16 YEARS OF BITCOIN 🎉
Celebrating Bitcoin Month & Exploring Bitcoin Educational Programs, Community-Led Initiatives, and Resources for ALL Ages
Happy New Year 2025, fellow Bitcoiners and crypto enthusiasts!
Every time January rolls around, I'm reminded of how this month has shaped the entire industry. There’s a list of events that made January the Bitcoin Month.
It's wild to think how far we've come from those humble beginnings. Grab a coffee or a cup of tea and join me as I walk you through some incredible January moments that changed the future of money forever:
January 3, 2009: Satoshi Nakamoto mined the Genesis Block, which is the first block of the Bitcoin blockchain.
January 9, 2009: The first open-source Bitcoin client was released. Satoshi chose a winter morning to release Bitcoin v0.1, sending out an announcement on the cryptography mailing list that would change the future of money.
January 10, 2009: Just a day later, computer scientist Hal Finney wrote the now-famous tweet "Running bitcoin" - becoming the first person after Satoshi to run the software
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January 12, 2009: The real magic happened when Satoshi sent 10 BTC to Hal Finney - the first-ever Bitcoin transaction between two people, quietly recorded in block 170.
January 8, 2011: Bitcoin mining had become a group effort, with mining pools collectively reaching 10,000 Mhash/s as miners worked together to secure the network.
January 27, 2011: Someone made crypto history by trading three Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar notes for 4 BTC each - the largest numerical value ever traded for bitcoins at the time.
January 14, 2016: The Lightning Network whitepaper (written by Joseph Poon and Thaddeus (Tadge) Dryja)was released, laying out a plan for Bitcoin's scaling future that would change how we think about cryptocurrency transactions.
January 2021: Bitcoin believers watched as the price surged past $40,000 for the first time, marking a new era for cryptocurrency.
January 2, 2022: Miners broke records again when the Bitcoin hash rate reached 203.5 exahashes per second, showing just how far the network had grown.
As Bitcoin adoption grows globally, with more companies adding BTC to their reserves and governments paying close attention to it, so does the need for accessible and effective Bitcoin education. From grassroots community initiatives to university programs and resources for children, Bitcoin education is becoming increasingly diverse.
If you're interested in learning about Bitcoin, you're not alone. I've spent time exploring different educational programs and communities, and I want to share what I've learned about the various ways people are teaching and learning about Bitcoin.
The Power of Community Learning
Mi Primer Bitcoin has an interesting origin story. It started in 2021 as a small group of educators in El Salvador recognised that Bitcoin adoption would only work if people understood how to use it. What began as local teaching sessions has since grown into their "Light Node" network, which now reaches across 20 countries.
Their Bitcoin Diploma program has made a real difference in many communities. One student, a grandmother of three, shared how she now helps her family understand digital finances - a practical example of how this knowledge spreads through families and communities. Their 10-week course has reached over 10,000 students, showing how grassroots education can scale effectively.
The Bitcoin Academy in Brooklyn's Marcy Houses takes a different approach to community education. Launched in 2022 by Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter and Jack Dorsey, they focused on making Bitcoin education practical and accessible. They thought through the real barriers to education - offering childcare during classes, providing necessary devices, and creating a comfortable learning environment where questions are welcome.
Area Bitcoin is an online school offering courses and workshops ranging from beginner to advanced levels. While not explicitly free, its mission is to make Bitcoin education as accessible as possible.
Operation Bitcoin is community-driven initiative provides free, practical Bitcoin education. Designed for veterans and other community members, it offers workshops and resources tailored to real-world applications.
Bitcoin Students Network “is a “one-stop shop” for students interested in learning about Bitcoin and contributing to the space. We aim to connect students to resources (logistical, educational & financial), opportunities (educational, job & skills-based), and importantly, to each other.” (Bitcoin Students Network website)
Bitcoin Educators Unconference. Highlighting collaboration among Bitcoin educators, the Bitcoin Educators Unconference (held in Nashville this year) brings together educators to share strategies, resources, and innovative approaches to teaching Bitcoin.
The Bitcoin Course is a free online course designed by Anil Patel, the author of The Bitcoin Handbook.
Summer of Bitcoin is a global, online summer internship program focused on introducing university students to bitcoin open-source development and design.
A New Chapter in Academic Learning
Traditional education is also finding its place in Bitcoin education. The University of Nicosia took an early step in 2014 by launching the first Master's degree in Digital Currency. Their program has grown steadily, working with over 35,000 students from 125 countries. Their approach combines academic study with practical application, and their free MOOC has become a useful starting point for many people interested in learning about Bitcoin. They've managed to create courses that work for both newcomers and those looking to deepen their existing knowledge.
University of California, Berkeley integrates cryptocurrency and blockchain education into its computer science and industrial engineering programs, offering students a well-rounded view of the technology.
Cornell University, through Cornell Blockchain, this university provides courses and research opportunities that explore blockchain and Bitcoin, helping students gain practical and theoretical insights.
Nurturing Young Minds
Bitcoin education for children is developing in interesting ways. The Bitcoin Homeschoolers community, founded by Scott and Tali Lindberg in 2022, offers a thoughtful approach to family learning. They've found ways to integrate Bitcoin concepts into regular lessons, allowing children to explore ideas about money and technology naturally. Their virtual meetups bring families together to learn, with Bitcoin concepts woven into traditional subjects. They use blockchain concepts to discuss trust and cooperation, and explore monetary policy through interactive activities that keep children engaged.
Other books and learning materials for children:
"Goodnight Bitcoin" by Mallory and Scott Sibley: A bedtime story about Bitcoin’s creation. https://bitlift.com/shop/shamory-goodnight-bitcoin-book
"Bitcoin White Paper for Kids" by Ivan Campos: A simplified and illustrated version of the Bitcoin white paper. https://www.satoshiskids.org/explore-b/the-bitcoin-whitepaper-for-children
"Bitcoin Money: A Tale of Bitville" by Michael Caras: A storybook that explains Bitcoin concepts in a fun and engaging way. https://www.amazon.com/Bitcoin-Money-Tale-Bitville-Discovering/dp/0578490676
"99 Bitcoins and an Elephant": An imaginative story introducing Bitcoin to children. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42297693-99-bitcoins-and-an-elephant%5B2
"Blockchain for Babies": A board book that explains blockchain technology in simple terms for very young readers. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blockchain-for-babies-chris-ferrie/1129255046?ean=9781492680789
While the range of educational programs is expanding, challenges remain-from reaching remote communities to breaking down language barriers and keeping up with technological changes. Accessibility is still an issue in certain regions, and misinformation about Bitcoin persists.
Remember that everyone starts somewhere in their Bitcoin journey. Whether you're just beginning to learn or helping others understand Bitcoin better, you're part of a growing community of learners and educators working to make Bitcoin more accessible to everyone.