From One Block to a Global Movement Redefining Wealth & Freedom
Celebrating 16 Years of Satoshi and Remembering Hal Finney
16 Years Ago Today the World Changed Forever
January 9, 2009: This is the day Bitcoin officially came to life.
Sixteen years ago, the world quietly crossed a threshold that most people didn’t notice at the time. But for those of us who’ve been paying attention, this date now stands as a pivotal moment in history—when an idea, born out of frustration with the old system, became a functioning, revolutionary technology.
For those of you already on this orange-pill journey with us at Wealth Matters 3.0, you know the significance of this milestone. For those who are newer to the conversation, skeptical but curious, or ready to be serious but scared or overwhelmed with how and where to get started, let me take you back to that historic moment—and why it matters just as much (if not more) in 2025, and why the best time to get in (and off zero as your allocation), is now!
NOTE: This is not financial advice and is for educational purposes only. You should continue to do your own research and make your own decisions but don’t use ignorance or a no-coiner’s (someone who doesn’t own any Bitcoin and never has) opinion or narrative as your single source of research.
The First Steps of a Revolution
On January 9, 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto released the first Bitcoin software to the world. This wasn’t just code; it was the blueprint for an entirely new financial system. Here’s what made that day unforgettable:
The Launch of the First Bitcoin Client
This software allowed anyone with a computer to interact with the Bitcoin network. For the first time, the system was open for use—by you, me, or anyone willing to give it a shot. A true free-market and global monetary network was created on this day in an unprecedented way.Mining Block 1
Six days after Bitcoin’s “Genesis Block” (Block 0) was mined on January 3, 2009, the network came alive with Block 1. That gap is still the subject of speculation, but it represents the moment when Bitcoin began to work as a living, breathing ecosystem.The First Transactions Became Possible
The release of this software made it possible for early adopters to start sending and receiving Bitcoin to one another without any intermediary. It was the first taste of a future where money wouldn’t need banks, governments, or middlemen to function and where value exchange would be and could be permissionless and uncensorable by any one centralized authority 24/7/365 anywhere on the planet.Satoshi's Public Announcement
On this same day, Satoshi shared Bitcoin with a niche cryptography mailing list. Imagine sharing an idea that you believe could change the world, and waiting to see who would notice. The people who saw that email didn’t know it yet, but they were about to witness history in the making.
Remembering Hal Finney
Of course, we can’t talk about Bitcoin’s early days without honoring Hal Finney, one of the first people to embrace Satoshi’s vision. Hal was more than a programmer—he was a dreamer who believed in what Bitcoin could become. He received the first Bitcoin transaction ever sent and spent his remaining years championing this new technology, even as he battled ALS.
Hal’s optimism and courage remind us that change often starts with a few brave people daring to believe in something bigger than themselves.
Why It Matters in 2025
Today, Bitcoin is no longer just an experiment—it’s a global phenomenon whose humble beginnings have now crossed a historic and symbolic exchange rate hovering currently around $100,000 USD as of this writing for a full Bitcoin. It’s a store of value, a lifeline for the unbanked, and a hedge against the chaos of traditional financial systems. But here’s the thing: we’re still early, and even the most meager budget can begin to save their future purchasing power with single digit dollars at a time in Bitcoin by dollar-cost averaging into it daily as part of a long-term savings hedge against inflation and the debasement of their country’s fiat currency.
If you’ve been part of this movement for years, you know how much has changed since the release of that first software. If you’re new, there’s never been a better time to learn, to ask questions, or to take your first steps toward understanding what Bitcoin means for you, your family, and your financial future.
Share Your Voice
I want to hear from you. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning (a Bitcoin OG) or are just stepping into this world (what we lovingly call a Noob), let’s celebrate this milestone together and let me help you do your first transaction of any size in Bitcoin to honor the historic day that such a thing became possible without anyone else’s permission for all 8 billion people on the planet.
If you’re a veteran Bitcoiner, share your favorite memory from Bitcoin’s history. Was it your first transaction? A lightbulb moment? A funny or painful story but valuable lesson from the early days where you lost some, etc?
If you’re new to the conversation and the Bitcoin community, what’s your biggest question about Bitcoin? What’s holding you back from diving in or making your first transaction in 2025?
Post your thoughts and memories in the comments or reply to this email. Let’s make this 16th anniversary not just a moment to look back, but a chance to inspire the next wave of believers and participants.
Why Wait?
If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, now is the time to take action. Get involved. Download a Bitcoin wallet, buy your first fraction of a Bitcoin, and join this global experiment in financial freedom. The best way to learn is to take that first step.
Sixteen years ago, Bitcoin started with one mined block, one email, and one believer. Today, it’s a global movement. Let’s honor that legacy by continuing to build, educate, and participate.
Here’s to the next 16 years of innovation, independence, and opportunity.
Stay Bold, Stay Curious, Stay Wealthy in All Ways!
~Chris J Snook
P.S. Here is a full list of the sources for this post for further reading: