Evan SelemaniSince its emergence in 2008, Bitcoin has been a source of fascination, skepticism and, for some, extraordinary wealth.
The stories ofbitcoin investors bold (and lucky) people who have bet on this digital currency and who have seen their lives transformed are not rare.
Let's discover together ten of these stories, which tell of the meteoric rise of ordinary people propelled into the world of millionaires thanks to Bitcoin.
1. Javed Khan: A trader who bought a Bentley using bitcoin
Once upon a time, in 2018, there was a trader named Javed Khan who, without really looking for it, stumbled upon the magic bean of modern times: Bitcoin.
At a time when a Bitcoin was barely worth $3 Javed used this crypto just to send money. For what ? Because it was simpler and less hassle than fighting with your bank who constantly asked him if his password had a capital letter, a number, a special character and the first name of his cat.
But then, every time he forgot a little Bitcoin in the corner of his digital wallet, bam, the value went up!
Where most would have panicked, Javed had a strategy of his own: "When everyone bored on the Bitcoin price, it's time to buy." In other words, when there were no sensational headlines like "Bitcoin: Soon to be 1 million!", he invested, but always cautiously, only putting into play the equivalent of what he spent on fun socks each month.
Then, in 2020, the fairy tale reaches its peak: it collects its profits and treats itself to a nice luxury car, a brand new Bentley! When he sent the video of his new toy to his mother, she shed a little tear, probably thinking that she should have listened to her son and bought Bitcoin rather than those damn Tupperwares. Moral of the story? When we believe in potential of Bitcoin, we can end up rolling in gold… or at least in a Bentley!
2. »Mr. Smith, software engineer who traveled the world thanks to Bitcoin
Graduated in 2008, Mr. Smith (if that is indeed his real name, because between us, it is a pseudonym as mysterious as the name of the inventor of Bitcoin) began his career in the heart of Silicon Valley, in one of those big tech companies where people speak more often in binary than in poetry. And if his colleagues were just as geeky as him, we could say that they were a real group of passionate nerds!
In 2010, perhaps inspired by a premonition or just a craze, he bet $3. With Bitcoin at 000 cents at the time, he ended up with a whopping 15 bitcoins. “I thought, why not? Let’s see where this adventure takes me,” he thought.
Three years later, when our dear Mr. Smith had almost forgotten his precious bits in the face of the incessant call of his daily life, Bitcoin made a spectacular entrance into the news. Seeing the price rise like the temperature during a heatwave, he sold some of his coins and collected $2,3 million. Without further ado, he packed his bags and said to himself: "Goodbye Silicon Valley, hello world!"
3. “Daniel Crocker: Bitcoin Helped Me Buy My House”
In 2012, Daniel Crocker, then a simple apprentice in an IT company, spent his lunch breaks exchanging ideas for making ends meet with his colleagues. You know, those usual discussions where we talk about starting a rock band or starting a YouTube channel about growing bonsai.
But one day the topic of Bitcoin came up. Rather than buying this somewhat expensive ham sandwich, Daniel decided to give it a try by investing in this mysterious digital currency.
And, oh boy, what a shot! Far from jumping off the diving board like some crypto-adventurers, Daniel, with his legendary prudence, preferred to wade into the Bitcoin paddling pool. He wisely kept these digital gold coins for 8 years, watching them grow like goldfish in a bowl.
Last year, when his bitcoins looked like they were about to jump out of the jar, he decided to sell. With that, he was able to put down half the deposit on his dream home. Looking at his new home, he said: I know people who have immersed themselves in Bitcoin. But honestly, with what I got, I feel like the guy who found a pearl in an oyster when he thought he was just eating seafood!«
4. Jérémy Gardner devotes himself to cryptocurrencies
Jérémy Gardner fell in love with digital technology at first sight. Not for a dating app, but for Bitcoin. For what ? Because he discovered that thanks to this little wonder, anyone on Earth, with a semblance of Wi-Fi, could send money to another person on the other side of the world. Not bad for a first date, right?
In 2013, armed with his passion and an insatiable curiosity, he decided to flirt a little more seriously with crypto. This is how he began to give, give, and give again to the crypto industry, a bit like a transfixed lover offering chocolates.
But Jeremy wasn't the type to just give flowers. No, he founded the BlockChain Education network, a non-profit organization intended to educate the general public about Bitcoin.
And because the gentleman was not the type to stop there, he launched Augur, a decentralized crypto prediction platform.
And to top it all off? Well, he created the “Crypto-Castle,” a house in San Francisco that, despite its name, doesn’t look like a medieval castle, but it was still home to over 6 multi-millionaires. Not bad for a guy who’s been called “crazy” on numerous occasions, right?
“We have been told time and time again that Bitcoin is going to die out. And yet, there he is, beaming like never before. There is a special taste of revenge when you believe in something and the world thinks you are naive.", laughs Gardner. It's certain, some have more exciting love stories than others!
5. Kane Ellis, Australian entrepreneur who cashed in 2 to 4 Bitcoins for a meal at McDonald's.
Kane Ellis, the South Australian, is a bit like the guy who bought a fishing rod and thought, “Why not?” and caught a giant tuna on his first outing. Passionate about technology from the cradle (well, maybe not from the cradle, but you get the idea), he founded Nerd Herd, his technology consulting firm when he was barely an adult. He quickly followed that up by launching the CarSwap app. But his masterstroke? Starting to mine Bitcoin in 2010, when the coin was worth about the same as a small coffee.
But be careful, every story has its share of pitfalls. For Kane, it was a burger. Yes, you read correctly. He traded 2 to 4 of his precious bitcoins for a Big Mac combo. Today, this same combo could be worth a small house, or even a castle in France.
