Blockchain 1.0 is an informal label for the first generation of blockchain technology, whose main purpose was digital money. It is usually dated from the launch of Bitcoin in 2009 and covers early cryptocurrencies that copied or adapted its design, such as Litecoin. These networks recorded transfers of coins on a public ledger secured by proof of work, with only limited scripting for conditions such as multi-signature payments. The label was popularised in the mid-2010s, notably in Melanie Swan's 2015 book on the subject, to contrast payment-focused chains with later programmable platforms. It is a teaching shorthand rather than a technical standard, and Bitcoin itself has continued to evolve. Also see Blockchain 2.0 and Blockchain 3.0.
Last updated 13 Nov 2026