The Bitcoin Whitepaper

Published in 2008 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System" is the nine-page document that started it all. It describes how to send value online without a trusted middleman, using a chain of blocks secured by proof-of-work.

Why read it

• It's short and surprisingly readable
• It explains the "why" behind Bitcoin better than most articles
• It's the primary source — straight from the origin

👉 Read the Bitcoin whitepaper

New to crypto? Start with what is Bitcoin.