Chapter 1. Religion and cryptocurrencies: a comparison

When you think about Abrahamic religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, they’re basically organized belief systems focused on worshiping one all-powerful God. These religions influence how people live every day through rituals, rules, and a way of understanding the world and beyond. Surprisingly, if you look at Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, you’ll notice some interesting similarities to these traditional religions.
One big part of religion is the hope for a better life after death—a kind of promise that things will get better. For crypto fans, Bitcoin offers a similar kind of hope, but about money and the future. People who got into Bitcoin early or hold on to it believe they’ll be rewarded when Bitcoin’s price goes way up. In crypto talk, this is called “going to the moon,” which is a lot like religious promises of heaven—something to keep believers motivated and patient.
Another similarity is the strong feeling of community that religion gives people. Cryptocurrencies build that same kind of bond through online chats, forums, and social media, where fans share ideas, news, and help each other out. Just like religion gives people a way to understand their place in the world, crypto offers a new way to think about money and connects people who want to challenge banks and government control.
Religions often see themselves as better than those who don’t believe, and you see this in the crypto world too, especially among Bitcoin maximalists. These hardcore fans think Bitcoin is the best money and look down on regular dollars or other cryptocurrencies. This can create a feeling of being morally or intellectually “above” others, much like some religious groups do.
In this new crypto “faith,” banks and government money are often seen as the bad guys, like the Devil in religion. Many crypto fans believe banks and regular money systems are old, unfair, and control too much. Cryptocurrencies are viewed as a way to break free and create a fairer, more independent financial system.
What’s interesting is that even though many Bitcoin supporters talk tough about banks, they still want to work with Wall Street and big financial companies through things like Bitcoin ETFs. They think Bitcoin will eventually replace the old system, so working with it now is just part of the plan. Their dream is that governments will adopt Bitcoin as the new world money—a kind of financial “heaven” where Bitcoin rules. Because if Bitcoin hits a million dollars but people still have to swap it for regular money to use it1, it’s not truly replacing anything. Working with the current system helps Bitcoin become mainstream.
All this shows that crypto isn’t just about rebellion—it’s also practical. Crypto fans live, think, and connect with each other in ways that feel a lot like a religion does for its followers.

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Unlike Bitcoin, which is focused mainly on decentralization and digital scarcity, alternative cryptocurrencies—called altcoins—have appeared with different goals and ideas. Each altcoin tries to offer something unique and carve out its own space in the ever-growing crypto world. These coins often attract different users based on the features and benefits they provide.
Take Ethereum, for example. It has become a key player in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). What makes Ethereum stand out is that it’s not just digital money—it’s a platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications. Its creator, Vitalik Buterin, has been an important advocate, helping developers and entrepreneurs around the world build new kinds of apps and systems on Ethereum’s network.
Other altcoins like XRP, Litecoin (LTC), and Cardano (ADA) also have dedicated communities. Their supporters believe these coins can improve aspects like transaction speed, lower costs, or better efficiency—areas where Bitcoin either doesn’t focus or can’t compete as well. Each altcoin aims to solve specific problems or provide features Bitcoin lacks.
However, there is a group known as Bitcoin maximalists. These are die-hard fans who believe Bitcoin is the only true cryptocurrency. They often dismiss other coins, calling them “shitcoins.” This attitude is similar to how the official Christian church once condemned heretics who challenged dominant beliefs. Bitcoin maxis see altcoins as distractions or threats to Bitcoin’s mission, viewing Bitcoin as the pure and original cryptocurrency that should be the focus of the crypto world.
This divide between Bitcoin and altcoins highlights the different visions people have for the future of digital money.