Bitcoin Hamster. How to succeed in cryptocurrencies

Chapter 1: Why Bitcoin is the Eighth Wonder of the World

“There are 58 million millionaires in the world, but only 21 million bitcoins.”

The dream of a better world has been changing humanity for centuries. Following the dynamic development of technology, various opinion leaders are questioning existing models of society in terms of their future sustainability. Personal freedom versus coercion and control by the state, or a more comfortable and easier life at the cost of losing privacy. These questions are a metaphor for deep reflections on the digitalization of our world and the interaction of man with technology. Proponents of the crypto-economy view the new model of decentralization, based on blockchain technology, as a possible path to creating a world that promises to be more just and equitable.

On October 31, 2008, a programmer under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto published a short article in a cryptographic mailing list announcing the creation of a “new decentralized electronic payment system” that operates without intermediaries. The article reported a system where all transactions are carried out directly, without the need for trusted third parties. The author provided a brief overview of the article and a link to the full version. The main idea was to create a payment system with its own currency, using complex mathematical algorithms to verify transactions without involving intermediaries. The issuance of this digital currency was supposed to occur automatically, with a set frequency, rewarding users for the computational efforts spent on confirming transactions.

Despite the fact that most previous attempts to create digital money were unsuccessful, the system proposed by Satoshi Nakamoto managed to find its place. At first, it seemed that Bitcoin would attract only a narrow circle of cryptographers, since in its first year only a few dozen users joined the network. They began mining and exchanging “coins,” which at that time had merely collectible value. However, in October 2009, an online exchange completed a transaction selling 5,050 bitcoins for $5.02, which was equivalent to 1 dollar per 1,006 coins. This became the first instance of exchanging digital currency for fiat money, and the exchange rate was based on the cost of electricity spent on mining it. This moment proved critically important for the history of cryptocurrency, as Bitcoin began to be seen not as a programmer’s toy but as a real market commodity with a price people were willing to pay.

On May 22, 2010, another landmark event took place: a user spent 10,000 bitcoins on two pizzas worth a total of $25. This was the first recorded use of Bitcoin as a means of exchanging goods. The transformation of Bitcoin from a commodity into a medium of exchange took roughly seven months. Since then, the number of users and transactions on the Bitcoin network has steadily increased, and computational power has continued to grow. As a result, over the next few years, the cryptocurrency’s price soared to record levels.

Today, we can confidently say that Nakamoto’s invention has become not just a hobby for enthusiasts but a technology that has successfully passed market testing and solves real problems. Bitcoin’s exchange rate is already included in news reports alongside national currency rates. Bitcoin should be viewed as distributed software that enables the transfer of valuable payments through a currency that is inflation-resistant and independent of centralized intermediaries. In other words, Bitcoin automates the functions of modern central banks through code that runs across thousands of machines. This provides near-complete security, as changes to the code can only be made with the consent of all network participants. Thus, Bitcoin became the first viable digital currency, offering reliability and stability. Although it emerged in the computer age, its goals providing a means of payment fully controlled by its owner and nearly immune to inflation have been relevant since ancient times.

To understand Bitcoin, one must first explore the nature of money, its functions, and its history. Food, salt, animal hides, gold, silver, IOUs, and even shiny objects have all served as money at various points in time. The value we now call money can be converted into different goods and services. Clearly, money has undergone many changes throughout history, from physical coins and banknotes to today’s digital forms. This evolution reflects the growth and increasing complexity of society. Currency is the practical embodiment of the concept of money, and to function properly, it must meet three key criteria: it must serve as a reliable store of value, provide an efficient method of transferring value, and act as a convenient unit of account that can be measured and compared. The key element behind these criteria is public trust. This is why many early forms of exchange such as livestock, shells, or shiny objects failed to become established forms of money. They did not meet all the requirements: they were unstable in value, inconvenient to transport, and difficult to measure and compare. Among all forms of currency, gold is one of the oldest and most well-known. It possesses several important qualities that make it an ideal currency:

Rarity and durability: Gold is a rare metal that is difficult to reproduce or mine. It does not decay or change over time, preserving its properties and value. Even when used in jewelry, its characteristics remain intact.

Ease of transport: Thanks to its high density, gold is compact and easy to carry, which is a significant advantage compared to, for instance, livestock.

