John301

“$40K: The day Bitcoin stopped being an experiment and became inevitable”

On January 8, 2021, a key milestone in the history of Bitcoin was marked: for the first time, the price surpassed $40,000 USD, reaching $40,040, which represented a new all-time high (ATH) at that moment.
📈 Context of the moment:
• This rally was driven by increasing institutional adoption, with companies like MicroStrategy and Grayscale accumulating large amounts of BTC.
• It was also influenced by rising retail interest, fears of post-pandemic inflation, and the rise of narratives of Bitcoin as "digital gold".
• In less than a month, BTC had doubled its price from the $20,000 reached in December 2020.

(#bitcoin #CryptoHistory #ATH )

On November 17, 2020, Ray Dalio expressed doubts about Bitcoin, but in December he changed his stance, recognizing it as an asset similar to gold.
📉 November 17, 2020
With the price of Bitcoin at $17,197, Ray Dalio —founder of Bridgewater Associates and one of the most influential fund managers in the world— publicly declared that Bitcoin could be banned by governments if it became too successful. At that time, Dalio expressed skepticism about its utility as a currency, citing issues of volatility and lack of widespread acceptance.
🔄 Change of stance in December 2020
A few weeks later, Dalio began to reconsider his position. In interviews and publications, he admitted that “he might be missing something about Bitcoin” and that his initial assumptions could be incorrect. By December, Dalio was already describing it as a gold-like asset alternative, highlighting its potential as a store of value against the rising global debt and the money printing by central banks.

💬 Key quote from Dalio: “I prefer to have Bitcoin than a government bond” —Ray Dalio, in a later interview.

This shift marked the beginning of a more favorable narrative towards Bitcoin from one of Wall Street's titans, reflecting how even the most prominent skeptics were beginning to accept its role in the global financial system.

🗓️ November 12, 2020
💰 BTC Price: $16,009
🎙️ Stanley Druckenmiller joins the crypto chorus
In an era of economic uncertainty, Stanley Druckenmiller —legendary hedge fund manager— surprised the financial world: “I have become excited about Bitcoin. I own some.”

During an interview on CNBC, he revealed that he saw Bitcoin as a possible store of value with strong appeal to two emerging forces:
• Millennials, who are looking for alternatives to the traditional system
• The new money from the West Coast, with deep pockets and a disruptive mindset.
“As you know, they have accumulated a lot,” he said, referring to the capital amassed by tech giants.
🔍 This statement marked a turning point: one of the most respected investors in the world publicly validated Bitcoin as a serious asset. Not as speculation, but as a generational refuge.

Silk Road Case and the Confiscation of BTC by the U.S.
On November 6, 2020, the U.S. government confiscated 69,370 BTC (worth over $1 billion) linked to the Silk Road black market. The investigation was led by the IRS in collaboration with Chainalysis, a firm specialized in tracking crypto assets. James Zhong was identified as responsible for having taken the funds in 2012, which were found hidden in his home.
Key implications:
• The case demonstrated that Bitcoin is not completely anonymous.
• Set legal precedents regarding the recovery of stolen crypto assets.
• Reinforced the role of companies like Chainalysis in the fight against financial crime.
• Generated debates about state custody of cryptocurrencies and its impact on the

🌀 October 27, 2020 – Kanye West and the Cryptophilosophical Awakening
In an unexpected yet symbolically powerful moment, on October 27, 2020, while Bitcoin was trading at $13,355, Kanye West burst onto the crypto narrative with a statement that resonated beyond the price. During his appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, West did not talk about trading or investments, but about freedom, systems, and new frontiers.
🎙️ In his words: "Many technology experts, but specifically the experts [of Bitcoin], were able to use the new highways, the new highways of information, and create the next frontier of our existence while the powers of our political system still anchor in the electoral college, which was based on slavery."

This statement was not just a philosophical reflection: it was a statement of alignment. Kanye did not proclaim himself a bitcoiner, but he did recognize the disruptive potential of the ecosystem. At a moment when the world was still digesting the pandemic, the U.S. elections were approaching, and Bitcoin was emerging from its lethargy, the voice of a cultural icon like West served as a catalyst for a new wave of attention.
🔍 Key context:
• BTC had doubled its price since March 2020, but had not yet broken its all-time high.
• The narrative of Bitcoin as a "free information highway" was beginning to consolidate amid institutional distrust.
• Kanye, with his raw and visionary style, connected the crypto discourse with criticism of entrenched power structures.
📌 Cultural impact:
Although it was neither a technical adoption nor a public investment, his intervention helped legitimize the crypto discourse in mainstream cultural spaces. It was a moment when Bitcoin stopped being just "internet magic money" and began to be seen as a tool for narrative emancipation.

