Introduction
Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin dominate cryptocurrency discussions, but few know the nuanced dynamics between their creators—Vitalik Buterin ("V神") and Satoshi Nakamoto. This article explores their technological legacies, philosophical differences, and why Vitalik questioned Satoshi's legacy despite Bitcoin's success.
Part 1: The Cryptographic Foundations of Bitcoin
Key Technologies Behind Bitcoin
- Asymmetric Encryption:
Built on RSA (1977) and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (1985), enabling secure peer-to-peer transactions. - Peer-to-Peer Networks:
Popularized by Napster, P2P tech eliminated centralized intermediaries. - Hashcash:
Adam Back’s anti-spam algorithm evolved into Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work (PoW) mechanism.
👉 Discover how blockchain innovations reshape finance
Pre-Bitcoin Digital Currency Experiments
- B-money (1988): Dai Wei’s proposal for anonymous digital cash inspired Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos.
- RPOW (Reusable Proof-of-Work): Satoshi integrated this concept to solve double-spending.
Part 2: Bitcoin’s Launch and Satoshi’s Philosophy
The 2008 White Paper
Satoshi’s manifesto declared:
"A purely peer-to-peer electronic cash system without financial institutions."
Launched during the global financial crisis, Bitcoin critiqued traditional banking’s trust issues.
Technical Limitations
- Energy Intensive: PoW mining consumes excessive electricity.
- Slow Transactions: 10-minute block times hinder scalability.
Part 3: Vitalik Buterin’s Critique and Ethereum’s Vision
Vitalik’s Assessment of Satoshi
- Code Quality: Called Satoshi a "mediocre C++ programmer with good luck."
- Accidental Success: Credited Bitcoin’s robustness to unintended design benefits (e.g., elliptic curve choices).
Ethereum’s Improvements
- Smart Contracts: Turing-complete scripting enabled decentralized apps (DApps).
- No Nakamoto Tribute: Ethereum’s currency units honor pioneers like Dai and Finney—but omit Satoshi.
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FAQs: Ethereum vs Bitcoin
Q1: Why does Bitcoin use more energy than Ethereum?
A1: Bitcoin’s PoW requires extensive computations. Ethereum shifted to energy-efficient PoS in 2022.
Q2: Did Vitalik ever meet Satoshi?
A2: No. Their "dialogue" was limited to code and public comments.
Q3: What’s Ethereum’s main advantage over Bitcoin?
A3: Programmability. Ethereum supports complex DApps; Bitcoin focuses on payments.
Conclusion
While Satoshi laid cryptocurrency’s groundwork, Vitalik challenged its limitations—driving innovation beyond Bitcoin’s original scope. Their differing legacies continue to shape blockchain’s evolution.
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