Cryptocurrencies are more than just digital assets that can be traded or used as a form of payment. They are also a source of inspiration, innovation, and excitement for many people around the world. In this article, we will share some of the best crypto stories and experiences that showcase the potential, diversity, and impact of this emerging technology.
The pizza that started it all
One of the most famous crypto stories is the one about the first ever Bitcoin transaction. On May 22, 2010, a programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz posted on a Bitcoin forum that he was willing to pay 10,000 bitcoins for two pizzas. At the time, Bitcoin was worth less than a cent, so the pizzas were worth about $41. A fellow user named jercos agreed to the deal and ordered two pizzas from Papa John’s for Hanyecz, who then sent him the bitcoins. The transaction was recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain and became a historic moment in crypto history. Today, those 10,000 bitcoins are worth over $400 million, making those pizzas the most expensive ones ever bought.
The teenager who became a millionaire
Another remarkable crypto story is the one about Erik Finman, a teenager who became a millionaire thanks to Bitcoin. Finman was 12 years old when he received $1,000 from his grandmother as a gift. He decided to invest it in Bitcoin, which was then worth about $12 per coin. He bought 100 bitcoins and held on to them as the price rose over the years. He also started his own online education platform, Botangle, which he later sold for 300 bitcoins. By the time he was 18, he had amassed over 400 bitcoins, which were worth over $1 million at the time. Finman is now 22 and still holds some of his bitcoins, as well as other cryptocurrencies. He is also involved in various projects and initiatives in the crypto space, such as the Metal Pay app and the Solarin smartphone.
The woman who traveled the world with crypto
A more adventurous crypto story is the one about Jessica VerSteeg, a former Miss Iowa and reality TV star who traveled the world with crypto. VerSteeg was fascinated by the idea of using cryptocurrencies as a global currency that could enable anyone to travel without borders or fees. She decided to embark on a challenge to visit 12 countries in 12 months, using only crypto as her means of payment. She documented her journey on her blog and social media, where she shared her experiences and tips on how to use crypto in different places. She also met with local crypto communities and learned about their projects and challenges. VerSteeg completed her challenge in 2018, having visited countries such as Japan, Thailand, Australia, Germany, and Brazil. She proved that it is possible to travel the world with crypto, as long as you are willing to be flexible and creative.
The man who donated millions to charity
A more altruistic crypto story is the one about the anonymous donor who gave away millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin to charity. The donor, who goes by the pseudonym Pine, created the Pineapple Fund in 2017, a philanthropic project that aimed to donate 5,057 bitcoins (worth about $86 million at the time) to various causes and organizations. Pine said that he was inspired by the Bitcoin community and wanted to give back to the world. He chose the recipients of his donations based on their impact, innovation, and efficiency, as well as his personal values and interests. Some of the beneficiaries of the Pineapple Fund include the Internet Archive, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Water Project, the Against Malaria Foundation, and the Open Medicine Foundation. Pine also encouraged other crypto holders to join him in his mission and donate to the causes they care about.
The artist who sold his work for millions of dollars
A more recent and trendy crypto story is the one about the artist who sold his work for millions of dollars using a new form of digital art called NFTs. NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are unique and verifiable digital tokens that represent ownership of a digital asset, such as an image, a video, a song, or a game item. NFTs are created and traded on blockchain platforms, such as Ethereum, and can be bought and sold using cryptocurrencies. One of the most prominent NFT artists is Mike Winkelmann, better known as Beeple, who has been creating and posting a digital artwork every day since 2007. In March 2021, he sold a collage of his first 5,000 artworks, titled “Everydays: The First 5000 Days”, for a staggering $69 million at Christie’s, making it the third most expensive artwork ever sold by a living artist. Beeple’s success has sparked a wave of interest and innovation in the NFT space, as well as a debate on the value and future of digital art.
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