1- introduction

Bitcoin: the light at the end of the tunnel.

Welcome!
Before we get started, please allow me to say a few words.
If you stumbled upon this guide, or if you clicked your way to my blog, I am assuming that’s because you are interested in learning about Bitcoin.
If that’s the case, I salute you.
Let me tell you something: this might just be the best decision you ever made!
Bitcoin can—and will—change your life for the better.
How do I know? Well, I know it from first-hand experience.
After learning, studying, and adopting Bitcoin myself, my outlook on life shifted dramatically: from “doomer” to “bloomer”.
I was convinced my future would be a rather dark, bleak, and unhappy time. I used to be extremely stressed about my finances.
You know very well what I’m talking about, especially if you are, like myself, a working-class person in your early 30s.

Let’s face it: in this day and age, no matter where you live, life is getting tougher and tougher: wages are stagnant, prices are uncontrollably and continuously on the rise, and your next few years are looking kind of grim.
Buying a house is something that our parents’ generation took for granted.
Now, that’s unattainable for the vast majority of the population.
Buying a car is a dream for the average person.
Starting a family? That’s out of the picture altogether. We are so financially unstable that we reject even that idea, and that’s a huge problem.
Retirement? Even in western countries, people have no choice but to work until their late 60s.
Times are tough, and their savings are either non-existent, or not enough to leave the workforce, and live their twilight years in well-deserved peace.
All around the world, people are trapped in the debt spiral, which, in most cases, is a literal death sentence.
Homelessness is on the rise: the housing crisis is so strong that many of us are only one unexpected medical bill away from losing their homes.
Buying good quality food is considered a luxury for most families, who are struggling to make ends meet, and are forced to feed their children junk-food everyday, thus compromising their wellbeing.

We all know this is happening. What most people don’t know is why.
Why is everything so bloody expensive?
Why can’t I afford basic necessities without making sacrifices? Why can’t I even go on vacation without resorting to credit card debt? And why, especially in third-world countries, are people so poor they aren’t able to feed themselves?

There is one culprit, and one culprit only: money.
Yes, our financial system is single-handedly responsible for most of our problems: rotten, corrupted, and unjust; designed to get the rich richer and the poor poorer.
Do you think I am exaggerating? Oh, no, I’m not.
See for yourself—read this guide, stick around, and you will be amazed to learn some mind-blowing facts about money, stuff that will make you appreciate what I just said.

Everything changed, after I adopted Bitcoin: my future and money-related uncertainties, anxieties, and worries turned into optimism and “joie de vivre”.
I now have the certainty, even in my early 30s, that my retirement is secured and guaranteed. I know that I can confidently face an unexpected and expensive medical bill. I know I may be able, a few years down the line, to purchase a small apartment for myself, without having to commit to a life-long crippling debt.
This has, in turn, allowed me to shift my perspective and change the way I approach life.
And that’s a big deal—I can now focus on the present, without having to constantly worry about my financial future.

The path

And so that’s why you are here, I guess: you heard about Bitcoin from a friend of yours, or somewhere on the internet.
You are curious and equally intimidated, and you don’t know where to start; but don’t you worry! That’s where I come in.
You are now in good hands: I wrote this guide specifically for you. I want you to have an all-in-one, free to use, digital resource you can rely on to get started on your Bitcoin journey.

”Journey”? Yes, my friend. Make no mistake: understanding Bitcoin is not a walk in the park: you should prepare yourself, and get ready to put in the work.
The majority of the population still has no idea about what Bitcoin is, and how it works. Even those who try to get their heads around it will fail, for the most part.
The reason is simple, yet brutal: understanding Bitcoin comes with a “sacrifice”: letting go of your pre-existing notions, only to embrace something entirely new.
And the truth is: not many people are willing to do that. To get out of our comfort zone truly is difficult, especially when hard work, an open mind, and a real effort are involved.