📅 October 21, 2020 – A day that marked a before and after in the mass adoption of cryptocurrencies.
💸 BTC Price: $12,362 – The crypto market was in a consolidation phase, with Bitcoin recovering ground after the fall in March of that year. But what happened that day sparked a flame that would change the global financial landscape.
🚀 PayPal enters the game – The digital payments giant officially announced its foray into the crypto world, launching a service that allowed its more than 300 million users to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies directly from its platform. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash were the first currencies available.
🔐 Why was it so relevant?
• Institutional legitimization: PayPal, a traditional and regulated company, embraced crypto, sending a clear signal to Wall Street and the financial world: this was no longer just for geeks or libertarians.
• Mass access: Millions of people who had never touched a wallet could now interact with crypto without leaving their payment app.
• Adoption narrative: This movement reinforced the idea that cryptocurrencies were moving from being a marginal alternative to becoming a legitimate option within the financial system.
📈 Immediate impact: The price of Bitcoin began a surge that would take it to surpass $20,000 for the first time in December of that same year, driven by the narrative of institutional adoption and renewed interest from retail investors.

📅 September 29, 2020
💰 BTC Price: $10,767
🎤 Stage: Oslo Freedom Forum
In the midst of a world shaken by censorship, surveillance, and misinformation, Jack Dorsey —CEO of Twitter at that time— takes the stage at the Oslo Freedom Forum and makes a statement that would resonate in every node of the Bitcoin network: "Blockchain and Bitcoin aim for a future and aim for a world where content exists forever, where it is permanent, where it does not disappear, where it exists forever in every node that is connected to it."

That day, Bitcoin was not just an asset of $10,767. It was a promise.
A promise of permanence in a world of erasure.
A promise of resistance in a system that forgets.
A promise of freedom in a network that remembers.

September 8, 2020 – Bitcoin as a refuge in Nigeria
Amid a struggling economy hit by persistent inflation, September 8, 2020 marked a silent but significant turning point in the history of digital money. With the price of Bitcoin hovering around $10,251, Reuters reported a growing phenomenon in Nigeria: ordinary citizens were turning to Bitcoin as a shield against the depreciation of the Naira, whose inflation had fluctuated between 8.5% and 16.6% over the last decade.
🇳🇬 Nigeria, epicenter of emerging adoption
Earlier that same year, the BBC revealed that $65 million in Bitcoin was traded in Nigeria each month, a figure that not only reflected the enthusiasm for cryptocurrencies but also an urgent need to preserve value in a volatile economic environment. For many Nigerians, Bitcoin was not a technological fad but a financial survival tool.
🔥 Bitcoin as a fulfilled purpose
Veteran advocates of the crypto asset saw in this movement a validation of their original thesis: Bitcoin was created to withstand inflation, escape state control, and offer financial sovereignty. What in other countries was speculation, in Nigeria became strategy.
This narrative encapsulates how, in a corner of the world, Bitcoin ceased to be an abstract promise to become a concrete solution.

Craig Wright, copyright and the claim to be Satoshi
📅 Key date: May 23, 2019
💰 BTC Price: $7,754
📰 Headline: Craig Wright registers the Bitcoin white paper with the U.S. Copyright Office.
🔍 What happened?
• Craig Wright submitted a request to register the white paper and the original source code of Bitcoin.
• The Financial Times reported it as an “approval” by the Copyright Office.
• Wright interpreted it as legal proof that he was Satoshi Nakamoto.
⚠️ But… what did the Office say?
• They issued a statement clarifying that registering a copyright does not validate authorship.
• Anyone can register a work for $55, and it is only rejected if fraud is evident.
• In other words: registration does not imply identity verification or historical authenticity.
🧾 Subsequent movement by Wright
• He published a modified version of the whitepaper on his website, adding his name as the author.
• This generated controversy and rejection in the crypto community, which considers the original document as part of Satoshi's open legacy.

Craig Wright did initiate legal actions for defamation against Vitalik Buterin in 2019, but later withdrew them. Buterin responded sarcastically in a podcast, reaffirming his stance.
In April 2019, Craig Wright, the self-proclaimed Satoshi Nakamoto, began a series of defamation lawsuits against prominent figures in the crypto ecosystem who questioned his identity. Among the defendants was Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, who had publicly called Wright a "fraudster" during conferences and interviews.
Buterin's response was direct and provocative. In Lex Fridman's podcast, he reaffirmed his stance with a phrase that went viral: "Hello, Craig Wright's legal team, can you hear me? Yes, I still think your client is a fraudster, so sue me."

