“Bitcoin is so bloody hard to explain,” the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, once wrote. Over a decade later, those words still ring true. Attempting to explain Bitcoin succinctly often feels like navigating a quagmire. For instance, I could describe Bitcoin as an asset similar to gold but without gold’s physical defects. I could add that it’s ethically, thermodynamically, and economically sound, safeguarded by a fortress of energy and ever-growing computational power. Yet, such descriptions only seem to raise more questions than they answer. What remains undeniable, however, is this: Bitcoin’s value keeps climbing, and it has become an unstoppable force in the financial world. A few years ago, I was completely absorbed in writing Absolute Radio, a book that consumed all my focus. Little did I know that Bitcoin would one day capture my attention to a similar degree.
The 100k Breaking News
I experienced this firsthand on December 5, 2024. I was at work when I received a message that Bitcoin had crossed the psychological milestone of $100,000. The message came from Thea, a close friend and passionate Bitcoin enthusiast based in Perth. The notification appeared on my Apple Watch—a simple photo with the figure $100,108.40, starkly written in white on a black background.
It took me only a few seconds to read the message, but the gravity of the moment lingered far longer. A quick smile flashed across my face, and I tried to refocus on my work. Yet, my mind kept returning to that number, replaying it like a song stuck on repeat. The significance was immense: Bitcoin reaching an all-time high meant anyone who had ever invested in it—no matter when—was now in profit. It also signified that Bitcoin had surged over 120% since the beginning of 2024, catapulting it into the realm of a $2 trillion global asset.
The Bitcoin Evangelists
The milestone wasn’t just a financial achievement; it was a cultural one as well. Among Bitcoin’s most vocal advocates is Michael Saylor, the Chairman of MicroStrategy and a self-proclaimed Bitcoin evangelist. Known for his unwavering belief in Bitcoin’s potential, Saylor had reportedly planned a grand celebration to mark this achievement. His enthusiasm wasn’t surprising. For years, he had championed Bitcoin as the ultimate reserve asset for corporations and even lobbied tech giants like Microsoft to adopt the “Bitcoin standard.”
Saylor wasn’t alone in his excitement. Hundreds of Bitcoin thought leaders across the globe had long anticipated this moment, united in their belief that Bitcoin would breach $100,000 well before the end of 2024. The celebrations within the ever-growing Bitcoin community were nothing short of euphoric. Many saw it as the first step toward an even loftier goal: Bitcoin at $1 million per coin. On one popular Bitcoin forum, a simple yet jubilant message read, “Bitcoin is 0.1, guys!”—a nod to the fact that Bitcoin had reached 10% of a million dollars.
Why Bitcoin is Still So Hard to Understand
Despite its remarkable achievements, Bitcoin remains an enigma for many. Part of the challenge lies in its uniqueness. There has never been anything quite like Bitcoin before, and comparisons to existing assets like gold or fiat currencies often fall short. Its intricacies run deep, with layers of technology, economics, and game theory interwoven into its design.
Compounding this complexity is the rapid pace of innovation in the Bitcoin space. Every week seems to bring new developments, concepts, or use cases that add to the already steep learning curve. Andreas M. Antonopoulos, one of Bitcoin’s earliest educators and author of Mastering Bitcoin, once remarked that his book became obsolete the moment it was published. Such is the pace of change in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
For those willing to invest the time, however, understanding Bitcoin is far from impossible. Antonopoulos suggests that a dedicated 100 hours of study can provide a solid foundation. This effort pays dividends, as grasping Bitcoin’s principles often leads to a profound appreciation for its revolutionary potential.
A Vision Spanning Centuries
One of Bitcoin’s most remarkable features is its meticulously programmed monetary policy. The final Bitcoin will be mined around the year 2140, with new bitcoins introduced into circulation at predictable, diminishing intervals approximately every 10 minutes. This built-in scarcity is a stark contrast to the endless money printing of traditional fiat systems and is a key driver of Bitcoin’s long-term value proposition.
What does this mean for its future? For one, Bitcoin’s impact will extend far beyond our lifetimes. With 120 years remaining before the last Bitcoin is mined, the world will continue to discuss, analyze, and adopt Bitcoin as a cornerstone of the global financial system. Michael Saylor has even described 2025 as “year one” of Bitcoin’s true adoption phase, following its 15-year proof-of-concept period.
The Bitcoin Revolution is Here
One thing is certain: the Bitcoin ship has sailed, and it’s no ordinary vessel. It’s a mammoth ocean liner, unstoppable in its journey, destined to circumnavigate the globe endlessly without refueling. Along the way, it will disrupt the global monetary system, repricing everything of value in its wake.
Bitcoin’s rise has already forced governments, corporations, and individuals to rethink the concept of money itself. Central banks around the world are racing to develop digital currencies, often viewed as a defensive response to Bitcoin’s growing influence. Meanwhile, institutional investors and corporations are increasingly adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets, recognizing its potential as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
The transformative power of Bitcoin extends beyond finance. It represents a new paradigm for ownership, trust, and decentralization. Unlike traditional assets, Bitcoin is not controlled by any government or corporation. Its decentralized nature ensures that no single entity can manipulate its supply or value. This independence has made Bitcoin a beacon of hope for millions around the world, particularly in regions plagued by economic instability or authoritarian regimes.
The Road Ahead
As Bitcoin continues its ascent, the questions surrounding its potential seem boundless. Could it one day replace gold as the world’s preferred store of value? Will it become the backbone of a new, decentralized financial system? Or could it even redefine the very concept of wealth itself?
While the answers to these questions remain uncertain, one thing is clear: Bitcoin is here to stay. Its journey from an obscure experiment in cryptography to a $2 trillion asset has been nothing short of extraordinary. And yet, this may only be the beginning.
For the next century or and beyond, Bitcoin offers not just an investment opportunity but also a front-row seat to one of the most significant technological and economic revolutions in human history.
As I reflect on the day Bitcoin crossed $100,000, I’m intrigued about the immense potential this digital asset holds. It’s not just about the price milestones or the headlines; it’s about the vision of a fairer, more inclusive financial system. The bitcoin boat has sailed. It is a mammoth ocean liner that is unstoppable, and bound to circumnavigate the globe endlessly without refueling. It will disrupt the global monetary system and reprice everything that has value.
So naturally, this won’t be the last time I write about Bitcoin.
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