Bitcoin Turns 17: From “Hacker Money” to Institutional Mainstay
Bitcoin celebrates its 17th anniversary, evolving from a fringe concept to a major institutional and political asset.Summary
Bitcoin marks its 17th anniversary since the publication of its whitepaper by Satoshi Nakamoto on October 31, 2008, signifying its transformation from "hacker money" to a pillar of global finance. This evolution is evidenced by massive institutional adoption, with entities like BlackRock holding significant circulating supply, and publicly listed firms owning over 725,000 BTC. Furthermore, Bitcoin has entered the political sphere, with leaders like Javier Milei in Argentina championing it against inflation, and Donald Trump accepting donations and pledging support for mining. Centralized entities, including governments and ETFs, now hold about 31% of the supply, cementing its status as a legitimate asset class, exemplified by El Salvador treating it as legal tender. Looking ahead, Bitcoin, trading near $110,000, is poised for further transformation through innovations like the Lightning Network, while maintaining its hard-capped supply of 21 million coins.
(Source：BeInCrypto)