This statement was part of a broader trend in the crypto community to reject Wright's claims as the creator of Bitcoin. Wright, for his part, filed at least five defamation lawsuits in the United Kingdom, leveraging laws that favor plaintiffs in reputation cases.
However, in April 2020, Wright withdrew the legal action against Buterin, possibly due to the complexity of the case and public pressure. The withdrawal was interpreted by many as a symbolic victory for Buterin and other critics.
🔍 Additional context:
• The price of Bitcoin on April 16, 2019, was approximately $5,117, marking a recovery phase after the 2018 bear market.
• Wright's lawsuits also involved figures like Peter McCormack and Roger Ver, who also publicly called him a "fraud."

On December 7, 2018, the price of Bitcoin was around $3,429 USD, and during that month it fell to a minimum close to $3,232 USD.
Here is a more detailed summary of the context of that moment:
📉 Bitcoin in December 2018
• Beginning of December: BTC was trading around $4,000 USD, but began a rapid decline.
• December 7, 2018: The price was approximately $3,429 USD, reflecting a strong correction from previous levels.
• Minimum of the month: The lowest point was recorded on December 15, 2018, when BTC hit $3,232.51 USD, marking the annual low.
• End of year: It closed 2018 with a price of $3,747.39 USD, well below the beginning of the year, which was $13,444.88 USD.
🧠 Market Context
• This crash was part of the so-called "crypto winter," a phase of severe correction following the boom of 2017.
• Factors such as regulation in countries like South Korea and the loss of speculative interest contributed to the decline.

“Rat poison for rats… or antidote for the system?”

On May 5, 2018, it was iconic in the history of cryptocurrencies: while Bitcoin hovered around $9,752, Warren Buffett —the “Oracle of Omaha”— launched one of his most forceful critiques, labeling Bitcoin as “probably rat poison squared.”
📉 Market context at that time:
• Bitcoin had just reached its all-time high of nearly $20,000 in December 2017, followed by a sharp correction.
• The crypto ecosystem was in full swing, with ICOs proliferating and debates about regulation on the rise.
🧠 Buffett and his stance:
• Buffett has been consistently skeptical about cryptocurrencies, arguing that they do not generate intrinsic value.
• His phrase “rat poison squared” went viral, used by both critics and defenders of crypto to illustrate the generational and philosophical clash between traditional and decentralized finance.

February 5, 2018 marked a key moment in the history of the crypto ecosystem: the Chinese government intensified its offensive against cryptocurrencies by announcing its intention to block access to foreign cryptocurrency exchange platforms, in addition to having previously closed national exchanges.
🔍 Context of the moment:
• BTC Price: $7,527, in full correction after having reached its historical maximum close to $20,000 in December 2017.
• Measure of the Chinese government: Internet and telecommunications providers were ordered to restrict access to foreign trading platforms and services related to ICOs (initial coin offerings).
• Declared objective: “Prevent financial risks,” according to Chinese regulators.
🌐 Immediate impact:
• Increased downward pressure on the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
• The narrative of “government bans” intensified as an existential threat to the crypto ecosystem.
• Many Chinese users began using VPNs and decentralized platforms to bypass the restrictions.

María Corina Machado wins the Nobel Peace Prize 2025 and dedicates it to Venezuela.
The Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2025 for her peaceful struggle for democracy in Venezuela. In her reaction, she expressed humility and emotion, stating that the award is a collective achievement of Venezuelan society.
🔹 Personal reaction
• She was surprised after the announcement, saying: “I am in shock, I can't believe it.”
• On social media, she highlighted the 26 years of suffering under a tyranny and dedicated the award to the citizens who have peacefully resisted.
🔹 Political context
• She has been sheltered in the U.S. Embassy in Caracas for 10 months due to persecution by Maduro's regime.
• She received international congratulations, including from Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
🔹 Historical significance
• She is the first Venezuelan to receive this award.
• Her recognition represents a political milestone and a call for unity, peace, and democratic hope.
#venezuela #latam #MariaCorina #BinanceSquare #Write2Earn

Colombia has dropped to 36th place in global crypto adoption, while Binance drives solutions for everyday payments with cryptocurrencies in more than 500 businesses in the country.

📉 Colombia falls back in crypto adoption
• According to the global ranking by Chainalysis, Colombia fell from 15th place to 36th in cryptocurrency adoption in just two and a half years.
• The main obstacle: regulatory hurdles and lack of legal clarity, which hinder innovation and investment.
• Despite this, Colombia remains the fifth country with the most crypto transactions in Latin America, moving more than US$44.200 billion between 2022 and 2025.
🛒 Binance progresses with everyday payments
• Binance is deploying solutions for Colombians to pay with cryptocurrencies in local businesses, from small stores to multinationals.
• There are already more than 500 establishments that accept payments with Binance Pay in Colombia, including technology centers, video game stores, and retail businesses.
• Daniel Acosta, manager of Binance for Colombia, emphasizes that technological adoption is advancing faster than regulation, creating a paradox: innovation without legal backing.

