Blockchain. The history of blockchain and cryptocurrency began with the publication of a white paper in 2008 by an anonymous individual or group going by the name Satoshi Nakamoto. The paper, entitled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System," described a new type of digital currency that would allow for direct, peer-to-peer transactions without the need for a central authority. The first blockchain, and the first units of the cryptocurrency known as bitcoin, were created in January 2009. Since then, the technology and its underlying principles have been adopted and adapted by a wide range of industries and organizations. One of the most significant developments in the history of blockchain and cryptocurrency came in 2011, when the first decentralized cryptocurrency exchange, known as the Bitcoin Market, was established.
In the following years, the use of blockchain and cryptocurrency continued to expand.