⏰ when

When Was the First Cryptocurrency Created?

Quick Answer

Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency, was introduced in a 2008 whitepaper and launched in January 2009.

The Full Story

On 31 October 2008 an anonymous figure using the name Satoshi Nakamoto published the Bitcoin whitepaper, proposing a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. The Bitcoin network went live on 3 January 2009 when Nakamoto mined the genesis block, embedding a Times headline about bank bailouts. The first known commercial transaction came in May 2010, when 10,000 BTC were used to buy two pizzas. Bitcoin's market cap has since exceeded $1 trillion, spawning thousands of alternative cryptocurrencies.

Key Facts

1.Satoshi Nakamoto's true identity remains unknown.

2.The 10,000 BTC pizza purchase would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars at peak prices.

3.Bitcoin's supply is capped at 21 million coins.

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