Uniformity: Gold has high uniformity one ounce of pure gold is equal to another ounce. This simplifies trade and makes gold convenient for exchange, unlike shells or gemstones, which vary widely in value.

The value of gold is based on public trust formed through its rarity, fungibility, portability, and resistance to decay. However, over time, the shortcomings of using gold as currency became evident. Fraudsters began adding less valuable metals to gold, reducing its original worth. People also grew tired of carrying heavy gold bars and sought more convenient alternatives. Dividing gold also proved difficult in everyday commerce. Searching for a better solution, people turned to paper money backed by gold. The principle was simple: you deposited gold (or silver) at a bank and received a document known as an IOU. You could then use this note in the real world just as you previously used gold. Paper money was far lighter, easily divisible, and banks could make it difficult to counterfeit. Thus, paper met all the necessary criteria and, most importantly, had the public’s trust, since the IOU was backed by gold.

But what is wrong with today’s paper money, you may ask? Do you want the bitter truth? In the 1950s, most countries around the world abandoned the so-called “gold standard,” decoupling their money supply from gold. Even the US dollar, the world’s reserve currency, abandoned the gold standard in favor of “free floating” on the open market in 1971. Governments wanted greater control over inflation and deflation by regulating the amount of money in circulation. Suddenly, any central bank could increase or decrease the money supply at will. Money became a commodity worth only what people were willing to pay for it on global markets or as much as it inspired trust domestically. Modern paper money ceased to be a store of value. Paper money is valuable only to you: you cannot print more of it, but central banks can, because money is no longer tied to gold, allowing governments to multiply currency at their discretion.

The government prints money, and as a result of inflation, its value falls. Instead of trusting a gold peg, we now have to trust something entirely new: a central authority that we hope will take care of paper money and make it a good store of value. If what happened could be described in one sentence, it would be this: with the advent of paper money, the monetary system became centralized. In the era of gold, it was decentralized. Anyone could go and mine gold. Anyone could own it. With the emergence of digital money, centralization increased even further. Central institutions were tasked with deciding who could open an account, managing transfer limits, and, most importantly, maintaining people’s balances. Without this control, anyone could simply copy and multiply digital money on their computer as they pleased. Centralization gave money a new function: control over the people who want to use it.

Think about a paper dollar or a physical metal coin. When you hand this money to someone else, they don’t need to know who you are. They simply need to trust that the money they receive from you isn’t counterfeit. Usually, people verify money visually, by touch, or with special equipment, especially for large amounts. Since we live in a digital society, most of our payments are now made electronically through intermediaries: a credit card company such as Visa, a digital payment provider such as PayPal or Apple Pay, or an online platform like WeChat in China. The shift toward digital payments introduces the necessity of a central actor who must authorize and verify every transaction. This is due to the transformation of money from a physical form – something you can carry, transfer, and verify yourself – into a digital form: bits that must be stored and validated by a third party that controls their transfer. By agreeing to exchange the ability to pay with cash for the convenience of digital payments, we also create a system in which we grant exclusive power to those who may attempt to restrict us. The central organization bears responsibility and can dictate what people can and cannot do with their money. And many have wondered: is it possible to have a digital (fully non-physical) monetary system with all its benefits, but without a central trusted party? Bitcoin offers an alternative to centrally managed digital money by using a system that brings back the peer-to-peer nature of cash but does so in digital form.

Bitcoin is perhaps the best tool for preserving value amid inflation and the instability of fiat currencies. In today’s world, where inflation rapidly erodes the purchasing power of traditional currencies, more and more people are turning to alternative ways of preserving their capital. One such solution is Bitcoin. But what earned Bitcoin this status, and what advantages does it have over fiat money? The key difference is its limited supply. Unlike the dollar, euro, and other government currencies – whose supply can be expanded endlessly – the total number of bitcoins will never exceed 21 million. This is mathematically fixed in its code and cannot be changed by governments or corporations. Such scarcity makes Bitcoin a rare asset that cannot be devalued through “money printing.” Moreover, Bitcoin’s issuance is transparent and predictable. Every four years, a “halving” occurs – cutting in half the reward for mining new coins. This reduces Bitcoin’s inflation rate and makes it a fundamentally deflationary asset. Unlike in the fiat system, where decisions are often made behind the closed doors of central banks, Bitcoin’s mechanism is open and independent of political interests.