But let's not cry over that spilled milkshake! Kane bounced back. A few years later, he treated himself to a little treat with his remaining bitcoins. And when we say "little treat," we mean a bright yellow Maserati. The moral? Even if your burger costs you a fortune (literally), with skill and perseverance, you can always make up for it... with class ! So, ready to write your own Bitcoin fairy tale?
6. Bitcoin makes Terry Proud happy
Terry Proud, this intrepid Australian retiree, is living proof that you can be at the cutting edge of modernity, even with a few gray hairs. In 2017, when Bitcoin was still considered by many to be the digital equivalent of a sports bet on a three-legged horse, Terry decided to turn some of his retirement savings into electronic tokens. Who said seniors and technology don't mix?
And if some of his friends at the bowling club looked at him with eyes as wide as saucers, Terry did not hesitate to join the self-managed super funds (SMSF) movement to ride the cryptocurrency wave.
When Nine News approached him for his thoughts on this bold investment, he simply responded with a mischievous smile that would be hard to remove even with pliers. In short, good old Terry shows us that it's never too late to be fashionable... or to make an investment that will shut the skeptics up!
7. Kristoffer Koch: A student who feels financially free thanks to Bitcoin
In 2009, while some students were spending their money on pizza or video games, favorite Kristoffer Koch was getting his hands on a treasure. While working on his dissertation on Bitcoin, he came across Satoshi Nakamoto's white paper.
Rather than taking it as yet another science fiction novel, he had the brilliant idea of investing $26,60 in this strange currency called Bitcoin. Of course, at the time, it was like buying magic beans for many, including his better half, who looked at him with a look of "WHAT are you spending our money on?!"
But hey, those “magic beans” turned out to be 5 bitcoins. Just that. Fast forward to 000, and Kristoffer opened the newspaper one morning and had to spit out his coffee in surprise. His bitcoins were worth a fortune! He sold 2013 of them, buying himself an apartment fit for a crypto king, while keeping the remaining 1, which today would probably weigh more than his apartment weighs in gold bars.
And the little bonus? His girlfriend, after seeing the new apartment (and probably the bank account balance), said with a mischievous smile: “Well, okay, maybe you have the right to choose how to spend your money now.” Ah, the sweet sound of validation!
8. Kingsley Advani: A software engineer who bet everything on Bitcoin
Some bet on poker, others play the lottery, but Kingsley Advani decided to turn his life into an epic game of “All or Nothing” with Bitcoin. In 2017, when many were still hesitant to dive into the cryptic world of cryptocurrencies, Kingsley saw it as a golden opportunity.
He literally bet the farm, emptying his bank account and selling even his laptop (let's hope he saved his vacation photos!) to invest $34 in Bitcoin. A few snaps of his fingers (and a few emotional roller coasters) later, he was counting his winnings in the millions.
Today, Kingsley flits between San Francisco, New York and London, not as a tourist, but as a leading advisor to crypto startups. He says: This is our little rebellion against old-school finance.". We bet he doesn't regret selling that laptop!
9. Erik Finman made a million dollars at the age of 17
Erik Finman is living proof that advice from a grandmother and a flashy shirt can lead to riches. At the age when his colleagues were saving up to buy the latest video game, young Erik, with his visionary flair, invested $1 (a gift from grandma, thanks grandma!) in this intriguing new thing called Bitcoin. If his decision was inspired by a protest and a stranger with a garish shirt proclaiming the rise of Bitcoin, who are we to judge?
After being so uninspired by his high school years that a teacher suggested a promising career at McDonald's, Erik decided to take on a challenge. He made a bet with his parents that he would be a millionaire before he turned 18. And of course he won, and it wasn't by selling Big Macs!
He launched an educational business from the sanctity of his teenage bedroom, where learning was done via video chat. A year later, he traded this business for a nice sum of 300 bitcoins. And when Bitcoin reached dizzying heights, our dear Erik Finman became a millionaire at 17, and without having to buy a single textbook!
Now, with a Bitcoin wallet that would make many adults green with envy and a thriving career in the crypto world, Erik travels the world, probably with a collection of equally flashy shirts. And even though he didn't graduate, he became a key player in the crypto industry, proving that sometimes the most unconventional path is the most rewarding.
10. Heather Delaney, Business Professional
Heather Delaney is living proof that Bitcoin isn't just a game for young adventure seekers or tech geeks. No no ! Even those who prefer hot tea and open fires can find what they're looking for here. With an initial stake equivalent to the price of a good sandwich ($5 to be precise), Heather built her little digital nest, brick by brick, satoshi by satoshi.
While some people dream of luxurious vacations or sports cars with their investments, Heather keeps her eye on the real reward: a golden retirement. She saw her investment grow, despite the roller coaster ride of the crypto market. A 500% increase? Not enough to make her shudder! She is as unshakeable in the face of Bitcoin fluctuations as she is in the face of a stock shortage of her favorite tea.
As she says so well: “ While some people go to great lengths for fleeting gains, I stay focused on my goal: a very expensive Bitcoin for my old age." Heather, with her long-term vision, is the cool grandma we all wish we had, reminding us that wisdom and patience are true assets in the crypto world.
These success stories show that Bitcoin is more than just crypto; it is also an opportunity to change your life. Although the future of Bitcoin remains uncertain, one thing is certain: it has already transformed many lives, and it will continue to do so.
In light of these inspiring stories, the question remains: what will be your own bitcoin story?
Note: There is no financial advice in this or any other article on this site. Be responsible with your investments and only invest as much as you are willing to lose.
Our affiliate links:
Buy cryptocurrencies (the easy way):
Generate interest on your cryptocurrencies:
- Public chat Youhodler (Earn up to 12% interest)
Secure your cryptocurrencies:
To have fun and play
- The best for Esport and bitcoin sports betting : CloudBet
- Discover the bitcoin casinos
