Bitcoin Forum

It is possible to do great things from a small place - Tunde Onakoya

My three (3) best friends and I have started the first bitcoin book club in our city Abuja, Nigeria, for bitcoin lovers who share a sincere passion for discussing and reading books about bitcoin.  We have always wanted to do this for a long. I am super excited that it is finally happening. The book club is called -  Bitcoin Tribe Book Club.


On 5th February 2022, the Central Bank of Nigeria ordered banks in Nigeria to close the accounts of persons or business entities transacting in or operating cryptocurrency exchanges. Read it here -  THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA BAN ON CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGES (https://www.cbn.gov.ng/Out/2021/CCD/Volume%203%20Number%202%20CBN%20Update%20February%202021.pdf)

Despite this crackdown on bitcoin, we love bitcoin. We believe in its potential to help our collapsing economy and in its ability to secure a better future for our unborn generations. Therefore, we thought it would be a great idea to create a conversation that revolves around bitcoin. We hope that Bitcoin Tribe Book Club will grow to be the preferred platform to read, discuss, brainstorm, and find solutions to some of the toughest challenges in our nation using bitcoin and cryptocurrency technologies. Our first meeting is on 1st June, 2022.

Here is our Instagram account  @bitcointribebookclub (https://www.instagram.com/bitcointribebookclub/) which I just created. I would very much appreciate your thoughts, comments, and ideas. Thank you.

You have did good thing by presenting a book on Bitcoin, but keep updating it. In most countries Banks had siezed accounts pertaining to Crypto transactions and later they allowed and again banning happens. I would suggest you to concentrate on your book than these Government rules even here we see our govt plays most time for crypto investors.

You will see some results when the times just like a blog that turns into money making machine.

Congratulations to you and your friends, i hope you will find like minded Nigerians who have the same passion as you guys to support your idea and dream. Perhaps you can seize this opportunity to educate the ignorant ones over there about btc and help change their misconception about btc especially from the negative things they must have read online about btc.
Although am wondering as a book club it means you will also be needing hard materials about btc to fill your book club and am wondering if there are enough such hard copies about btc out there, i know most of the materials regarding btc are online. Nonetheless, best of luck.

Hey congratulations! It is not only about sharing and reading Bitcoin but also spreading awareness of what Bitcoin is and I hope some people might get curious and get educated on what really Bitcoin is since most of them know Bitcoin as an investment scam.

The Nigerian government recently updated their view of digital assets and services, lifting the ban and imposing regulations which in my opinion would limit growth of such services.

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Back to the book club; it is a nice initiative and can reach out to the Nigerian audience. Reading the title and first few lines, I actually thought it was a physical book store, but it appears to be online. Good initiative either way.

My advice; do not over shoot the significant of Bitcoin, it can hardly affect the economy or improve standard of living, if can however make citizens to want to be more financially aware and independent instead of relying on an economy which is plagued by inflation.

It's a good journey and having wished to do something like this in the past and later created it in your city is a success in the first place. Because your team of friends have made good decisions over this project for a long period of time. Your project will stand if only you are ready to stand by it at all cost. Remember it took some projects like Binance 30years to succeed (he replied me on Twitter) and some 2 years. CZ added that they invested everything they got and borrowed just to make it happen. Therefore, what matters is not how long it took them but, the success came at last. Good luck.

to emphasise this:
the main issue africans have had was the fee's

solutions include setting a tribal/village leader someone trusted as an exchanger where he takes on the pain of exchanging rather then using bank/institutional/international exchanges

much like how they have them m-pesa kiosks/agents in each village that convert fiat to phone credit(m-pesa)

this is a very good journey and should be followed by other countries, because you have spread kindness that is beneficial to others, maybe I can not repay your kindness, but I will always pray for your health, give a chance to many people, for sure will remembered forever, although bitcoin is very popular but there are still people who do not believe in bitcoin, there are even some people who think bitcoin is an investment scam.

Nice going, am on mobile now so cannot remember the prwcise titles of books I really liked (as interesting and educational vs engrossing dramascapes factfiction).

Can't be too many books yet affordable to read but you know why we love those torrenters. Maybe eventually with diligent note taking you might even publish a compilation for posterity -- in local language!