In times of economic crises, instability, sanctions, and currency devaluation, Bitcoin proves itself to be an independent, global asset available to anyone with internet access. It cannot be frozen, blocked, or seized it exists outside the banking system, making it especially attractive to people in countries with limited financial freedom or hyperinflation. Notable examples include Argentina, Turkey, and Nigeria, where Bitcoin has become for many the only way to preserve savings.

Finally, Bitcoin is digital scarcity. Unlike gold, it is easy to store, transfer, and divide. One BTC can be split into 100 million satoshis, making it convenient even for small transactions and micro-savings. This flexibility makes it not only an investment tool but also a means of financial freedom for millions of people around the world.

Bitcoin is not just a speculative asset or a trendy fad. It is a real tool for protecting your money in a world where trust in traditional financial institutions is decreasing, and fiat currencies are becoming increasingly unstable. In conditions of high inflation and uncertainty, Bitcoin acts as the digital equivalent of 21st-century gold – reliable, scarce, and independent.

There are 58 million millionaires in the world and only 21 million bitcoins. Even if each one wanted just a single bitcoin, there still wouldn’t be enough. Buy Bitcoin every month for a fixed amount – regardless of the price. Do it consistently, year after year, and over time you’ll build capital that can secure your retirement. This strategy is called DCA (Dollar-Cost Averaging) – one of the simplest and most reliable ways to accumulate wealth in a highly volatile environment. Had a child? Start saving for them – not in inflationary fiat currencies, but in an asset with a limited supply. Buy Bitcoin every month, and by the time the child is 16—18 years old, you will have created a starting capital that can be used for:

College education

A down payment on a home – or even the purchase of one

Starting a business or building an investment portfolio

Or simply giving them a strong foundation in this unstable world, where every financial decision matters

Stability lies in consistency. Confidence in the future lies in the actions you take today.

Chapter 2: The Age of Opportunity and Excuses

“Never has a person had so many reasons to succeed, and so many excuses not to.”

“There was a time when you should have bought Bitcoin back in 2010. Now it’s already too late.”

“I live in a country with few opportunities. We’re not used to taking risks here, let alone believing in some kind of virtual money.”

“We were never rich – why start now, as they say? Besides, it’s all a scam. A bubble. Pure speculation.”

“Now it’s definitely too late – whoever made it, made it. The rest will just keep living as they used to. Not meant to be.”

But all of this isn’t a set of reasons – it’s a set of convenient excuses. Everyone had work, family, loans. Everyone had fear and confusion. Everyone had slow internet and doubts. But some people, despite all that, still tried. They made mistakes, learned, lost money, but kept moving forward. Yes, it would be great to go back with the knowledge we have now. But what’s far more important is not to get stuck in the past – it’s to look at what you can do today. Because new opportunities haven’t disappeared. They’ve simply changed their form. Were you not born rich? All the more reason to start – that’s exactly why you have something to strive for. Because if you don’t start, no one will start for you. And then, ten years from now, you’ll say again: “I should’ve done it back in 2025…”

Never in history have there been so many ways to build wealth – and more importantly, never has there been such a need for it as there is today. Prices rise faster than salaries. Currencies lose value, and stability has become an illusion. Being just “fine” is no longer enough – it’s a risk. An emergency fund isn’t a luxury; it’s a condition for survival. We live in a time when knowledge, reaction speed, and adaptability have become the main currencies. The world has gone digital, borders have become symbolic, and wealth is now made not by those with the best starting position, but by those who adapt the fastest. Becoming wealthy is no longer about yachts and villas. It’s about freedom – the freedom to live without fear, to choose where and how to work, what to do, and where your children grow up. It’s not just a goal – it’s a way to protect yourself from chaos.

Throughout human history, there have been certain periods when individuals or groups could rapidly build wealth thanks to shifts in the economy, technology, discoveries, and social change.

Here are the key historical stages when this was especially possible:

1. The Age of Discovery (15th—17th centuries)

During this period, European states began actively exploring new sea routes and lands beyond Europe. The reasons varied – the search for new trade routes, the extraction of rare goods, and the expansion of influence and territories.

Why was it possible to get rich quickly?

Discovery of new lands and resources. In the Americas, Africa, and Asia, huge deposits of gold, silver, precious stones, and other valuable resources were found. New lands made it possible to create plantations where spices, sugar, and tobacco were grown – goods that were extremely expensive in Europe.

