New York, NY — December 1, 2025 — The global auction for the First Edition of History of Bitcoin—a handcrafted, limited-edition physical art book chronicling Bitcoin’s cultural and technological ascent—has officially opened on the Scarce City auction platform. The 10-day auction, running from December 1 to 10, marks the beginning of a multi-city tour spanning New York, Dubai, and concluding in Abu Dhabi.
Developed by Smashtoshi, the project represents one of the most ambitious artistic tributes to Bitcoin to date. In a significant philanthropic commitment, the team has pledged that 79 percent of all auction proceeds will be donated to My First Bitcoin, a global grassroots education initiative dedicated to expanding independent, community-led Bitcoin learning. The organization aims to reach more than 200 million learners worldwide. The remaining 21 percent of proceeds will be distributed evenly among the 128 contributing artists whose work defines the project.
A Four-Year Artistic Chronicle of Bitcoin’s Evolution
Crafted over four years, History of Bitcoin traces Bitcoin’s development from its cypherpunk roots to its emergence as a global cultural movement. The First Edition includes:
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128 original artworks created exclusively for the book
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Insights from over 100 interviews with influential early Bitcoin contributors
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Commentary from figures such as
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Martti Malmi, an early Bitcoin developer who worked directly with Satoshi Nakamoto
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Max Keiser, one of the earliest media advocates of Bitcoin
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Aaron van Wirdum, renowned Bitcoin journalist and author
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Contributing artists include internationally recognized names such as Jesse Draxler, Jake Fried, GMUNK, Billelis, Hackatao, Jenni Pasanen, and Paul Seibert—artists whose collective work has generated more than $250 million in global sales.
A Collector’s Item with Symbolic Design
The 256-page structure of the First Edition pays homage to Bitcoin’s SHA-256 cryptographic backbone. Its physical production incorporates more than 40 specialized printing techniques, reflecting the network’s technical precision. The book is housed in a 5,000-year-old fossilized black oak collector’s box, featuring a bespoke emblem handcrafted by Asprey Studio and a dual-sided opening mechanism created by a master artisan.
The auction’s global opening coincides with a U.S. launch event at Pubkey in New York. The Smashtoshi team will showcase the First Edition and participate in a panel discussion featuring:
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John Dennehy, Founder of My First Bitcoin
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Daniel Prince, Host of the Once Bitten podcast
Artists, collectors, and industry innovators will gather for an exclusive preview before the project moves to Dubai for an exhibition at Mondoir Gallery.
“Smashtoshi has been building toward this moment for years,” said Jimmy Block, Representative of Smashtoshi. “Launching the auction at Pubkey brings the community together in a powerful way. Seeing that energy move from the room into the bidding reinforces why this project matters.”
Follow-Up Editions with Embedded Code
After the auction of this one-of-one First Edition, Smashtoshi will release 2,139 Collector’s Editions, bringing the total series to 2,140 units—a symbolic reference to the year the final bitcoin is expected to be mined. Each edition includes a unique fragment of Bitcoin’s original source code, meaning all editions together constitute the full codebase, mirroring Bitcoin’s decentralized nature.
Interest in the auction continues to build across art, Bitcoin, and collectible communities.
Proceeds Power Global Education
John Dennehy of My First Bitcoin emphasized the impact of the charitable donation:
“Every bid directly supports our mission to expand accessible, independent Bitcoin education around the world. It’s vital that we teach people how to think, not what to think. The support from Smashtoshi and the artists helps us reach more communities and empower more learners globally.”
Bidding remains open throughout the week. The project’s global tour will conclude in Abu Dhabi at Bitcoin MENA on December 8.
