The "Running bitcoin" tweet from 17 years ago, why does it still remind us of what true faith is?

On January 9, 2009, a short tweet changed the course of the crypto world. Hal Finney used the words “Running bitcoin” to declare that Bitcoin was moving from theory to reality. 17 years later, this tweet still shines, not because of its words, but because of the people behind it and the spirit of that era.

Why is that tweet important

This is not just an ordinary tweet. Hal Finney was the recipient of Satoshi Nakamoto’s first Bitcoin transfer. When he said “Running bitcoin,” it meant that the Bitcoin network had truly launched. From code to reality, from theory to operation, this transition required someone to verify, test, and trust. Finney was that person.

According to the latest news, Hal Finney’s widow posted on her X account to commemorate this moment and announced the launch of the fifth “Running Bitcoin Challenge” event. This long-standing activity itself is a tribute to Finney’s spirit.

An underestimated contributor

Many people only know that Hal Finney was the “first recipient,” but his significance goes far beyond that identity. He was an early version developer and operator of Bitcoin, a core member of the cypherpunk community. After Satoshi Nakamoto released the Bitcoin white paper, Finney was one of the earliest developers to respond and contribute.

According to relevant information, Finney suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but even as his condition worsened and muscles gradually lost control, he persisted in coding and continued to contribute to the Bitcoin ecosystem using eye-tracking software. This persistence was not for fame or profit but a pure pursuit of technology and faith.

A living example of cypherpunk spirit

What does Finney represent? The core spirit of the cypherpunk era: using technology to pursue freedom, using code to fight against uncontrollable centralized systems. Bitcoin did not appear out of thin air; it was born from discussions on the cypherpunk mailing list, the result of long-term thinking and practice by a group of geeks.

Relevant information mentions that Finney later chose cryogenic preservation. This decision may seem extreme, but logically it aligns with his entire life trajectory: he believed that technology could break through human biological limitations and that future medicine could cure terminal illnesses. This ultimate faith in technological possibility is the deepest expression of the cypherpunk spirit.

Contemporary insights

Today, 17 years later, the crypto community has changed beyond recognition. From early technological idealism to hype and short-termism, many things have changed. But Finney’s story reminds us of the original starting point of this movement.

He did not participate in Bitcoin for wealth freedom; he believed that decentralized technology could change the world. He was not a temporary participant but bet his life on this belief. This long-termism and pure faith are especially precious in today’s crypto scene.

Summary

Hal Finney’s first Bitcoin tweet is worth commemorating, not only because it marked the true launch of the Bitcoin network but also because it represented the spirit of an era. Behind that tweet was a person who embodied faith with his life, a group of geeks who believed technology could change the world.

Seventeen years have passed, and Bitcoin has become a trillion-dollar asset class, but Finney’s story reminds us not to forget our original intention. No matter how the market fluctuates, no matter how projects evolve, that persistent belief in technology, that long-term commitment, and that spirit of risking personal gains for faith are the most valuable assets of this ecosystem. Instead of nostalgia, this anniversary calls for reflection.