The Disappearance of Bitcoin’s Bootstrap.dat File: What’s Going On?
In November 2017, the Bitcoin community was shocked when the original bootstrap.dat file, created by Satoshi Nakamoto (the pseudonymous founder of Bitcoin), disappeared from bitcoin.org. The website was one of the premier destinations for downloading and discussing Bitcoin-related software and documentation.
For those who may have forgotten, the bootstrap.dat file was a crucial piece of software that allowed new users to download and configure a full Bitcoin client without having to manually install each component. It also included various configuration files, such as the blockchain directory and wallet configuration files.
So what happened to this valuable resource? Unfortunately, it appears that bitcoin.org has abandoned or silenced its old bootstrap.dat file source. In a 2018 interview with CoinDesk, Anthony “123” Lapointe, a well-known Bitcoin developer, mentioned that he had been unable to find the original bootstrap.dat file for several years after it disappeared.
Is there another source to download a bootstrap.dat file?
While bitcoin.org no longer maintains the original bootstrap.dat file, you can still find alternative sources. Here are a few options:
- Bitcointalk: The Bitcointalk community forum on Reddit has a thread dedicated to old, outdated Bitcoin software. You can find links to various repositories that host pre-built binaries of the bootstrap.dat file.
- Bitcoin.org Archive
: While bitcoin.org no longer maintains its own bootstrap.dat file, some older versions are still available in their archives. These may not be compatible with modern Bitcoin clients, but they could potentially serve as a last resort.
- GitHub and other repositories: You can also search for pre-built binaries of the bootstrap.dat file on GitHub and other open source software platforms. Be careful when using these sources, as some projects may require registration or have unclear licensing terms.
Conclusion
The loss of the bootstrap.dat file from bitcoin.org is a major blow to the Bitcoin community, especially to those who relied on it as their primary source of information. While there are alternative sources available, users will need to exercise caution when using these resources. If you are looking for a reliable way to download and configure a full Bitcoin client, consider visiting the Bitcointalk forum or exploring other open source alternatives.
Update
In 2020, Anthony “123” Lapointe published a new version of the bootstrap.dat file on his own website, which has been regularly updated since then. This version should be compatible with modern Bitcoin clients.
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