When mentioning the origin and development of Bitcoin, one cannot overlook Hal Finney. This pioneer of the cypherpunk movement was not only among the first to run the Bitcoin network but also received the first Bitcoin transaction sent by Satoshi Nakamoto in January 2009 — a detail that speaks volumes about his significance. More importantly, he transformed Bitcoin from a white paper into a tangible, operational product, serving as a bridge between theory and practice.

His technical footprint spans the entire development of cryptographic privacy protection: from PGP encryption tools to anonymous remailers, and later to the design of the RPOW system (Reusable Proof of Work). Each step was an exploration of how to use cryptography to safeguard personal freedom and privacy. This approach later profoundly influenced Bitcoin's design philosophy. At that time, these choices were not driven by trends but by a steadfast belief in privacy and decentralization.