Genesis Block is the name given to the first block of crypto assets, such as Bitcoin, that was ever mined. Blockchain consists of a series of so-called blocks that are used to store information related to transactions that occur on the blockchain network. Each block contains a unique header, and each block is identified by its individual block header hash.

These blocks are layered—one on top of the other, with the Genesis Block as the foundation—and they grow tall until the end of the blockchain is reached and the sequence is complete. The layers and deep history of each sequence are one of the things that make blockchain-based crypto assets so secure.

The Genesis Block Bitcoin is the first example of a proof-of-work blockchain system and is the template for all other blocks on its blockchain. In 2009, Bitcoin’s pseudonymous developer, Satoshi Nakamoto, created Genesis Block, which launched the crypto asset boom that is currently ongoing.

Blocks are effective digital containers where data relating to transactions on the network is permanently recorded. A block records some or all of the most recent Bitcoin transactions that have not entered the previous block. Thus, blocks are like pages of a ledger or notebook. Whenever a block is “completed,” it gives way to the next block on the blockchain. Thus, a block is a permanent storage of records which once written, cannot be changed or deleted.

Genesis Block, also known as Block 0, is the first block to which an additional block in the blockchain is added. Effectively the ancestor that every other block can trace its lineage back to because each block references the previous one. This starts the process of validating bitcoin transactions and introducing new bitcoins.

The next block, known as Block 1, was only mined six days after the Genesis Block. This is considered odd because the average time lag between blocks is meant to be 10 minutes.