A recent analysis by a prominent crypto trader, known as Techdev, has sparked discussions within the cryptocurrency community regarding the long-term investment strategies of early Bitcoin adopters. According to Techdev, the likelihood that early Bitcoin investors maintained their holdings for over a decade through the cryptocurrency’s extreme price fluctuations is exceedingly low. This assertion raises questions about the conviction required to hold such a volatile asset, especially when considering its historical price corrections.
Techdev’s insights were shared in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), which quickly garnered significant attention, with nearly 3.5 million views. In the post, they challenged the common belief that investing a minimal amount in Bitcoin during its early days could have resulted in substantial wealth today. Techdev stated,
“‘If I put $100 into Bitcoin in 2010, I’d have $2.8 billion now.’ No.”
They elaborated on Bitcoin’s tumultuous journey over the past 15 years, highlighting the drastic price movements that only those with immense conviction could endure. For instance, Bitcoin has experienced swings from $1.7 million down to $170,000, then surged to $110 million, only to crash again to $18 million.
This perspective aligns with the broader sentiment in the crypto community, which has recently been invigorated following Bitcoin’s all-time high of $123,100 on July 14, 2025. Over the past 13 years, Bitcoin has demonstrated a compound annual growth rate of 102.79%, according to data from Curvo. Despite these impressive figures, many crypto executives agree with Techdev’s assertion that few investors possess the discipline necessary to maintain their investments over the long haul.
Those who do manage to hold onto their investments through volatile periods are often referred to as having “diamond hands,” a term used in the crypto lexicon to describe investors with a high risk tolerance. Crypto entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano echoed this sentiment, remarking on X,
“Everyone thinks they would have held Bitcoin from pennies to billions of dollars. Easier said than done.”
Many commenters on Techdev’s post recounted their own experiences, reflecting on how they may have spent what could have been thousands or even millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin on various purchases or lost access to their old wallets. Erick Pinos, head of ecosystem at Nibiru Chain, noted that an investor must “make a choice every day, every hour, not to sell, for years.” This highlights the psychological challenges faced by investors in the crypto market.
Interestingly, some users argued that many of today’s Bitcoin billionaires are those who purchased early and subsequently forgot about their holdings, only returning to their wallets as Bitcoin gained mainstream acceptance.
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