Blockchain technology initially caught people's attention due to the Bitcoin blockchain, an idea outlined by a white paper authored by Satoshi Nakamoto and published in October 2008 on the cryptography mailing list at metzdowd.com. It describes the Bitcoin digital currency (BTC) and was titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System. In January 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto released the first Bitcoin software, which launched the network and the first units of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency: BTC coins.