Bitcoin (BTC) turns 16 this year, marking its evolution from an obscure experiment to a global financial asset. Since its launch in 2009, the cryptocurrency has redefined the concepts of money and decentralization, influencing technology, finance, and culture.
From the mystery surrounding its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, to its rise to become a store of value and payment system, Bitcoin’s story is unique. To celebrate this milestone, here are 16 key facts that highlight its impact and growth over the past 16 years.
1. Bitcoin Genesis Block Contained a Secret Message
On January 3, 2009, Bitcoin officially came into existence with the mining of its Genesis Block, or Block 0. Unlike later blocks, the Genesis Block was hard-coded into Bitcoin's source code and did not generate a reward in the cryptocurrency, a deliberate move by its mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Inserted into this block was an excerpt from The Times: “The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks.” This inclusion was both a timestamp and a critique of the traditional financial system, highlighting Bitcoin’s goal of decentralizing money.
Genesis Block. Source: Bitcointalk
Today, the Genesis Block remains an iconic part of Bitcoin’s history, often referenced in discussions about its origins and purpose. Its creation laid the foundation for 16 years of Bitcoin’s continued operation and growth, transforming it into a worldwide movement.
2. Satoshi Nakamoto sent 10 BTC to Hal Finney in the first transaction
On January 12, 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto made the first recorded Bitcoin transaction by sending 10 BTC to renowned computer scientist and cryptographer Hal Finney.
Finney, an early adopter and contributor to Bitcoin, had downloaded the software on the day of its launch and famously tweeted, “Running bitcoin,” on January 11, 2009.
3. Bitcoin's creator remains unknown to this day
Bitcoin’s creator, known only by his pseudonym, remains one of the biggest mysteries in the cryptocurrency world. In October 2008, Satoshi published the Bitcoin whitepaper, titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, which outlined the framework for a decentralized digital currency. Despite much speculation, no one has ever confirmed Satoshi’s true identity.
Satoshi communicated with early developers and enthusiasts through forums and email, helping to refine the network until he disappeared in April 2011. Some theories suggest that Satoshi is a single person, while others believe that it may be a group of developers working under the pseudonym.
Satoshi’s demise left the project in the hands of its community, fostering the decentralized ethos it embodies today. Whoever Satoshi was—or was—his vision created a technology that reshaped global finance.
4. The Bitcoin whitepaper is embedded in the blockchain
In 2013, an anonymous individual took a unique step to preserve Bitcoin’s origins by embedding the Bitcoin whitepaper directly into the cryptocurrency’s blockchain. This was done through a specific transaction that included the whitepaper’s text encoded as metadata.
The immutable design of the blockchain ensures that the Bitcoin whitepaper will always be available to anyone using the network. By adding the whitepaper to the blockchain, the individual has combined Bitcoin’s original ideas with the technology itself, showing the deep connection between the cryptocurrency’s creation and its decentralized system.
5. The first transaction in a new BTC block is called a coinbase transaction
The first transaction in each new Bitcoin block is known as a coinbase transaction. Unlike regular transactions, it has no inputs, as it generates new Bitcoins as a block reward for miners. This transaction includes both the block subsidy — currently 6.25 BTC after the 2024 halving — and any transaction fees for the block.
Interestingly, popular cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase derived its name from this term, paying homage to Bitcoin’s mechanism for creating new coins. While the term is specific to Bitcoin’s technical design, the exchange’s name reflects its connection to the fundamental blockchain process.
6. About 4 million BTC are lost forever
By 2025, an estimated 20% of all Bitcoin — roughly 4 million BTC — is inaccessible due to forgotten keys, lost hardware wallets, or lost account access. Most of this occurred in Bitcoin’s early years, when its value was low and proper storage practices were not widely understood.
Some users have forgotten their wallet passwords, while others have discarded old devices containing private keys, unaware of Bitcoin’s future potential. The infamous case of James Howells, who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 BTC in 2013, continues to make headlines as he funds massive landfill searches to recover the lost treasure.
7. 10,000 BTC spent on two pizzas in the first real transaction
On May 22, 2010, Bitcoin was used to purchase something in the real world for the first time. A programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 BTC for two pizzas, which cost around $40 at the time. Enthusiasts now celebrate this day annually as Bitcoin Pizza Day, highlighting an important moment in its history.
At the time, Bitcoin was worth almost nothing, but those 10,000 BTC are now worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The transaction took place via a Bitcoin forum, where Laszlo offered the coins in exchange for pizza. Another user took him up on the offer and ordered two Papa John’s pizzas for him.
8. Satoshi Nakamoto's fortune remains untouched
As of 2025, the estimated 1.1 million BTC mined by Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator remains untouched. Multiple wallets store these assets, worth an estimated $100 billion.
The mystery of Nakamoto's identity and dormant coins continue to fuel speculation about Bitcoin's origins. Some theorists believe the coins serve as a testament to Bitcoin's decentralized ethos, while others suggest Nakamoto's absence highlights the technology's independence from any central authority. This untouched fortune symbolizes Bitcoin's unique status as a truly trustless financial system.
