16 Facts About Bitcoin on Its 16th Birthday
2025-01-03
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Bitcoin turns 16 this year, marking its evolution from an obscure experiment to a global financial asset. Since its launch in 2009, Bitcoin has redefined the concepts of money and decentralization, influencing technology, finance, and culture.
From the mystery surrounding its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, to becoming a store of value and payment system, Bitcoin’s story is unlike any other. To honor 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 hardcoded into Bitcoin’s source code and rewarded no spendable BTC, a deliberate move by its mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Embedded within this block was a text 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, stressing Bitcoin’s goal of decentralizing money.
Today, the Genesis Block remains an iconic part of Bitcoin’s history, often referenced in discussions about its origins and purpose. Its creation set the foundation for Bitcoin’s 16 years of nonstop operation and growth, turning it into a worldwide movement.
2. Satoshi Nakamoto Sent 10 BTC to Hal Finney in Bitcoin’s First Transaction
On January 12, 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto conducted the first recorded Bitcoin transaction by sending 10 BTC to renowned computer scientist and cryptographer Hal Finney. 
Finney, an early Bitcoin adopter and contributor, had downloaded the software on its release day and famously tweeted, “Running bitcoin,” on January 11, 2009. 
3. Bitcoin’s Creator Remains Unknown to This Day
Bitcoin’s creator, known only by the pseudonym, remains one of the greatest mysteries of the cryptocurrency world. In October 2008, Satoshi published the Bitcoin whitepaper, titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, which described the framework for a decentralized digital currency. Despite extensive speculation, no one has ever confirmed Satoshi’s true identity.
Satoshi communicated with early Bitcoin developers and enthusiasts via forums and email, helping refine the network until disappearing in April 2011. Some theories suggest Satoshi is a single person, while others believe it could be a group of developers working under the alias.
Satoshi’s disappearance left the project in the hands of its community, fostering the decentralized ethos it embodies today. Whoever Satoshi is — or was — their 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 entire Bitcoin whitepaper directly into the Bitcoin blockchain. This was done through a specific transaction that included the text of the whitepaper encoded as metadata.
The blockchain’s unchangeable design guarantees that the Bitcoin whitepaper will always be available to anyone using the network. By adding the whitepaper to the blockchain, the individual 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 every new Bitcoin block is known as a coinbase transaction. Unlike regular transactions, it doesn’t have any inputs, as it generates new Bitcoin 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 from the block.
Interestingly, the 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 foundational process of the blockchain.
6. About 4 Million BTC Are Lost Forever
As of 2025, an estimated 20% of all Bitcoin — roughly 4 million BTC —is inaccessible due to forgotten keys, misplaced hardware wallets, or lost account access. Most of this occurred during Bitcoin’s early years, when its value was low, and proper storage practices were not widely understood.
Some users forgot passwords to their wallets, while others 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 with 8,000 BTC in 2013, continues to make headlines as he funds massive landfill searches to recover the lost treasure.
7. 10,000 Bitcoin Spent on Two Pizzas in First Real Transaction
On May 22, 2010, Bitcoin was used to buy something in the real world for the first time. A programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 BTC for two pizzas, which cost about $40 at the time. Crypto enthusiasts now celebrate this day every year as Bitcoin Pizza Day, highlighting an important moment in its history.
Back then, Bitcoin was worth almost nothing, but those 10,000 BTC are now worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The transaction happened through a Bitcoin forum, where Laszlo offered the coins in exchange for pizza. Another user accepted 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 holdings, worth around $100 billion.
The mystery of Nakamoto’s identity and the dormant coins continues to fuel speculation about Bitcoin’s origins. Some theorists believe the coins serve as a testament to the decentralized ethos of Bitcoin, 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. World’s First Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stands in Budapest
The world’s first statue honoring Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, stands in Graphisoft Park, Budapest, Hungary. Unveiled on September 16, 2021, the bronze sculpture features a hooded figure with a reflective, featureless face, symbolizing the anonymity of Nakamoto 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, presents a faceless figure working on a laptop. Its design creates a see-through effect when viewed directly from the front or rear, symbolizing Nakamoto’s elusive identity.
10. Bitcoin Appeared in Popular Movies
Bitcoin has become a popular theme in media, featured in movies like Dope (2015), where characters use Bitcoin for an online business, and TV shows like 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 depicting it as a dominant currency. These portrayals highlight Bitcoin’s journey from a tech curiosity to a cultural phenomenon.
11. Bitcoin Transaction Successfully Sent from the Stratosphere
In August 2016, the 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) in the stratosphere.
During the flight, the team successfully transmitted a Bitcoin transaction to the wallet aboard the weather balloon. This remarkable achievement 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, showcasing how Bitcoin could transcend geographic boundaries and connect users across the globe — and potentially beyond.
12. 60% of Bitcoin Mining Now Powered by Renewable Energy
Bitcoin mining, often criticized for its environmental impact, has seen a shift toward sustainability in 2024. Renewable energy now powers an estimated 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 capitalize on lower energy costs. Bitcoin miners are also exploring innovative energy solutions, such as utilizing stranded natural gas or excess grid energy that would otherwise go to waste.
13. Over 95% of Bitcoin’s Supply Is Already Mined
Bitcoin’s protocol caps its supply at 21 million coins, creating scarcity similar to precious metals like gold. This fixed limit helps to prevent inflation and makes Bitcoin a deflationary asset.
As of 2025, over 19.9 million BTC have been mined, leaving fewer than 1.1 million coins to be created. This limited supply has contributed to Bitcoin’s status as “digital gold,” attracting investors looking for a hedge against inflation. Bitcoin’s scarcity increases because people have lost an estimated 20% of all mined BTC, locking it in wallets with forgotten keys or inaccessible accounts.
14. Institutional Bitcoin Holdings Surpass Satoshi Nakamoto’s Stash
By the end of 2024, institutional holdings of Bitcoin, primarily through spot ETFs, exceeded 1.1 million BTC, surpassing the estimated 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 investments and contributing to the mainstream acceptance of Bitcoin in traditional finance.
15. Bitcoin Reserve Proposal Gains Traction 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 proposed allocating a portion of federal reserves to Bitcoin, citing its capped supply and independence from centralized control as key advantages. Advocates argue that including Bitcoin could hedge against declining dollar dominance and diversify reserve assets, alongside traditional holdings like gold.
Meanwhile, emerging markets have taken tangible steps toward Bitcoin adoption in reserves. In Switzerland, political proposals have urged the Swiss National Bank to diversify its reserves by including BTC. Advocates argue that its capped supply and decentralization offer a unique hedge against currency devaluation and global economic instability.
Similarly, Germany has seen discussions about the European Central Bank considering Bitcoin for its digital reserve strategies, prompted by rising interest in decentralized alternatives.
16. Bitcoin’s Network Resilience Surpasses 16 Years Without Downtime
In 2025, Bitcoin achieved an unprecedented milestone: over 16 years of continuous operation without a single moment of network downtime. This accomplishment underscores the unparalleled reliability of Bitcoin’s decentralized infrastructure, maintained by thousands of nodes and miners distributed across the globe.
Unlike centralized financial systems that are prone to outages and cyberattacks, the network has demonstrated resilience against threats, including large-scale hacks, regulatory crackdowns, and technical challenges. Even during times of high transaction volume, such as in late 2024 when BTC surpassed $100,000, the network continued to process transactions securely and efficiently.