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Direct answer · Data release 1.0.0-draft.2 · chain through block 960,000 · built 2026-08-08

Can the genesis block’s 50 BTC be spent?

Answered from checked-in data · published 2026-09-23 · substantively modified 2026-10-02 · Markdown · All answers as JSON

No, under the current rules. The genesis block’s original coinbase output was not entered into Bitcoin’s spendable-output set. Later payments to the associated address create separate outputs whose spending conditions, including any required signature, must still be satisfied.

One special output, not a universal address ban

The relevant object is the original coinbase output in block 0. The code’s special handling keeps that output out of the spendable-output database. An address total shown by an explorer can include other outputs and does not undo that rule.

Later payments create their own outputs. Spending them requires satisfying their locking conditions, including any required signature. This explains their different treatment without claiming that a person has demonstrated possession of the key.

Inspect the supporting records below.

How to check this answer

  1. Inspect the cited code comment and genesis transaction context.
  2. Distinguish the block-0 output from later transaction outputs.
  3. Keep “under the current rules” when describing the restriction.

Evidence

  1. Bitcoin Core's genesis-block constructor carries the comment: "Build the genesis block. Note that the output of its generation transaction cannot be spent since it did not originally exist in the database." Source
  2. gettxoutsetinfo reports an "unspendables" object whose genesis_block field is documented as "The unspendable amount of the Genesis block subsidy". Source
  3. 2009-01-03: Block 0 timestamped 18:15:05 UTC; 285 bytes, difficulty 1, nonce 2083236893, one transaction. Source
  4. 2009-01-09: Block 1 timestamped 02:54:25 UTC — 463,160 seconds after block 0. Source

What this answer does not claim

“Unspendable” here describes the original genesis output under the cited rules. It is not a claim that every later output sent to the associated address is unspendable, or that anyone has proved current control of its key.

These explanations were revised with AI assistance. Figures are computed from the stated data release; substantive content and SEO changes go through a separate source review. No named human or external expert review is implied.

Cite this answer

An answer with its evidence

Degrees of Satoshi. “Can the genesis block’s 50 BTC be spent?” Answered from data release 1.0.0-draft.2, published 2026-09-23; modified 2026-10-02. https://degreesofsatoshi.com/answers/can-the-genesis-block-coins-be-spent/