The disappearance of Bitcoins bootstrap.dat: What’s going on?
In November 2017, the Bitcoin community was stunned when the original Bootstrap.dat file, which was created by Satoshi Nakamoto (The Pseudonymous founder of Bitcoin), had disappeared from Bitcoin.org. The website was one of the earliest goals for downloading and discussing Bitcoin-related software and documentation.
For those who may have forgotten, the boottrap.dat file was a crucial software with which new users were able to download and set up a complete Bitcoin client without having to install any component manually. It also contained various configuration files, e.g. B. the blockchain directory and the item pocket configuration files.
What happened to this valuable resource? Unfortunately, Bitcoin.org seems to be abandoned or silence its old boottrap.dat file source. In an interview with Coindesk in 2018, Anthony “123” Lapointe, a well-known Bitcoin developer, mentioned that he could not find the original Bootstrap.dat file for several years.
Is there another source for downloading a boottrap.dat?
While Bitcoin.org no longer manages the original boottrap.dat file, you will still find alternative sources. Here are some options:
- BitcoinTalk
: The Bitcountalk Community -Forum on Reddit has a special thread for the discussion about old and outdated Bitcoin software. You will find links to various repositories that host the prefabricated binary files from the Boottrap.dat file.
- Bitcoin.orgs Archive : Although Bitcoin.org does not maintain its own boottrap.dat file, some older versions are still available in their archives. These may not be compatible with modern Bitcoin customers, but could possibly serve as the last resort.
- Github and other repositories : You can also search for prefabricated binary files from the Stootstrap.dat file on Github and other open source software platforms. Be careful if you use these sources, since some projects may require registration or have unclear license conditions.
Diploma
The loss of bitcoin.orgs bootstrap.dat file is an important blow for the Bitcoin community, especially for those who have rely on it as a primary source of information. While there are alternative sources, users must exercise caution when using these resources. If you are looking for a reliable way to download and configure a complete Bitcoin client, you should visit the BitcoinTalk forum or explore other open source alternatives.
Update
In 2020, Anthony “123” Lapointe released a new version of the Boottrap.dat file on his own website, which has been updated regularly since then. This version should be compatible with modern Bitcoin customers.