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.@SenateDems could learn something from that.

— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) October 31, 2025

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.