17 years ago, the global financial system was still struggling through a crisis. At that time, a person using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto released Bitcoin v0.1, writing a challenge to the old financial order in the genesis block. No one expected that this small thing would gradually change the world's perception of money.

Time flies. From a niche gadget for geeks to a macro asset with a market cap surpassing one trillion dollars, Bitcoin has undergone a magnificent transformation. Institutions have entered, countries are paying attention, and it has gone from being called a "scam coin" to a choice for global asset allocation. Today is its 17th birthday, and it is no longer the naive child it once was.

Just look at these numbers:

The famous transaction in 2010, where 10,000 bitcoins were exchanged for two pizzas. Today, that pizza cost would be enough to buy a luxury house. This was Bitcoin's first price anchor in the real world and marked its transition from virtual imagination to practical application.

2013 was a watershed year. Bitcoin first broke through the $1,000 mark, and the market began to take it seriously. The bullish frenzy that year is still talked about today.

2017 was a complete explosion. Approaching $20,000, Bitcoin entered the mainstream consciousness for the first time. The world was discussing, trading, and regretting not buying earlier. That cycle also made many investors experience what is called a "roller coaster."

The turning point came after 2020. Pandemic, money printing, inflation—the macro environment prompted institutional investors to reevaluate Bitcoin. It gradually shifted from a risky speculative asset to being recognized as "digital gold" and an "inflation hedge." Large companies began to include it in their financial statements, and mainstream funds started to allocate. This time, Bitcoin received endorsement from within the system.

From worthlessness to a trillion-dollar asset, Bitcoin has achieved a miracle in 17 years. The naysayers have never stopped, but the market speaks with results.