection in Tokyo after bitcoins and customer funds go missing.

See the archived announcement (PDF) ↗
Official statementFebruary 28, 2014
MtGox Co., Ltd.

Announcement regarding an application for commencement of a procedure of civil rehabilitation

MtGox Co., Ltd. made today an application for commencement of a procedure of civil rehabilitation (minji saisei) at the Tokyo District Court. This application was accepted on the same day.

Mar 7, 2014 · Satoshi

“I am not Dorian Nakamoto.”

After a magazine names the wrong man, five words appear from Satoshi’s long-dormant P2P Foundation account.

Read the post and its caveat →
Forum postMarch 7, 2014, 01:17:00 AM UTC
Topic: Bitcoin open source implementation of P2P currency
Satoshi Nakamoto
« on: March 7, 2014, 01:17:00 AM UTC »
I am not Dorian Nakamoto.
2016Scaling
Jul 9, 2016 · Network

The second halving

Block 420,000 cuts the new-coin reward from 25 to 12.5 BTC.

Verify block 420,000 ↗
Raw blockchain dataJuly 9, 2016 · 16:46:13 UTC
block 420,000
time July 9, 2016 · 16:46:13 UTC
hash 000000000000000002cce816c0ab2c5c269cb081896b7dcb34b8422d6b74ffa1
block subsidy: 25 BTC → 12.5 BTC
2017Scaling
Aug 1, 2017 · Network

Bitcoin Cash splits off

After the block-size debate, a group of miners and developers forks off to create Bitcoin Cash with larger blocks. Block 478,558 is the last block both chains share.

Verify block 478,558 ↗
Raw blockchain dataAugust 1, 2017 · 13:16:14 UTC
block 478,558
time August 1, 2017 · 13:16:14 UTC
hash 0000000000000000011865af4122fe3b144e2cbeea86142e8ff2fb4107352d43
last block shared by Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash
Aug 24, 2017 · Network

SegWit activates

After two years of debate over how to scale, Segregated Witness activates at block 481,824.

Read BIP 141 ↗
Bitcoin Improvement ProposalAbstract

BIP 141: Segregated Witness (Consensus layer)

This BIP defines a new structure called a "witness" that is committed to blocks separately from the transaction merkle tree. This structure contains data required to check transaction validity but not required to determine transaction effects. In particular, scripts and signatures are moved into this new structure.

2018Scaling
Sep 20, 2018 · Network

A critical bug, fixed in time

Developers disclose that a bug could have let someone create bitcoin out of thin air. It was patched before anyone used it on the main network.

Read the disclosure ↗
Official statementSeptember 20, 2018
Bitcoin Core

CVE-2018-17144 Full Disclosure

CVE-2018-17144, a fix for which was released on September 18th in Bitcoin Core versions 0.16.3 and 0.17.0rc4, includes both a Denial of Service component and a critical inflation vulnerability.

2020Mainstream
May 11, 2020 · Network

The third halving

Block 630,000 cuts the reward from 12.5 to 6.25 BTC.

Verify block 630,000 ↗
Raw blockchain dataMay 11, 2020 · 19:23:43 UTC
block 630,000
time May 11, 2020 · 19:23:43 UTC
hash 000000000000000000024bead8df69990852c202db0e0097c1a12ea637d7e96d
block subsidy: 12.5 BTC → 6.25 BTC
2021Mainstream
Jun 9, 2021 · Markets & policy

El Salvador adopts bitcoin

El Salvador’s Congress makes bitcoin legal tender, the first country to do so. The law takes effect that September.

See the original post ↗
Post on TwitterJune 9, 2021
Nayib Bukele @nayibbukele

The #BitcoinLaw has been approved by a supermajority in the Salvadoran Congress. 62 out of 84 votes! History! #Btc🇸🇻

June 9, 2021
Nov 14, 2021 · Network

Taproot activates

Bitcoin’s biggest upgrade since SegWit activates at block 709,632, bringing Schnorr signatures and more private, flexible spending rules.

Read BIP 341 ↗
Bitcoin Improvement ProposalAbstract

BIP 341: Taproot: SegWit version 1 spending rules

This document proposes a new SegWit version 1 output type, with spending rules based on Taproot, Schnorr signatures, and Merkle branches.

2024Mainstream
Jan 10, 2024 · Markets & policy

Spot bitcoin ETFs are approved

The U.S. SEC approves the first spot bitcoin exchange-traded products.

Read the statement on sec.gov ↗
Official statementJanuary 10, 2024
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Statement on the Approval of Spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Products

Today, the Commission approved the listing and trading of a number of spot bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) shares.

Apr 20, 2024 · Network

The fourth halving

Block 840,000 cuts the reward to 3.125 BTC. Four halvings down, 29 to go before new coins stop.

Verify block 840,000 ↗
Raw blockchain dataApril 20, 2024 · 00:09:27 UTC
block 840,000
time April 20, 2024 · 00:09:27 UTC
hash 0000000000000000000320283a032748cef8227873ff4872689bf23f1cda83a5
block subsidy: 6.25 BTC → 3.125 BTC
2025Mainstream
Mar 6, 2025 · Markets & policy

A U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

An executive order directs the U.S. government to hold the bitcoin it has seized rather than sell it.

Read the order in the Federal Register ↗
Official statementMarch 6, 2025
Executive Order 14233

Establishment of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and United States Digital Asset Stockpile

Bitcoin is the original cryptocurrency. The Bitcoin protocol permanently caps the total supply of bitcoin (BTC) at 21 million coins, and has never been hacked.

✓
Verify, don’t trust

Every quote links to its original source, and block data links to a public block explorer. Satoshi’s emails and posts are preserved in full in the archive.

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