Bitcoin's story did not start in 2008. It starts with public-key cryptography in the 1970s, runs through the cypherpunks and two decades of digital-cash attempts, and only then reaches a nine-page PDF. This timeline follows that line forward through every halving epoch, the four-year periods between block-reward halvings that give Bitcoin its monetary rhythm, and on into the events still ahead.
How to use it
- Scroll the spine. Before Bitcoin the timeline is divided by decade; from the Genesis block onward it is divided into halving epochs, and each ½ marker is a halving with its block height, date and new block reward. The strip at the top jumps to any decade or epoch.
- Filter with the category chips. Everything is on by default; turn off upcoming events or promotional items if you only want history.
- Open an entry for the full story, the image or video, and the source.
- Share any entry with its copy-link button. The link opens the timeline scrolled to that entry.
- Subscribe (the bar at the top) and every anniversary pops up on your phone on the day, plus a daily "on this day in Bitcoin history" note. The feed is free and needs no account.
About the dates
Historical dates on this page are documented ones; disputed or estimated dates are marked estimated. Future halvings are estimated from the average block interval and are revised as the block height approaches. Nothing here is a forecast of price or a recommendation to buy or sell anything.