On July 30, 2015, the Ethereum blockchain went live for the first time. Originally authored by Vitalik Buterin and Gavin Wood, the goal of the new protocol was to add a programmable layer on top of a blockchain, something that could only be done in a limited fashion with Bitcoin.

Ethereum’s development was funded via a 3,700-BTC crowdsale, making it the first practical example of what would later be referred to as an “ICO.” Over the next few years, Buterin, the Ethereum foundation, and ConsenSys would become some of the most influential players in the space, kickstarting a new era of blockchain experimentation and development.

===

About this Series

"Bitcoin: A Visual History" is a series of 21 illustrations and cinemagraphs commemorating remarkable people and landmark events throughout Bitcoin history. BVH is divided into 3 series of 7 illustrations each, with Series 1 dropping in late August 2020. Series 2 and Series 3 are scheduled to drop in the last quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, respectively.

Each illustration in BVH interlocks with the illustration immediately preceding it, and once completed, all three sets will form one massive unbroken chain of interconnecting illustrations.

Each segment is available as a 1-of-1 ultra-rare cinemagraph, or as a 10-of-10 limited edition illustration.

This series was created by CRYPTOPOP! with the support of WavesWorld.io.

About the Artist

Cryptopop.net is a project of artist Luis Buenaventura (@helloluis), and began in 2017 as an attempt to blend the esoteric and often opaque nature of cryptocurrencies with the accessibility of pop culture iconography. He has created artwork for Coindesk, CoinMarketCap, Litecoin Foundation, Monero Foundation, is a coauthor of The Little Bitcoin Book (@littlebitcoinbk), and is the founder of BloomX (@bloomxorg).