Bitcoin Turns 17: From “Hacker Money” to Institutional Mainstay

Bitcoin marks its 17th anniversary this week — no longer a fringe experiment, but a pillar of global finance. Published by Satoshi Nakamoto on October 31, 2008, the Bitcoin whitepaper laid the foundation for a peer-to-peer digital currency free from intermediaries. 

Seventeen years later, its reach now spans governments, major corporations, and institutional investors.

How Bitcoin Started From Rebellion

Once dismissed as “money for hackers,” Bitcoin now sits in the portfolios of some of the world’s largest financial players. 

BlackRock alone holds about 3% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply, while publicly listed firms collectively own over 725,000 BTC. 

Private companies hold another 300,000 BTC, reflecting how deeply the cryptocurrency has penetrated corporate finance.

17 years after the white paper, the Bitcoin network is still operational and more resilient than ever. Bitcoin never shuts down.

— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

Sebastián Serrano, CEO and co-founder of Ripio, said Bitcoin’s evolution has validated early believers. 

“When we started Ripio in 2013, we knew the impact would be immense — and time has proven it,” he said. “Seventeen years after the whitepaper, the results are undeniable.”

Governments Join the Fold

Bitcoin’s reach now extends into national treasuries. Around 31% of its supply is held by centralized entities, including governments, ETFs, and public companies. This indicates a clear sign of institutionalization. 

Happy 17th birthday, Bitcoin whitepaper. 🫡🇺🇸

— Mark Jeffrey

El Salvador continues to treat Bitcoin as legal tender, reinforcing its use beyond speculation.

Michael Rihani, head of crypto at Nubank, said Bitcoin’s integration into mainstream finance cements its status as a legitimate asset class. 

“This shift bridges traditional and digital finance, expanding both access and credibility,” he explained. 

Brazil’s B3 exchange now lists Bitcoin ETFs and BDRs tied to global funds, giving conventional investors new exposure to the asset.

Money is an information theory problemOkay, so Elon Musk replied to a post about Bitcoin's birthday (it's the 17th anniversary of the Bitcoin whitepaper being published) by saying, "Money is an information theory problem." Let me break it down super simple. Imagine money…

— Cern Basher

From Financial Tool to Political Symbol

Bitcoin has also entered the political arena. US President Donald Trump — once a vocal critic — now accepts Bitcoin donations and pledges to make the US a global hub for mining and blockchain innovation. 

In Argentina, President Javier Milei champions Bitcoin as “money returning to the people,” a bulwark against inflation and monetary mismanagement. 

El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele went further, declaring it legal tender and building state reserves.

Such moves show that Bitcoin has evolved from just a technological topic to a political statement. 

For reform-minded leaders, it symbolizes sovereignty and financial freedom. For regulators, it represents a disruptive force to be integrated — or contained.

On the 17th birthday of the @bitcoin white paper … my favorite section from page 4, section 6: Incentive

— JJ

What’s Next for Bitcoin?

Trading near $110,000, Bitcoin now faces twin paths: consolidation and transformation. Institutional adoption keeps growing, but so does innovation. 

Advances like the Lightning Network and tokenization on Bitcoin’s base layer could redefine how value moves globally.

All indicators point to the same conclusion — Bitcoin is the most valuable and transparent asset of the past decade, with a hard-capped supply of 21 million coins.