Just like at the Dojo, where we learn and study martial arts, a certain degree of humility, discipline, and passion are required of every student.
You simply can’t become a black belt in one day, one month, or even one year.
Bitcoin is the same way: before you start, please accept that you are about to walk a strenuous path.
Your ego will be tested but, if you persevere, you will be handsomely rewarded for your efforts.
After all, you are about to change your life for the better; do you think that will be easy? Instead, embrace the hardships, and you’ll come out as the best version of yourself.
And let me be very clear: you will not learn, nor will you “get” Bitcoin simply by reading this guide.
This free course is an amazing tool for you to get a grip on the fundamentals, and to lay a solid foundation where you can build your knowledge. But that will take time, rest assured.
It took me several months, where I endured self-doubt, criticism, negativity, and brain-melting thinking sessions.
Even now, despite calling myself a “Bitcoin educator”, there are still many mysteries I ‘ve yet to solve. It’s a never-ending journey. If anything, the more I progress, the more I realise how little I know.
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing”, said Socrates.

Prepare yourself for a life-changing journey

But please, let none of this stop you. You may now feel overwhelmed or intimidated, but fear not.
You got me, and you got my guide; start from here, and everything else will naturally click into place.

I will be explaining everything without going too deep in the technicalities, and I will, where possible, try to avoid using excessive jargon. You are trying to become a Bitcoiner, not a developer.
Please, keep in mind I am not (yet) a world-class expert and, as such, there may be a few inaccuracies here and there.
I tried to present you with the best and most polished product I could come up with, entirely written by myself. I used AI apps to fact-check some of the information contained within the guide, and to create images for my chapters. However, all of the actual writing was done by myself; and you can probably tell!
I am not a seasoned nor a professional writer with years of experience, and English is not my native language.
I am just a guy who’s incredibly passionate about Bitcoin and who’s trying to build a career around it, by educating people through my blog.

The importance of Money

Ok, with this boring disclaimer out of the way, we should almost be ready to get started.
However, we can’t just introduce Bitcoin out of nowhere: we must first set the stage and go through a much-needed premise.
The question we will answer is “Why Bitcoin?” What makes it so special, and why have I just said it will change your life?
I’ll start with a bold claim, the first of many to come.
Bitcoin is the very best form of money ever created, period. I am confident that, after reading these 14 chapters, you will find my statement to be not-so-outlandish.
No rush, we have time.

Let’s backtrack a little to when I blamed our money for essentially ruining our lives.
This is a key concept in order to fully appreciate Bitcoin, which represents the perfect alternative, and way out, to the unjust system we live under.

Let me ask you a question.
What is the most important, the biggest incentive for human behaviour? What is the greatest mover for our actions; what’s that thing which makes the world go round?
If you are a hopeless romantic, you may think it’s love. But alas, I regret to inform you that we are indeed talking about money.

Before you call me a “capitalist monster”, or something like that, please think about it.
Money is what your existence revolves around: most of your actions are related to either making or spending it.
You spend a considerable amount of your life at work. Why do you do that? For money, obviously. Anytime you wish to purchase a good, you must exchange it for money. It is everywhere: in fact, it is the very foundation of our society.
Money unlocks possibilities: it gives us access to services, and it is so important that one’s life is built and organized around how much, or how little of it they possess. Its relevance cannot be overstated: it’s what humans live—and die—for.

And no, before you ask, I do not think that money “buys you happiness”.
Contentment, joy, fulfilment, love, and integrity: these are all attainable even without being rich.
But what does money buy you? Ask any wealthy person, and the answer is always the same: “freedom”.
It’s all about freedom: the essence of the human condition.
Freedom to work less, to quit your horrible job, to move to another country. Freedom to spend more time with your family, to pick up new activities, and to plan for a serene future. And ultimately, what does freedom buy you?

Yep; it buys you time: the most valuable asset at our disposal!

Just like the Atlas in Greek mythology, Money is what holds up the world

Set yourself free

Ok so, what is the problem here? Well, it’s a pretty big one!
Given the sheer importance money plays in our lives, what happens when it’s utterly broken and corrupted?
It’s just like building a skyscraper on foundations made out of plywood: it’s bound to collapse pretty quickly.
If our money belongs to a rotten and decaying system, it goes without saying that we must find an alternative, if we want to reclaim our rights to live a decent life.
”Fix the money, fix the world”. Bitcoiners love this expression, and for good reason!
Once you truly understand that money equals freedom, and your eyes are open to the evils of our system— that’s when you are ready to embrace Bitcoin.
No, it’s not just another “asset” or an “investment”: Bitcoin is a tool for freedom, financial sovereignty, and independence.
The good news is that you are about to learn all about it.
Are you ready to join one of the greatest revolutions in human history? Are you ready to embark on your Bitcoin journey?

Let’s go!