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In the 1990s, the growing concern over government surveillance and restrictions birthed the Cypherpunk movement, wherein figures like Eric Hughes, Timothy May, and John Gilmore advocated for cryptographic solutions to liberate individuals from state control. Hughes' "Cypherpunk Manifesto" outlined the fundamental belief that code itself could serve as an instrument of freedom.
The Evolution Towards Bitcoin
Nakamoto articulated how various pioneering ideologies ultimately culminated in the creation of Bitcoin. He highlighted seminal thinkers like Nick Szabo, who theorized about digital contracts—termed smart contracts—which aim to eliminate the need for trusted third parties, thus advancing the anarchistic vision of a decentralized monetary system.