Sixteen years ago the second bitcoin block was mined, creating the first peer-to-peer electronic cash blockchain. For eight years an increasing number of people used bitcoin as such, as a medium of exchange, and they did so in an increasing number of exchanges. The hope that bitcoin could become the people's money against government wishes increased as well. Then a block limit was reached before a solution, whether temporary or lasting, was created. Transaction fees higher than legacy payment system fees prevailed. The people who used and promoted bitcoin split into many factions. Altcoin season began eight years ago and bitcoin has not recovered. Ironically, the flight to altcoins eight years ago relieved the pain for people who still use bitcoin for its original purpose. In a sense altcoins rescued bitcoin while privacy and scaling solutions are explored. Happy sixteenth anniversary, bitcoin blockchain.