Technical Characteristics with Symbolic Weight

The Genesis block presents several unique characteristics that distinguish it from the rest of the chain:

  • It has no previous block: its previous_block_hash field is empty, making it the absolute point of origin.

  • The 50 BTC reward cannot be spent: although it exists technically, it is not claimable. This anomaly was introduced deliberately, separating it from the economic system that would follow.

  • It contains a codified message: Satoshi included in the block the text: “The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks.”

  • This headline from the British newspaper The Times functions as: A verifiable timestamp.

  • An explicit political commentary on the economic situation of the moment.

A symbolic declaration of Bitcoin's purpose: not to replicate the traditional banking model.

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