9. The world's first statue of Satoshi Nakamoto is in Budapest
The world’s first statue honoring Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto stands at Graphisoft Park in Budapest, Hungary. Unveiled on September 16, 2021, the bronze sculpture features a hooded figure with a reflective, featureless face, symbolizing Nakamoto’s anonymity and allowing viewers to see themselves, embodying the idea that “we are all Satoshi.”
In October 2024, a “disappearing” statue of Satoshi Nakamoto was installed in Lugano, Switzerland. This unique artwork, located in front of Lugano’s Villa Ciani, features a faceless figure working on a laptop. Its design creates a transparency effect when viewed directly from the front or back, symbolizing Nakamoto’s elusive identity.
10. Bitcoin has appeared in popular movies
Bitcoin has become a popular topic in the media, appearing in films such as Dope (2015), where characters use Bitcoin for an online business, and in TV shows such as Billions and Mr. Robot, exploring its financial and revolutionary aspects.
Documentaries like Banking on Bitcoin (2016) and The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014) chronicle its origins and growing impact, while Cryptopia (2020) examines its place in the blockchain ecosystem.
Bitcoin has also appeared in pop culture, from The Simpsons humorously predicting its future to South Park portraying it as a dominant currency. These depictions highlight Bitcoin’s journey from a technological curiosity to a cultural phenomenon.
11. Bitcoin transaction successfully sent from the stratosphere
In August 2016, cryptocurrency mining company Genesis Mining conducted an experiment by sending the first Bitcoin transaction from space. Using a weather balloon equipped with a Bitcoin wallet and a 3D model of a Bitcoin, the payload reached an altitude of 34 kilometers (about 21 miles) into the stratosphere.
During the flight, the team successfully transmitted a Bitcoin transaction to the wallet onboard the weather balloon. This remarkable feat demonstrated Bitcoin’s resilience and its ability to operate independently of traditional infrastructure, even in extreme conditions. The experiment symbolized the limitless potential of decentralized technology, showing how Bitcoin can transcend geographic boundaries and connect users across the globe — and potentially beyond.
12. 60% of Bitcoin mining is now powered by renewable energy
Bitcoin mining, often criticized for its environmental impact, saw a shift toward sustainability in 2024. Renewable energy now powers about 60% of global Bitcoin mining operations, according to industry reports.
Mining companies are increasingly locating facilities near hydroelectric dams, solar farms, and wind power sources to reduce their carbon footprint and take advantage of lower energy costs. Bitcoin miners are also exploring innovative energy solutions, such as utilizing isolated natural gas or surplus power from the grid that would otherwise go to waste.
13. Over 95% of Bitcoin's supply has already been mined
Bitcoin’s protocol caps its supply at 21 million coins, creating scarcity similar to precious metals like gold. This fixed limit helps prevent inflation and makes Bitcoin a deflationary asset.
By 2025, over 19.9 million BTC had been mined, leaving less than 1.1 million coins to be created. This limited supply has contributed to Bitcoin’s status as “digital gold,” attracting investors seeking protection against inflation. Bitcoin’s scarcity is compounded by the fact that an estimated 20% of all BTC mined has been lost, locked in wallets with forgotten keys or inaccessible accounts.
14. Institutional Bitcoin Holdings Surpass Satoshi Nakamoto’s Hoard
By the end of 2024, institutional holdings of Bitcoin, primarily through spot ETFs, exceeded 1.1 million BTC, surpassing the holdings of Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator. This development highlights the growing institutional adoption of cryptocurrency as a legitimate asset class.
Major financial institutions including BlackRock and Fidelity have launched Bitcoin ETFs, attracting substantial investment and contributing to Bitcoin’s acceptance in mainstream finance.
15. Bitcoin Reserve Proposal Gains Momentum Worldwide
In late 2024, discussions about integrating Bitcoin into national reserves gained momentum, with both developed and emerging economies exploring its potential. In the US, lawmakers and financial experts have proposed allocating a portion of federal reserves to the asset, citing its limited supply and independence from centralized control as key advantages. Advocates argue that including Bitcoin could protect against the decline of dollar dominance and diversify reserve assets alongside traditional holdings like gold.
Meanwhile, emerging markets have taken concrete steps towards adopting Bitcoin for reserves. In Switzerland, policy proposals have urged the Swiss National Bank to diversify its reserves by including BTC. Similarly, Germany has seen discussions about the European Central Bank considering Bitcoin for its digital reserve strategies, driven by growing interest in decentralized alternatives.
16. Network resilience exceeds 16 years without interruptions
In 2025, Bitcoin reached an unprecedented milestone: over 16 years of continuous operation without a single moment of network downtime. This feat highlights the unparalleled reliability of the asset’s decentralized infrastructure, maintained by thousands of globally distributed nodes and miners.
Unlike centralized financial systems, which are prone to disruptions and cyberattacks, the network has demonstrated resilience against threats including major hacks, regulatory crackdowns, and technical challenges. Even during periods of high transaction volume, such as in late 2024 when BTC surpassed $100,000, the network continued to process transactions securely and efficiently.
The article 16 Facts About Bitcoin on Its 16th Birthday appeared first on BeInCrypto Brazil.
