Fifteen years ago, the first Bitcoin faucet was initiated by Gavin Andresen, a key figure in the Bitcoin community. The faucet distributed free bitcoins to users who solved captchas, initially giving away 5 BTC per address. At the time, these coins were virtually worthless, but their value skyrocketed over the years, with 5 BTC now valued at over half a million dollars. Gavin filled the faucet with 1,100 of his bitcoins, which would now be worth nearly $118 million. The faucet operated until March 2012, by which point Bitcoin's price had risen significantly, prompting Gavin to reduce the payout amounts. The total distributed from the faucet is estimated at nearly 19,716 BTC, valued today at around $2.1 billion, though actual distributions were likely lower due to community donations. This retrospective highlights the significant shifts in Bitcoin's landscape and the missed opportunities for those not involved early on, leaving many with a bittersweet sense of nostalgia and regret.

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