Bitcoin has been on the agenda again lately, both with its new record and with the punishment received by former "Crypto King" Sam Bankman Fried.

This cryptocurrency, which has been associated with numerous viral stories since its creation in 2008, has often found itself in the headlines.

We examined seven standout moments from the history of the oldest and most popular cryptocurrency.

1. The mysterious creator

No one knows who created Bitcoin. This idea was put forward in 2008 on internet forums by someone calling himself Satoshi Nakamoto.

In the article written by Nakamoto describing Bitcoin, it was explained that this currency would allow money transfer between users over the internet, like sending an e-mail.

The computer system created by Nakamoto allows volunteers from around the world, using special software and powerful computers, to keep track of Bitcoin transactions.

In return, their chances of winning newly produced Bitcoins increase.

To date, many reporters, cryptocurrency fans and researchers have tried to reveal the real identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, but have failed.

In 2014, reporters chased after a Japanese man named Dorian Nakamoto, thinking he was this person, but it was later understood that this was due to a wrong translation.

There were other people suspected of being Nakamoto.

But only one person has emerged claiming to be Satoshi Nakamoto: Australian computer scientist Craig Wright.

In an interview with the BBC, he said: “I am Satoshi Nakamoto. I was a big part of it. Others had helped me too. Believe it or not. "I don't care," he said.

But Wright could not prove this, and after years of legal struggle, a High Court judge in London ruled that Wright was not Nakamoto.

2. Pizza sales

On May 22, 2010, the first trade with Bitcoin made history.

Hungry Bitcoiner Lazlo Hanyecz said on a crypto forum that he would send $41 worth of Bitcoin to a person who would send him 2 pizzas.

A 19-year-old student accepted this offer and that day went down in history as #BitcoinPizza day.

Although people had fun with funny posts on the anniversary of the pizza sale, that day actually demonstrated the power of Bitcoin: It was now a real currency that can be purchased online.

The criminal world must also have been following these developments, because within a year, darknet markets began to be established where drugs and other illegal products were sold in exchange for Bitcoin.

On the other hand, looking back, there are those who question whether buying pizza with Bitcoin was the right decision for Lazlo at that time. Because if he had held the amount of Bitcoin equivalent to $41 at that time, he would have hundreds of millions of dollars today!

3. Official currency in El Salvador

Nayib Bukele, president of the Central American country El Salvador, made Bitcoin the official currency in September 2021.

By law, all shops are required to accept Bitcoin as well as the official currency, the US Dollar.

Following the decision, Bitcoin enthusiasts and many reporters went to El Salvador, which was a temporary contribution to the country's tourism.

In this way, Bukele hoped to attract more investment to the country and reduce the cost his citizens pay when buying foreign currency.

But the impact of the decision was not as large as desired.

Bitcoin's popularity is not at the desired level and the US Dollar is still the most common currency.