Hal Finney, the second person to run Bitcoin software and its first real user, celebrated as a key figure in the Cypherpunk movement, would have turned 69 years old on May 4. Finney mined one of the first blocks and received the first Bitcoin transaction from Satoshi Nakamoto. Known for his contributions to privacy and digital cash, he developed Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) and created the first cryptographic remailers. Finney advocated for digital privacy, witnessing skepticism about Bitcoin from the cryptography community, unlike many of his peers who were more doubtful. His proactive approach to cryptographic payment systems made him an early supporter of Bitcoin. He continued to innovate until the end of his life, working on projects to enhance Bitcoin security even while battling ALS. Finney's legacy is honored through annual fundraisers for ALS research by his wife, Fran Finney, reinforcing the importance of encryption in digital freedom amidst increasing surveillance by governments and corporations.

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