Satoshi Nakamoto's footsteps, the significance of the release of Bitcoin v0.1 seventeen years ago

January 21, 2026, reflects on the history of January 17, 2009, exactly 17 years ago from today. It was the day Satoshi Nakamoto released the Bitcoin client v0.1 alpha version to the world. This day marked more than just a software release; it was the event that signaled the practical beginning of a decentralized currency system.

An Open Network Implementation Accessible to Everyone

The most significant feature of Satoshi Nakamoto’s v0.1 version is that it was designed to allow individuals to operate nodes independently on their own computers. Unlike previous centralized systems, it was revolutionary in realizing a structure where anyone could participate in the network. The Bitcoin 0.1.0 source code included an IRC client, a messaging protocol, to simplify message transmission, enabling smooth communication among early nodes.

Traces of Experimental Features in the Early Version

The first version of Bitcoin contained interesting features that are not present in its current form. For example, a framework for creating virtual poker games was included in v0.1.0. This feature was added in the Bitcoin version on April 16, 2008, but was eventually completely removed in version 0.8.2. This demonstrates that Satoshi Nakamoto initially explored various potential uses of blockchain technology, and decisions were made to focus on core functionalities during the technological development process.

The Legacy Left Over 17 Years

Bitcoin v0.1, released by Satoshi Nakamoto 17 years ago, was not just an alpha version. It was an experimental implementation that laid the foundation for the entire current blockchain ecosystem and was the first step in demonstrating the potential of decentralized networks. Although early features were removed and the code evolved, the essence of open participation and decentralized operation has been inherited by Bitcoin and all subsequent blockchain projects.