Mpesa idea from franky was what came across my mind too. Still think it brilliant all these years after first encountering it.

My interest here is on the lifting of the ban! Is that really accurate? Because from my understanding of that piece that was released within the week, it only imposed regulations and that was from the SEC. Either the ban has been lifted or not remains a puzzle as, local banks have not gotten the required go, from the CBN to fully transact or allow accounts to transact in cryptos. The SEC might permit this only within the registration and regulational rights for which, they will act as an umbrella in investigational cases and aside from that, your just by yourself.

Meanwhile, I think you guys @OP have done great to have come up with the idea of having a cryptocurrency bookclub. It's a nice one and as pioneers of this innovation, I hope that you guys do the needed research of what makes a bookclub a bookclub and hope to make it stand. Also, ensure not to discuss your private portfolio as per hodlings to keep off unnecessary attention for privacy and security reasons.

Yes, it is a good endeavour to educate people about bitcoin, and your concept will assist them in comprehending the importance and strength of bitcoin, as well as its usage and objectives. It also encourages them to be daring and learn more about bitcoin because they will have enough information to guide them through your worthwhile project while also providing them with more financial freedom.

I have read and showed the comments here to my friends. We thank you all.
If we have a hard time getting the hard copies of the books in our city, we'd download the softcopies.


Aside from creating conversations around bitcoin, we also plan to create awareness of what bitcoin by requesting to speak at schools, religious places of worship, and in offices. In addition, we plan to organize seminars and symposiums in the city. Also, our Instagram page will create engagement with Nigerians online.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria only  gave a set of new regulations guiding the issuance, exchange and custody of digital assets in Nigeria (https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2022/05/16/nigerias-sec-affirms-all-digital-assets-are-securities-in-new-rulebook/)  but the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) initially ordered banks to stop cryptocurrency transactions are yet to give a directive for them to resume. Our fingers are crossed.


Hopefully with time, we may grow big enough to compile our notes in the major languages, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

Right, although I do believe it has the potential for both. However, far too much emphasis is put on the amount of Bitcoin can go up, and too little is focused on the true value of Bitcoin, allowing you to ditch third parties, take control of your own money, as well as looking after your own privacy. That to me is invaluable. Obviously, there are other benefits to it, but for me those are some of the key components that need to be taught, not the fact that Bitcoin can make you some money.

I'd like the emphasis to be shifted towards educating people on investing to better your freedom, rather than to lie your pockets. Unfortunately, the latter is usually the center of the topic.

This is an outstanding innovative idea. But the problem with Africa is that because of corrupt and incompetent leadership the rate of poverty is high. There are limited job opportunities which has made the youthful population of Africa unemployed.  Therefore most citizens are looking for diverse get rich quick schemes and many don't having value for learning. The only thing that can attract most youths to your club is the financial benefit they would gain from your events. Even religious organizations in Africa have to entice people with financial and other benefits for them to attend their programs. Hence, you must ensure you combine lessons on the true value of Bitcoin and the financial benefits of Bitcoin. However, I believe you can still attract persons that are interested to learn about the freedom Bitcoin offers. Best wishes.

This is how you make the first step towards promoting the real Bitcoin to your people and unlike mainstream media, they get real information with no sugar coating and also some legit prevention from scammers. This is really good hoping you guys will grow in the next years to come. though you are small in numbers now, the more people know about bitcoin each day, the more you grow in numbers. This is a nice way to raise awareness against scammers and fraud, you guys need to really work on this one to save your people from heartless scammers.

Bitcoin Book Club is a great idea, this should be widely adopted instead of building fundraising organizations or investment classes. We should educate others about Bitcoin concept to help them understand what bitcoin is and how important it is to us instead of just worrying about making profit without knowing the functions and the utility that bitcoin and cryptocurrencies bring.

Once again I wish your Bitcoin Book Club to grow stronger and create more value for the Nigerian people and wish the Nigerian bitcoin community to grow more and more.

Excellent initiative.

