The Bitcoin white paper, Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, was published on October 31, 2008, by Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin—the first decentralized digital currency.
The document outlines a system for peer-to-peer electronic payments, enabling secure transactions without intermediaries such as banks. It introduces blockchain technology, a distributed and immutable ledger designed to ensure transparency and prevent fraud.
The paper also explains the proof-of-work consensus mechanism, which secures the network and validates transactions through computational effort. It addresses challenges like double-spending and proposes a solution where cryptographic proof replaces the need for trust in centralized authorities.
This original paper is a must read for anyone studying how Bitcoin works.