The Disappearance of Bitcoin's Bootstrap.dat: What's Going On?
In November 2017, the Bitcoin community was left stunned 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 earliest 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 set up a full Bitcoin client without needing 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 an interview with CoinDesk in 2018, Anthony "123" Lapointe, a well-known Bitcoin developer, mentioned that he was unable to find the original bootstrap.dat file for several years after its disappearance.
Is there another source for downloading a bootstrap.dat?
While bitcoin.org is no longer maintaining 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 dedicated thread for discussing old and deprecated Bitcoin software. You can find links to various repositories that host pre-built binaries of the bootstrap.dat file.
Bitcoin.org's archives
: Although bitcoin.org is no longer maintaining its own bootstrap.dat file, some older versions are still available in their archives. These might 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 cautious when using these sources, as some projects may require registration or have unclear licensing terms.
Conclusion
The loss of bitcoin.org's bootstrap.dat file is a significant blow to the Bitcoin community, especially for those who were relying on it as a primary source of information. While there are alternative sources available, users will need to exercise caution when using these resources. If you're 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 released a new version of the bootstrap.dat file on his own website, which has been updated regularly since then. This version should be compatible with modern Bitcoin clients.