In 2008, amidst a global financial crisis that shook confidence in the traditional banking system, a mysterious individual or group of individuals under the pseudonym 'Satoshi Nakamoto' published a research paper titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System. This paper introduced a new money system that does not rely on any central bank or financial institution, but rather depends on a new technology known as 'blockchain'.
In January 2009, the first block of Bitcoin, known as the 'Genesis Block', was mined. The currency was worth almost nothing at first, but over time, as awareness of its importance as a decentralized and inflation-resistant currency grew, its value began to rise. In 2010, a programmer bought pizza using 10,000 Bitcoins, in the first recorded purchase using the currency.
Over the years, Bitcoin has become a symbol of financial freedom for some, and a source of concern for governments and banks.
#For some others. Its value has fluctuated greatly, reaching record levels, attracting investors and speculators from around the world. While it remains controversial, Bitcoin remains one of the most impactful financial innovations of the twenty-first century.