1️⃣number one
Crypto what? – Cryptocurrency is a relatively new digital currency that’s an alternative to the US dollar and other traditional currencies. Bitcoin was created in 2009 and is the largest and oldest cryptocurrency.
2️⃣number two
Mystery man – Bitcoin was the brainchild of Satoshi Nakamoto, a pseudonym used by the author of a white paper written in 2008. Several people have claimed to be Nakamoto, but his or her true identity remains a mystery.
3️⃣number three
Fasten your seatbelts – Bitcoin had more dramatic price drops in 2024 than stocks had in 2008—the most volatile year for stocks on record due to the Global Financial Crisis (FIGURE 1).
4️⃣number four
Put on your thinking cap – Bitcoin is created when programmers solve complex computations that are added to the blockchain—the public ledger that records all Bitcoin transactions. This process, known as mining, requires a lot of time and significant computing power.
5️⃣number five
Finite supply creates scarcity – The maximum number of Bitcoins that will be created through mining is 21 million. As of December 31, 2024, there were about 1.1 million Bitcoins left to be mined.1 This finite supply is one reason why some people believe Bitcoin will increase in value over time.
6️⃣number six
What's in your digital wallet? – Bitcoins are purely digital and stored electronically in programs called wallets that are secured by passwords. Once you transfer Bitcoin to someone else, there’s no way to retrieve it or dispute the transaction.
7️⃣number seven
Save some gains for Uncle Sam – The IRS treats Bitcoin as property rather than currency. If you receive Bitcoin as compensation, it’s considered taxable income. You also need to calculate your gain or loss every time you spend Bitcoin. Short-term gains (<1 year) are taxed as ordinary income, and long-term gains (1 year or more) are taxed as capital gains. Tax losses are treated the same as stocks.
8️⃣number eight
Don't lose your password! – Around 20% of Bitcoin, valued at approximately $140 billion, is lost forever because people forgot their passwords.2 Download our free “Get It Together” worksheet available on hartfordfunds.com to organize all your financial records, including cryptocurrency passwords.
9️⃣number nine
Value is in the eye of the beholder – Unlike stocks and bonds, Bitcoin doesn’t have any intrinsic value based on corporate earnings or cash flows. Therefore, when risk assets3 such as stocks come under stress, Bitcoin’s price may fluctuate wildly. But as with traditional currency, Bitcoin has value as long as people accept it as currency. Platforms such as PayPal and Square accept payments in Bitcoin, but a conversion to a fiat currency is required before the payments settle.
🔟number ten
Digital gold? – Some institutions and wealthy investors are using Bitcoin as an alternative asset class similar to gold (some call it digital gold), though it remains to be seen if this trend will continue in light of large-scale crypto scandals and the lack of regulation. Bitcoin (BTC), the world’s largest and most influential cryptocurrency, has once again captured the spotlight. After months of market consolidation, BTC is roaring back, breaking key resistance levels and signaling what could be the start of a massive bull run. Bitcoin has smashed through psychological barriers, triggering a wave of renewed investor confidence. As institutional interest heats up and retail traders re-enter the market, BTC is proving why it’s the undisputed champion of crypto. With its latest breakout above [insert recent breakout level, e.g., $122K], Bitcoin is setting the tone for the entire market.
1. Institutional Adoption: Major financial firms are increasing BTC holdings, including ETFs and spot market activity.
2. Scarcity Narrative: With only 21 million coins and over 19.7 million already mined, scarcity is real—and demand is growing.
3. Halving Effect: The 2024 Bitcoin halving is fueling speculation and driving supply-side pressure.
4. Global Economic Uncertainty: BTC is being viewed more and more as digital gold and a hedge against inflation.
💡 What’s Next for BTC?
Experts are eyeing $150K–$180K targets if current momentum holds. With altcoins preparing to follow, this could mark the early stages of a historic crypto cycle. Whether you're a trader, investor, or hodler, BTC is the anchor—and it’s pulling the entire ship forward.
💯Final Thoughts👍
Bitcoin isn’t just a coin—it’s a movement. It represents decentralization, financial freedom, and the future of money. As BTC continues to gain traction globally, the question isn’t whether it will hit new all-time highs—the question is: Are you ready?