Davos 2018: When banking skepticism clashed with the crypto boom"
Narrative:
January 23, 2018.
Bitcoin is trading at $10,823, wobbling after its all-time high in December. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, amid dark suits and speeches on financial stability, Axel Weber, president of UBS, issues a warning: “Cryptocurrencies are not an investment we would recommend.”

The phrase resonates like an echo of the old order. While Weber speaks, outside the venue, thousands of young investors see in BTC a revolution. The contrast is brutal:
• Inside: institutional caution, fear of chaos.
• Outside: euphoria, memes, and promises of financial freedom.

December 18, 2017 marked a milestone in the history of Bitcoin. That day, BTC surpassed $19,000 and reached an all-time high of approximately $19,834, according to data from CoinMarketCap and other sources from the crypto ecosystem. This moment was the climax of the first major wave of mass adoption, driven by:
• 📈 Widespread FOMO: Retail investors entered in droves, attracted by exponential gains.
• 📰 Intense media coverage: Bitcoin appeared on the covers of traditional media, generating even more interest.
• 🏦 Initial institutional moves: Although timid, products like BTC futures began to emerge on CME and CBOE.
• 💬 Viral narratives: From "the new digital gold" to "the financial revolution", crypto storytelling was at its peak.

On November 29, 2017, with Bitcoin hovering around $9,849, John McAfee —a controversial and provocative figure in the tech world— tweeted that BTC would reach $1 million by the end of 2020. To reinforce his conviction, he added a grotesque bet: that he would "eat his own d***" if he was wrong.
Why was it so shocking?
• 📈 Market context: Bitcoin was in the midst of a bullish euphoria, approaching $10,000 for the first time. Many believed that a million was possible.
• 🧠 McAfee as a figure: His reputation as a pioneer in cybersecurity and his eccentric style lent weight (and intrigue) to his statements.
• 🤯 The extreme bet: It was not just a prediction; it was a statement that crossed the boundaries of decorum, making it go viral.
What happened next?
• BTC closed 2020 around $29,000, far from a million.
• McAfee later tried to soften his prediction, saying it was a metaphor or that he had been misinterpreted.
• The phrase became an eternal meme within the crypto ecosystem, used to mock exaggerated predictions.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) was born on August 1, 2017, as a hard fork of Bitcoin amid intense debate on how to scale the network. At that time, the price of BTC hovered around $2,797.
Here is a detailed summary of the context and implications of that event:
🧱 Why was Bitcoin Cash created?
• Scalability issue: Bitcoin had a block size limit of 1 MB, allowing only about 7 transactions per second. As the network grew, this caused congestion and high fees.
• Two opposing visions:
• “Big blockers”: Wanted to increase the block size to allow more transactions and reduce fees. They argued that Bitcoin should be digital money for everyday use.
• “Small blockers”: Preferred to keep small blocks to preserve decentralization. They advocated for off-chain solutions like Lightning Network and SegWit.
🔥 The moment of the fork
• Key date: August 1, 2017.
• Block 478558: From this block, a new chain was created: Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
• Technical changes:
• BCH increased the block size to 8 MB (later to 32 MB).
• Rejected SegWit and focused on scaling directly on-chain.
💸 Price of BTC at that time
• BTC in August 2017: Approximately $2,797, amid a bull market and high speculative activity.
• Impact on users: Those who had BTC at that time received the same amount in BCH, generating interest and controversy.

on May 20, 2017, Bitcoin surpassed the $2,000 USD barrier for the first time. This milestone marked the beginning of a new stage of adoption and speculation, just before the explosive rally that would take it close to $20,000 by the end of that same year.

📈 May 20, 2017: the day Bitcoin broke the $2,000 USD barrier.
That Saturday, the crypto world crossed a psychological threshold that transformed curiosity into fever. What was once the domain of geeks and libertarians began to seduce investors, media, and speculators alike. It was the starting gun for a frantic race that, in just seven months, would bring Bitcoin to nearly $20,000.
This milestone not only marked a figure:
• 🔥 Ignited the first major global adoption rally.
• 🧠 Triggered debates about bubbles, financial freedom, and the future of money.
• 🎢 Inaugurated an era of volatility that would define the DNA of the crypto space.
From that moment on, each new ATH (All-Time High) would be more than just a number: it would be a narrative in itself.