Secret Messages on Bitcoin's Blockchain
When mining Bitcoin, miners can leave messages that anyone can read. These messages are immortalized on the Blockchain so historians can study them in the future, or they can be used to spread messages to millions of people securely about sensitive topics. The messages are usually important, but sometimes people embed the link to the music video "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley on Youtube.
Here are five examples:
Satoshi Nakamoto left the first message. It said, "The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks." It's about a New York Times Headline explaining that banks are being bailed out with more imaginary money. It's a main reason Satoshi made Bitcoin. Satoshi wanted everyone to know that.
For block 666,666, a miner wrote, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome with good - Romans 12:21." People speculate what this means. Some say it warns people who have Bitcoin to do good for others and forget about themselves. Bitcoin can make people wealthy, but this world can turn evil if they misuse it. However, if people use this new technology for good, it can lead to a promising future.
A mining company wrote, "NYTimes 09/Apr/2020 With $2.3T Injection, Fed's Plan Far Exceeds 2008 Rescue." They were paying homage to Satoshi's original message and also noting for historians that the situation with paper money is worse than when Satoshi left his message.
Wikileaks wrote, "we're fine 8chan post fake." referring to fake articles being spread online about Julian Assange being dead and his accounts compromised.
Wikileaks also used the Bitcoin blockchain to leak a sensitive political file and thank Satoshi. With the file, they wrote, "Free speech and free enterprise! thank you, Satoshi!"