Dear Crypto,
You represent something to me that I never quite knew how to articulate until recently. You represent a different life path, an alternative future, a slice of hope that I’ve always been intrigued by. I understand why many people may be hesitant to learn about or embrace crypto, given the fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) that often surrounds it, particularly in light of recent crypto scams and long standing environmental concerns. However, I strongly believe that taking the time to understand what crypto can offer is worth it, as it can have a significant impact on the future.
When I was growing up, I didn't know much about building generational wealth or investing. I thought the only way to achieve financial success was to work hard, study, and take a profitable career path. During university, I realised that working for myself and doing something that mattered to me was more meaningful. I believe that crypto can enable this kind of lifestyle, one in which individuals can work remotely, on their own terms, and have complete control over their funds and assets. I envision a future in which people have more individual power, transacting goods and services online, securely recorded by blockchain technology, without others profiting from their work, savings, or controlling their investment decisions. Although Web 3 is not yet fully decentralised, and much work needs to be done, I can see a future where banks and governments no longer control the management of wealth or how businesses operate. I am cautious of the current control that banks and governments have over fiat currency, driving up interest rates and inflation, printing money for war, and sometimes preventing people from accessing their own money.
My generation has a bleak outlook when it comes to buying a house or affording retirement, except for those who have financial help or find a highly profitable career early on. I believe that we need to break free from this traditional path and embrace a new future. Many people have already done so, and I believe that the future is coming faster than we think. I view education about crypto as a way of keeping up, so that we can take advantage of it, rather than getting swept up by it too late.
As a teen, I was intrigued by crypto investing, particularly with Bitcoin's incredible price action since 2011, showing cumulative gains of over 20,000,000%, outperforming all other financial assets. However, my interest in crypto goes beyond investing in its value to building my wealth. While I believe that we should all be learning how to invest in a diverse portfolio of assets, including digital ones, I also think that crypto can offer an alternative means of building wealth and a way to bridge the gender divide and other inequalities in investing.
More so than investing, the underlying blockchain technology is what I find most interesting. It provides complete ownership, security, and efficiency in transactions, without the need for intermediaries. There are a whole bunch of use cases for blockchain technology that go beyond simple transactions and investing in digital assets. As technology advances, I worry that there isn't enough diversity in the crypto and Web 3 community. Roles like marketers, researchers, writers, and HR and people leaders will be increasingly in demand in the new age of the internet.
Our goal with Dear Crypto is to provide an entry point, a course, and a community for anyone who is curious about crypto, investing, or wants to stay ahead of the Web 3 development wave. We also want to future-proof the Web 3 community by inviting a more diverse range of skills into it. We hope you will join us on this exciting journey!
Sincerely,
Samantha Smith
