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A Quick History of Blockchain.com

ByBlockchain.com Jan 7, 2025

As we enter the new year, 14 years since the inception of Blockchain.com, the cryptocurrency market is buzzing with anticipation of a bull market. At a time of such renewed energy, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on our roots and the journey that has brought Blockchain.com to ...

As we enter the new year, 14 years since the inception of Blockchain.com, the cryptocurrency market is buzzing, with some anticipating the coming of a bull market. At a time of such renewed energy, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on our roots and the journey that has brought Blockchain.com to where it stands today.

Since our founding in 2011, our platform has been at the forefront of cryptocurrency adoption, empowering millions worldwide to access the world of crypto. Our story, like many other disrupters before us, began with a passion for innovation and a vision to revolutionize the system.

The Birth of Blockchain.info

Back in 2011, co-founders Peter Smith, Nic Cary and Ben Reeves, united by an interest in statistics and technology, were members of the first online Bitcoin forum, BitcoinTalk.org. A place where enthusiasts discussed Bitcoin and some of the technical and philosophical concepts behind it. 

The three quickly noticed that the only way to find out if a transaction confirmed or what the hashrate was, was if someone ran their own full node and indexed the whole chain.

Peter explained the group’s thinking, “The first thing we wanted to do was build a website that would study how much activity was happening on the blockchain. And when we asked the community what we should call this project, they said ‘why not call it blockchain.info?’ Which was the predecessor to Blockchain.com.”

So before Blockchain.com, there was Blockchain.info, a simple yet revolutionary search engine for Bitcoin. The platform provided then, and still does now, real-time access to Bitcoin blockchain data, a vital tool for the growing Bitcoin community at the time. It was the first site to make blockchain data easily accessible, and remains the most accessed Bitcoin blockchain resource.

Building the Wallet 

Soon, Blockchain.info evolved beyond a search engine to launch its flagship product: the hybrid cloud wallet. This groundbreaking tool allowed users to securely store their private keys while enjoying the convenience of online access, a model that has become the gold standard for non-custodial wallets.

“It became very obvious to us early on that if Bitcoin and crypto were really going to have a future it was going to have become a lot easier to use. The product that we are most known for is our wallet. That was a really pioneering product because, up until that point, you had two choices: you could download the Bitcoin full node software on your laptop, resync the whole chain every time you wanted to make a transaction, or you could trust someone else with your Bitcoin. And so we built the first hybrid cloud wallet where in this convenient experience, you had your own private key, which meant that no one could take your money. Including us. We were the first folks to do that,” Peter continued. 

The wallet launched 2011 and, within six months, had acquired almost 100,000 users. Then, in 2013, during one of the first major crypto bull cycles, the user base skyrocketed to over a million within 30 days. 

Expanding our Offerings 

“As the crypto market has evolved, the needs of customers have changed and matured. Our core values include being relentless and building. Expanding the Blockchain.com experience to support Institutions, Protocol Projects, and crypto native businesses has rounded out our platform,” Nick chimed in.  

Listening to our customers has always been at the heart of what we do. So over the years, we’ve responded to their growing needs and the needs of the industry, expanding our services beyond the wallet and explorer to include our exchange, institutional-grade solutions, and Blockchain.com Pay. 

By offering these new services, we look to enable individuals and businesses to trade with confidence, institutions to manage their digital assets with precision, and merchants to accept crypto payments with ease. Each addition reflects our commitment to providing seamless, secure, and versatile tools to empower users at every level. 

Driving Financial Freedom

From early days as a simple search explorer, to powering up to 30% of all Bitcoin transactions today, Blockchain.com has remained steadfast in our mission to make it easy for anyone, anywhere, to access the world of crypto. Our platform’s evolution mirrors the broader story of cryptocurrency, one of resilience, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of a better financial future.

On giving customers the opportunity to self custody Peter was emphatic, “I think giving customers the ability to self-custody is fundamentally important because it's important for human freedom.” 

He continued, “And the thing that keeps me in crypto, after all this time, is the chance that we have to drive human economic freedom. Ultimately, you know, we are just an enablement layer for people, for institutions, for consumers, for token projects. We're here to increase access to the crypto market, and we're here to empower people and institutions to take part in the crypto market.”

Looking Ahead

With over 90 million wallets created and a suite of cutting-edge tools, Blockchain.com remains a trusted partner for individuals and institutions alike. As we reflect on our history, we’re reminded of the impact a small idea can have when fueled by passion and innovation.

As Peter often says, "The key to longevity in crypto is not getting too distracted by the highs or the lows but staying focused on the mission." That mission continues to guide Blockchain.com as we work toward building for the next wave of crypto adoption. Serving people, projects, protocols and institutions since 2011.

Explore the journey for yourself. Join Blockchain.com and be part of the future of finance.

Blockchain History Timeline .webp

Important Note:
This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for obtaining accounting, tax or financial advice from a professional advisor. The purchase of crypto entails risk. The value of crypto can fluctuate and capital involved in a crypto transaction is subject to market volatility and loss. Digital currencies are not bank deposits, are not legal tender, and are not backed by the government. Blockchain.com’s products and services are not subject to any governmental or government-backed deposit protection schemes. Legislative and regulatory changes or actions in any jurisdiction in which Blockchain.com’s customers are located may adversely affect the use, transfer, exchange, and value of digital currencies.

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It’s not too late to be early

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It’s not too late to be early

Simply verify your ID, add a payment method, and buy crypto.