The global Bitcoin community convened at the final major Bitcoin event of 2025 in Abu Dhabi, at Bitcoin MENA 2025. While the event saw participation from various Bitcoin entrepreneurs, whales, influencers, panel speakers, and mining entities, it also saw something new for the very first time – the History of Bitcoin First Edition, a book that chronicles the top cryptocurrency’s journey since its inception in 2009, but with an artistic and historic flavor.
Bitcoin meets art at Bitcoin MENA 2025
Unlike the previous editions of Bitcoin MENA, the 2025 edition featured the exhibition and auction of History of Bitcoin First Edition, a carefully crafted book that recounts the premier digital asset’s evolution since its inception in 2008.
Altcoin Desk got the opportunity to speak with the team behind History of Bitcoin First Edition, an important physical artifact in Bitcoin’s culture, developed over a period of four years with inputs from 128 artists from across 37 countries.
Smashtoshi, the collective behind the project, has promised to pledge 79% of all proceeds from the auction of History of Bitcoin to My First Bitcoin, a leading global non-profit organization committed to furthering Bitcoin education.
The remaining 21% proceeds will be distributed to the 128 artists who contributed to the project. The conversation with Smashtoshi follows below.
Interview with Smashtoshi
Altcoin Desk: What inspired the creation of the History of Bitcoin First Edition as an art-based, museum-grade book rather than a traditional historical publication?
Smashtoshi: Our mission was to make Bitcoin’s history accessible, memorable, and genuinely enjoyable to learn. While many excellent historical accounts already exist, none had used art as the primary storytelling medium.
They added that visual storytelling could unlock new audiences, especially since so many people are visual learners. Smashtoshi highlighted the power of art, in that it has a unique power to simplify complex ideas, ignite curiosity, and create shared moments of reflection.
By combining extensive historical research with world-class artwork, they developed a format that is both educational and deeply engaging, something people can explore together, not just read alone.
Altcoin Desk asked how it was made possible to bring together 128 different artists from 37 countries around a shared narrative, Smashtoshi stated that the movement “grew organically.” They added:
We started with only a handful of artists, and the network effect took over. What helped most was time: we never imposed deadlines, because creative work shouldn’t be rushed. The project was always ready only when it was ready. That freedom allowed artists from all cultures, styles, and disciplines to contribute their best work and align naturally around a shared historical story. In many ways, the process mirrored Bitcoin itself: collaborative and strengthened through collective contribution.
Altcoin Desk then asked Smashtoshi if there were any artistic inputs that impacted how they perceive Bitcoin. To this, the collective replied “absolutely,” adding:
Viewing Bitcoin through the eyes of 128 artists revealed how much more layered it is than technology or finance alone. The artwork captured not just the breakthroughs and innovation, but the human moments, both the joyful, chaotic early days and the darker, more challenging chapters. Some pieces highlighted the fun and experimentation that shaped Bitcoin’s culture, while others confronted the uncertainty that surfaced along the way. Seeing this full emotional spectrum made me appreciate that Bitcoin isn’t just a technological story; it’s a deeply human one. The art helped me understand that balance in a way no chart or whitepaper ever could.
Significance for the Bitcoin community
Smashtoshi stated that the museum-grade book represents the collective efforts of over 300 contributors, a truly global collaboration that stays true to the ethos of Bitcoin. They remarked that the First Edition’s auction is symbolic, as it honors the past while also directly supporting the future.
As mentioned earlier, the majority of the proceeds from the auction will be used toward funding My First Bitcoin to help educate the next generation of Bitcoiners. They added that History of Bitcoin First Edition is a “meaningful bridge” between documenting Bitcoin’s past and investing in its future.
Altcoin Desk also spoke with Dennis Koch, the Bitcoin MENA Art Gallery Curator, who answered why the book was showcased as the ‘cultural anchor’ of Bitcoin MENA 2025. Koch answered:
Rare cultural artifacts are often seen only by a small number of people. We wanted to change that.
Koch emphasized how the book at Bitcoin MENA allows thousands of people to experience it up close. They noted that the region’s deep appreciation for craftsmanship and heritage made it an ideal place to showcase the work.
Koch concluded that the History of Bitcoin First Edition functions as a cultural entity, since it brings together the digital asset’s technological revolution and the artistic context that gives it true meaning.
Final thoughts
The first day of Bitcoin MENA wasn’t defined solely by its packed panels, major announcements, or lineup of big-name speakers. It also focused on an artifact that transformed Bitcoin’s 17-year journey into something tangible and timeless.
History of Bitcoin First Edition’s presence at Bitcoin MENA 2025 is a timely reminder that while the digital assets industry continues to take forward steps with rising adoption, novel use cases, and regulatory approvals, it’s just as important to pause for a second and cherish the journey that has led to it.
