Bitcoin is celebrating its 16th anniversary this year, having transformed from an obscure experiment into a global financial asset. The cryptocurrency has had a significant impact on technology, finance, and culture since its launch in 2009. The Genesis Block, Bitcoin's first block, was hardcoded into its source code and included a message criticizing the traditional financial system. Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin's creator, remains a mystery, and their identity has never been confirmed. Over 4 million BTC, approximately 20% of all Bitcoin, is inaccessible due to lost or forgotten keys. Bitcoin's first real-world transaction occurred in 2010 when 10,000 BTC was used to buy two pizzas. The estimated 1.1 million BTC believed to be held by Nakamoto remains untouched. Bitcoin has become a prominent theme in media and pop culture and has been featured in movies, TV shows, and documentaries. The first Bitcoin transaction from space took place in 2016, demonstrating Bitcoin's resilience and independence from traditional infrastructure. Bitcoin mining has become more sustainable, with 60% of global mining operations powered by renewable energy. Bitcoin's limited supply of 21 million coins, making it a deflationary asset, has contributed to its status as digital gold. Institutional holdings of Bitcoin have surpassed the estimated holdings of Nakamoto. Discussions about integrating Bitcoin into national reserves have gained momentum in both developed and emerging economies. Bitcoin has achieved over 16 years of continuous operation without any network downtime, highlighting its reliability and resilience as a decentralized financial system.



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