Crypto glossary
What is a genesis block? The first block explained
KriptoMeta Editorial Team
- Added:
A genesis block is the first block of a blockchain. Later blocks refer to an earlier record; the genesis block has no predecessor. Its starting parameters are defined in the network’s software.
For Bitcoin, the genesis block is block 0, dated January 3, 2009. Its embedded newspaper headline refers to the banking bailout debate of that period. The message alone does not establish Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity or location.
Example
Imagine Bitcoin as a book: the genesis block is the opening record and block 1 is the next page. Counting from 0 through 3 gives four blocks. Seeing a height of 3 in a block explorer therefore does not mean that the chain contains only three blocks.
The Bitcoin genesis transaction displays a 50 BTC output. Bitcoin Core’s source comments explain that the output was never added to the spendable transaction database, so it cannot be spent like a normal mining reward. Other blockchains may use different rules for their starting blocks.
The documented timeline in our Satoshi Nakamoto biography places the first block alongside the paper and software announcements.
Source
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