A short tweet with only three words: "Run Bitcoin".

Just one day after Hal Finney posted this message on January 11, 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto directly transferred 10 BTC to him. This was not a small transaction, but the first real on-chain transfer in Bitcoin history. Finney's address became the starting point forever etched on the blockchain.

When it comes to the birth of Bitcoin, many people only think of Satoshi Nakamoto's mysterious white paper. But without Finney, Bitcoin might just be a technical document in a corner of the internet that no one reads, nothing more. He was not only the first to believe in this idea but also proved with action that this protocol could run.

Finney's background is also legendary. Before the concept of cryptocurrency truly heated up, he had already delved into privacy encryption technology. The cyberpunk spirit of that era, with its relentless pursuit of freedom and privacy, was fully reflected in his involvement with the Bitcoin project.

In 2014, Finney passed away due to ALS. But he did not give up because his body gradually became paralyzed; even in his final days, he continued to contribute to the crypto community through eye-tracking technology. This persistence has, to some extent, become part of the Bitcoin spirit itself.

Today, when we discuss how cryptocurrencies are changing the financial system or how blockchain will develop in the future, we should not forget this early pioneer. His story reminds us that behind every technological revolution are individuals willing to take risks, believe, and contribute.