The early Bitcoins generated by the founders are lost or not?

[qikaifu]

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[1714129035]

1714129035

[Raulo]

Nobody knows except them.

[Jaime Frontero]

it would be an interesting project, to try and implement the equivalent of a network 'keepalive' into the blockchain.

or 'ping'?

[koin]

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why would you question this?  is there some rumor or something?

there have been sporatic reports of a few hundred here and there lost when they were of low value at the time so backups were not diligently made, but i cannot imagine those amounts adding up to any large quantity of bitcoins.

[wujh]

Might we start a monitor web site to watch those early blocks, as there haven't had any transactions yet. But the early blocks started to spread out, somebody have to stand out and explain it to the public.

Just like the shareholders before IPO was watched closely.

[unfinishe]

Well, I was curious about this question myself, so I've been working on programs to see how the early mined coins have been used. Based on my work here, http://forum.bitcoin.org/index.php?topic=11171.0 , there are an awful lot of early coins, approx 2.5 million BTC, that haven't been touched since they were first mined. Now, even though they're not in circulation, it's impossible to know whether many of those are actually lost or not, but I honestly think a lot of people would have cashed out by now.

[Jaime Frontero]

Well, I was curious about this question myself, so I've been working on programs to see how the early mined coins have been used. Based on my work here, http://forum.bitcoin.org/index.php?topic=11171.0 , there are an awful lot of early coins, approx 2.5 million BTC, that haven't been touched since they were first mined. Now, even though they're not in circulation, it's impossible to know whether many of those are actually lost or not, but I honestly think a lot of people would have cashed out by now.

yes, i agree.

i forget how long ago it was - but i first saw Bitcoin something like a year ago or a little more.  i think i generated a block, or maybe two.  i honestly can't recall.

unfortunately, i change operating systems like most people (i hope...) change underwear.

i'd be very surprised if there weren't at least a million BTC gone forever - or at least until quantum computing can recover lost coins (on another thread).

[marcus_of_augustus]

... all will be revealed in good time.

"The Founders" (speak in hushed tones when you say this) have a cunning plan.

Anybody who fightsfortheusers will be rewarded in the "Great Distribution" after the bitcoin "Coming of Age", yes 20/12/2012.

After a great battle, only the loyal, still-standing, active BTC accounts will be topped up with a pro-ratio allocation of the early bitcoins currently on ice from "The Founding".

If you want more rumours and stories you'll have to tip me btc.