Bitcoin History Map
Explore major events in Bitcoin's history mapped to their geographical locations. From the Genesis Block in London to legal tender in El Salvador, see where the story of money was rewritten.
Quick Answer
Bitcoin's history is global. While it started as a digital concept in cyberspace, key events like the first transaction (California), the first commercial purchase (Florida), and the first nation-state adoption (El Salvador) happened in physical locations around the world.
Interactive Event Map
Click markers to view details
Map data is illustrative and highlights approximate geographical locations for educational purposes.
Event Details
Click a marker on the map or an event below to view its details.
Select an event to see the historical details.
Timeline
Oct 31, 2008
Bitcoin Whitepaper Published
Jan 3, 2009
Genesis Block Mined
Jan 12, 2009
First Bitcoin Transaction
May 22, 2010
Bitcoin Pizza Day
Jul 17, 2010
Mt. Gox Launched
Oct 1, 2013
Silk Road Shut Down
Sep 7, 2021
El Salvador Legal Tender
Sep 24, 2021
China Mining Ban
Apr 27, 2022
CAR Adopts Bitcoin
Jan 10, 2024
Spot Bitcoin ETFs Approved
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does location matter for Bitcoin?
While Bitcoin is a global, decentralized network, its history is deeply tied to physical locations—from where developers write code, to where miners operate, to the jurisdictions that pass regulations affecting its use.
Where is Bitcoin located?
Bitcoin has no physical location. The ledger (blockchain) is distributed across tens of thousands of nodes running on computers all over the world.
Where was the first Bitcoin transaction?
The first transaction occurred on January 12, 2009, when Satoshi Nakamoto sent 10 BTC to Hal Finney, who was located in California, USA.
Where is Satoshi Nakamoto from?
Satoshi Nakamoto's identity and location remain unknown. Analysis of their posting times and the inclusion of a London newspaper headline in the Genesis Block have led to speculation they may have been based in the UK or a similar time zone.
Are these all the important events?
No, this map highlights a curated selection of major milestones to illustrate Bitcoin's global journey. The network's history includes thousands of important technical, cultural, and regulatory events.