Monopoly on trade in rare goods. Portugal and Spain received exclusive rights to trade with their new colonies. Control over spices (such as cloves and nutmeg) ensured enormous profits.

Slavery and exploitation. The slave trade provided cheap labor for plantations, significantly increasing the income of colonizers. The triangular trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas was an extremely profitable business.

Treasures from the conquistadors. Spanish conquistadors conquered civilizations (the Aztecs, the Incas), seizing gold and silver. Huge flows of precious metals from the New World entered Europe, creating fortunes and strengthening the economies of the mother countries.

Growth of trade and the banking system. With the development of maritime trade came new financial instruments: shares of trading companies, and the financing of expeditions. Merchants who invested in expeditions could receive enormous profits.

Key figures and examples:

Christopher Columbus (Italy/Spain) – discovered America in 1492, initiating Spain’s enrichment.

Ferdinand Magellan (Portugal/Spain) – organized the first circumnavigation of the globe (1519—1522), opening new sea routes.

Hernán Cortés – conquered the Aztec Empire (Mexico), appropriating a vast amount of gold.

Francisco Pizarro – conquered the Inca Empire in South America, bringing immense wealth to the Spanish crown.

Portuguese navigators – opened the sea route to India around Africa, securing control over the spice trade.

Trading companies, such as the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and the English East India Company, became powerful trade monopolies with their own armies and fleets.

What were the mechanisms of rapid enrichment?

Successful expeditions and conquests – individuals who financed or led expeditions received a share of the loot.

Monopoly on trade – control over the supply of rare goods allowed for high prices.

Slave trade – cheap labor increased the profitability of plantations and resource extraction.

Investments in ships and expeditions – risky but potentially highly profitable ventures.

Risks and limitations:

Expeditions were expensive and dangerous – many ships sank and crews died. Political conflicts between countries often shifted the balance of power. Colonial wars and uprisings could lead to the loss of wealth and influence.

2. The Industrial Revolution (18th—19th centuries)

This was a period of large-scale economic, technological, and social transformation that began in Great Britain in the 18th century and spread across the world in the 19th century. The main change was the introduction of machine-based production instead of manual labor.

Why was it possible to get rich quickly at that time?

The emergence and development of new technologies. The steam engine (such as James Watt’s version) made it possible to sharply increase the productivity of factories and transportation. Looms, spinning machines, and new metallurgical technologies were invented.

The development of railways, steamships, and the telegraph significantly accelerated the delivery of goods and the flow of information.

Growth of factories and plants. Mass production reduced the cost of goods, which expanded markets.

Industrialization created high demand for capital and investment. People invested money in enterprises and received large profits.

Financial markets developed. The creation of joint-stock companies enabled more people to participate in business. Banks became more active in lending to industrialists.

Increase in urban population and labor force. Cheap labor increased factory profits.

As production grew, so did the demand for goods both within countries and abroad. Colonies became markets for products and sources of raw materials.

Who could get rich, and how?

Industrialists and entrepreneurs – people who opened or bought factories, plants, and mines.

Example: Andrew Carnegie (steel production in the USA), John D. Rockefeller (oil).

Investors and bankers – those who invested capital in new technologies and enterprises and received dividends.

Examples: the Morgan and Rothschild families – financiers who profited from industrialization.

Merchants and owners of transport companies – owners of railways, steamships, and freight transport businesses.

Inventors and engineers – those who patented new machines and technologies and could sell licenses.

Examples of wealth:

Andrew Carnegie – born in Scotland, emigrated to the USA, and built one of the largest steel companies. His fortune resulted from implementing advanced technologies and aggressive management.

John Rockefeller – founder of the Standard Oil Company. He controlled about 90% of the U.S. oil industry, creating the first true oil monopoly.

James Watt – improved the steam engine, turning it into a widespread industrial power source.

Why was this period risky but profitable?

Large capital investments required substantial initial resources. Competition was intense, and new technologies became obsolete quickly. Labor conflicts, strikes, and social problems also posed risks to businesses.

The Industrial Revolution created conditions for rapid capital accumulation for those who knew how to: invest in innovative technologies, create or expand large-scale production, use new markets and resources, and organize efficient management and logistics.