Sixteen years ago, on October 31, 2008, the $BTC white paper was published by Satoshi Nakamoto, marking the birth of the first cryptocurrency. The document, titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System,” is a nine-page white paper that outlined the vision of a decentralized, peer-to-peer payment network without the need for intermediaries like banks.

This white paper explained the technical foundations of Bitcoin, such as the blockchain technology that ensures transparency and security, and the proof-of-work mechanism that maintains the network. Satoshi Nakamoto’s paper introduced the concept of a decentralized ledger, which would enable direct transactions between users, laying the groundwork for a transformative financial system.

In January 2009, just a few months after the white paper’s release, the Bitcoin network went live with the mining of the first block, known as the genesis block. By April 2011, Satoshi Nakamoto, whose true identity remains unknown, ceased communications, leaving behind a lasting legacy that has since grown into a trillion-dollar industry. This mysterious departure added to the intrigue surrounding Bitcoin and has led to years of speculation about Satoshi's identity. #whitepaperday #bitcoin☀️