Hey everyone,

It's been a few weeks since I made this post. While I don't have too much time to browse these forums, I am grateful for all of your encouragement, support, and advice.

Admittedly, it's been a tough month for Bitcoin holders. With stocks tumbling, riskier assets crashing, geopolitical tensions, an upcoming executive order targeting crypto-assets, etc., Bitcoin has not been spared a fair amount of volatility. With that being said, Bitcoin seems to be holding up fairly well. Considering we hit $33,000 not long ago, the current $38,000-40,000 range gives me comfort.

Having a substantial amount invested in this, I can't help but check the price action on a damn-near hourly basis. A previous version of myself would have panic sold by now, and of course temptation is always in the air. However, shifting my mindset to think LONG term has become easier over time. To those of you thinking about selling, or doubting your investment, the best advice I have for you is to read as much as you can, and learn as much as you can. Bitcoin has helped many around the world attain financial freedom; not necessarily wealth, but the freedom to transact when otherwise not possible. We are still early, and I will continue to add to my Bitcoin investment every month.. even $20 makes a difference.

Personally, I don't think a full-blown war is going to happen. I think this upcoming executive order will be a call for a crypto task-force, or something similar, to better understand the technology. I'm not worried about my assets being frozen, exchanges being shut down, etc. I think when governments and institutions begin to realize Bitcoin as legitimate, and inevitable, the tide will change. Of course, do your own research, but I'm focused on the LONG game.

Congratulations, friend! I made a similar post a week or two ago after meeting my own personal Bitcoin milestone. You've already acquired a significant asset in .5 Bitcoin. Keep plugging away, and keep adding to your bag. Before you know it, you'll be at .6, .83, and 1!

And of course.. Hold onto it and don't let it go!

Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement. If I could, I’d respond to each and every one of you. I will say, to all of those who hope to acquire one Bitcoin, to just start. Whether it’s $50, $500, or $5000.. Just start your journey. As you start to see your progress (i.e. .10 BTC, .37 BTC, .67 BTC, etc.) your motivation truly kicks in.

Sell some junk you have laying around on eBay. Put $20 per paycheck into Bitcoin. Move $1000 from your savings into Bitcoin. Get started, and enjoy the ride.

It’s funny.. Despite no longer putting too much time and effort into altcoins, I feel they play an important role of sorts, and I’m thankful for their existence. In a sense, I see them as somewhat positive network effects to Bitcoin. At the very least, a curious investor will open up an account on Gemini or Coinbase and even if they avoid Bitcoin due to the price, they have the option for exposure. When they open their app, they’ll see “BTC”, and perhaps after 10, 100, or 1000 times, they’ll decide that there’s something special about Bitcoin, and decide to do some more research.

This somewhat describes my journey. I had the sense that something was there, but kept trying to convince myself that a certain altcoin or two were better investments. I couldn’t fathom allocating so much money to one asset. However, knowledge is power, and after reading Satoshi’s white paper, and testimony from experts, I “got it”.

As I learn more, I’d love to become more involved in Bitcoin, the community, and it’s future. Despite having only very basic technological skill, I’m determined to contribute in one way or another. Thank you.

Hello all,

After years of dabbling in crypto, through the highs and lows, the profits and losses, the mistakes and the lessons learned, I finally feel a sense of satisfaction. Like many, I heard stories of overnight riches, and felt the need to get involved. Dog-themed coins and the odd euphoric state of owning 1,000,000,000,000 of something.. ANYTHING.. it all just lacked sense and clarity. It was gambling, pure and simple.

Toward the end of 2021, I sold it all. I had some successes and some failures, yet no direction and zero certainty. I needed to start from scratch, educate myself, read books, listen to experts.. and I did. I soon realized that I should have been investing in Bitcoin all along. Key word: investing. Forget trading, forget short term profits and losses. Rather, accumulating this finite asset in smaller amounts for the benefit of my future. I felt the urgent need to acquire one full Bitcoin, and I did. For the first time in my crypto journey, I feel that sense of certainty that I had been lacking.

Did I stretch my budget to achieve this? Yes. Will I be OK personally if it goes to 0? Yes. This is a risk I am willing to take, and the more I learn, the more confident I am in my investment.

Now that I have one Bitcoin, I need to cherish it. My next move will be transferring it from an exchange to a cold wallet (Ledger, perhaps?)

Looking forward to furthering my Bitcoin journey with you all on these forums.

Best.