Between 2018 and 2020, I was unable to have meaningful conversations about Bitcoin with virtually everyone I knew. However starting in 2021, I have had quite a few of these discussions. In fact, several people in my social circles have bought Bitcoin for the first time this year. It definitely feels like there has been a growing appetite in many communities to learn more about cryptocurrencies and NFTs in general.

Because of the questions that I have been frequently asked over the past few months, I have decided to share a few of the discussions in the media that helped to shape my personal views of Bitcoin. Here are the top 3 that I recommend for anyone who is contemplating a Bitcoin purchase for the first time:

1) The Economics of Cryptocurrencies

One of the top authorities on Bitcoin in my mind is Tom Lee from Fundstrat Global. What makes his research so appealing to me is that he has a proven track record in finance from his days on Wall Street, and the fact he can present his ideas in very simple and relatable ways. His presentation from the Upfront Summit in 2018 took place just two months after Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $19,783.21US on December 18, 2017 (near the beginning of a long crypto bear market). It is roughly 23 minutes in length, but it contains essential information for anyone who is debating if they should buy Bitcoin for the first time. Admittedly it's not an interview, but it's still one of the best resources that I would recommend.

The Economics of Cryptocurrencies by Tom Lee from Upfront Summit 2018

Related reading: 5 Reasons Why Goldman Sachs Doesn't Understand Bitcoin

2) How to Value the Bitcoin Network

This is another great interview that Tom Lee gave. Although it took place a few months before he presented at the Upfront Summit, I didn't find this resource until March 2018. His explanation of how he assigns value to Bitcoin using Metcalfe's Law is elegant and powerful. This interview is roughly 9 minutes long and is a great supplement to the presentation that I referenced above.

How to Value the Bitcoin Network from Business Insider - "The Bit" 2017

3) Tech Bytes, Business News Network featuring Robert Herjavec

This last interview is interesting because Robert Herjavec's position in 2017 was that he respected Bitcoin's value, despite the fact he didn't like what Bitcoin represented. It's important to remember that he is a cybersecurity expert, and Bitcoin is frequently demanded by cybercriminals when they take control over an organization's computer networks. Nevertheless, at the 2:04 mark of this 6-minute video clip, his quote has remained on my mind to this day.

Robert Herjavec talks about Bitcoin on the Business News Network (2017)

There's a great movie called The Tulip Wars, and these guys are selling tulip bulbs, and the kid says "Why is it worth, this....", and the guy says to him, "Well because someone is willing to pay for it,"

So why is cryptocurrency worth what it is? It's because someone's willing to pay for it - Robert Herjavec on BNN Bloomberg in 2017

Related reading: Edward Snowden's advice for strong passwords

I can name several large corporations who have bought Bitcoin (such as Square, Tesla and MicroStrategy) when they felt it was undervalued. This points to the increasing level of adoption by Wall Street that was predicted by Tom Lee back in 2018.

Final thoughts

I never use a "hard sell" when speaking to individuals about cryptocurrencies. It's my belief that they need to make up their own minds about deciding to invest in crypto.

Here are some parting thoughts to help new investors mitigate risk:

1. You can buy fractions of a Bitcoin, so don't feel the pressure to invest thousands of dollars when you start

2. Always do your own research

3. Never invest more than you can afford to lose

And remember that you are still an early adopter if you start investing in Bitcoin today.

Thanks for reading, and stay safe! If you would like to support my work, please hit like 👍 and follow me on Publish0x! 😊

You can also follow me on Twitter: @CryptoWordsmith

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