If calculated by human time, today, January 4, 2025 (Beijing time), is exactly Bitcoin's 16th birthday. Because the official launch time of the Bitcoin mainnet on January 3, 2009, is not Beijing time. If calculated according to Beijing time, the official launch time of the Bitcoin mainnet is January 4, 2009. However, this is not important because there is no concept of time in Bitcoin, only blocks. The Bitcoin system has transcended the concept of time, extending from Block 0, as long as there is one mining machine working, as long as there is one computer running, Bitcoin will exist forever.
From 2009 to 2025, this world has undergone tremendous changes, some getting better and some getting worse. Everyone is being swept forward by this era, whether forced or voluntarily, adapting to this torrent woven from technological, economic, and social changes. Some choose to embrace change, some choose to resist, and some even choose to escape. But the existence of Bitcoin is like a lamp, illuminating a different path. It does not care about the passage of time or secular evaluations; it only cares about the authenticity and transparency of each transaction, and the participation and verification of each node.
This era is indeed changing too quickly, fast enough to leave people breathless. Technology is advancing, the economy is fluctuating, and society is splitting. We seem to have more choices than ever before, but it is also easier to lose our direction. In such an era, the meaning of Bitcoin may not just be an asset; it is more like a hope, a declaration — telling us that individuals can find their own power and place outside of the system. From today's block back to Bitcoin's Block 0, it still records Satoshi Nakamoto's 'message', which is eternally engraved in the Bitcoin network, condensed in everyone's consensus, even more permanently than words carved in stone.
"The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks." (January 3, 2009, the Chancellor was on the brink of implementing a second round of emergency aid for banks) This line of text is the starting point of Bitcoin, and it is Satoshi Nakamoto's thought-provoking question to the world, the answer to which is self-evident. The Bitcoin white paper is the best answer; it is not a lengthy thesis or an impassioned declaration, but a series of concise texts and exquisite codes. It tells us that technology can reshape trust, individuals can break free from reliance on centralized institutions, and finance can become more transparent and fair.
The birth of Bitcoin is not only a challenge to the traditional financial system but also an exploration of a completely new possibility. The line left by Satoshi Nakamoto is like a seed, buried in Bitcoin's genesis block.
As time goes by, this seed takes root and sprouts, growing into a decentralized forest. Every transaction, every block, every mining machine is a part of this forest, together constructing a financial system that does not require trust in third parties. Satoshi Nakamoto did not directly tell us what the future would be like, but he pointed us to a path through action and code. And this code is the starting point of this path. It reminds us that the answer to the question is often hidden in the question itself — when we question the flaws of the existing system, new possibilities are quietly taking shape. The story of Bitcoin begins with this line of text. And its future will be jointly written by every participant.
1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa, this is the first address of the Bitcoin network, known as the 'Genesis Address'. It can be confirmed 100% that this is definitely Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin address. Although Satoshi Nakamoto has not revealed himself, this address has become a 'holy land' in the hearts of countless people. This address contains 50 Bitcoins, which were the first reward mined at the birth of the Bitcoin network. Although these Bitcoins have never been moved, their existence serves as a lighthouse, reminding everyone of Bitcoin's starting point. This address is not just a wallet; it is more like a time capsule, preserving Satoshi Nakamoto's vision and the original purity of Bitcoin. Many people also send Bitcoin to this address as a ritual filled with spiritual significance. I was once one of them; every January 4th, I would send Bitcoin worth 1 dollar at the time to the 'Genesis Address'.
Currently, this address holds over 100 Bitcoins, all from other users of the Bitcoin network. It can even be said that Bitcoins sent to this address are almost equivalent to being 'destroyed'. Many have attempted to decipher the secrets of this address, and some even speculate that Satoshi Nakamoto will use these Bitcoins one day in the future. But regardless of outside speculation, this address quietly lies on the blockchain, as if telling an unfinished story. Its existence is both a witness to Bitcoin's history and a great reference for Bitcoin's security, as well as a certain metaphor for the future — the fate of Bitcoin ultimately rests in the hands of every participant. A fun fact: you can even visit https://1a1zp1ep5qgefi2dmptftl5slmv7divfna.com to see that the Bitcoin white paper is still posted there. This can also be considered a tribute to a certain cyberpunk style. This website is my story of Bitcoin, which is far from over; its significance is beyond imagination. It is not only a technological miracle but also humanity's eternal pursuit of freedom and trust. Just like the line engraved in the genesis block, it will always remind us: the answer to the question is often hidden within the question itself. And Bitcoin is the most profound answer of this era.