I couldn't find any list of books that you're planning to read, or have already read, so I'll give you one:

The White Paper – by Satoshi Nakamoto (Author), Jaya Klara Brekke (Editor), James Bridle (Introduction) (https://ignota.org/products/the-white-paper)

https://i.imgur.com/IRdmyp2.jpg

I noticed that you're going to start on June 1st, and this book was published exactly on that day, 3 years ago: June 1, 2019

This is fabulous. Thank you for the book recommendation. We initially planned to read Mastering Bitcoin: Programming the Open Blockchain by Andreas Antonopoulos. However, I just read the introduction of the book The White Paper. I loved it. I will run it past my friends. I'm sure they will be thrilled coupled with the fact that the book publication date coincides with our first meeting date. Thank you so much once again. I am genuinely grateful.

Op, I think it's a great initiative. I wonder, though, how many people who are into cryptos are also into reading books about Bitcoin. Perhaps you could follow up from time to time in the thread to share how the book club's going, whether anyone joined the 3 of you, and how the talks are going. I'd probably make something wider, adding discussions of articles, as well as of crypto-related movies and TV shows, to lighten up the whole thing and broaden the scope. But a book club is a thing of its own, of course, and it can focus specifically on books. In any case, good luck!

Wow, that's a great start from you guys. I am happy to see that there are people who are starting crypto clubs despite bitcoin being bearish these days.
May be you won't get good traction since bitcoin is going down but don't lose the hope and keep up the good work.
I am very sure that once bitcoin starts going bullish the number of people approaching you will increase a lot.
The number of members in your crypto club will see a good spike. Keep hustling.

Congratulations OP on starting something new, if i may add some suggestions to be considered, i'd say before your very first meeting, please engage as much as you can in massive publicity so others who are like-minded can have an opportunity to start with you.

Secondly, to keep things fun and ensure that people who join up develop a sense of belonging, you can get branded promotional items like t-shirts, notepads, facecaps etc for members, you can occasionally organise fun activities like picnics where they can come along with friends and family.
Keep things fun as you discuss and learn more about bitcoin, so other close observer's will develop an interest and want to get involved.

Thank you all for your lovely wishes. My friends and I are super grateful.



As time goes on, I will definitely return to this give an update on our activities, the  progress made and new membership. Membership is based on referral from other members because we want to be careful to admit people who are truly optimistic about the future of bitcoin.

Looks like a terrific idea! Have you ever thought about making it into a podcast of some sort? Like you and your friends sitting together (or remotely) and discussing books on Bitcoin, and all that will be revolving around policies in Nigeria?
And I like that you have huge plans to expand and to bring bitcoin knowledge across the city (and maybe potentially the country?).
Also, love the name - Bitcoin Tribe Book Club. Sounds pretty cool IMHO.

Congratulations then mate , you did a good Job having this to your city , I also wanted to start a book but sadly there is no interested from my circle of friends as they are too busy from their real job.
But I am starting to create little by little  so when the time comes that they are ready to Join me then we can easily release the book .
thanks for this as it brings me motivation and more dedication for my own book.

I've read about Bitcoin Book Clubs circulating on the internet, such as the one created by: @John Vallis and several other clubs.

Actually the idea you made is a good one, about the Bitcoin Book Club to make it easier and understand especially about Bitcoin, the point.

But i try to look at your instagram and twitter for now the likes and followings are very minimal, maybe you guys have to work a little hard to explain about the Bitcoin Book Club like: Creator, History, Security, Supply, Value, Digital Money, Transactions and so on about Bitcoin Chapter 1 to the last Chapter, to attract more enthusiasts to read about Bitcoin Book Clubs in your area especially.

I appreciate your efforts for bringing some of your friends together to organise a bitcoin club in your city . Bitcoin club will bring more awareness about bitcoin despite that the government has placed a ban on bitcoin transactions in bank in your city. I know for sure the club will educate people more about bitcoin,  if you don't mind I would like if you and your friends can put beginners through who want are willing to buy bitcoin on how  to get a reliable p2p exchange since the government has ban banks from cryptocurrency exchanges that people used to hope on.

Really Bitcoin has became the worldwide shortest way of investment through it's speculation and numerous recommendations from people's article's through internet, really having a bitcoin club in your jurisdiction is an avenue to pass the information of cryptocurrency and especially bitcoin to the grassroots with another dimensions, which it's what cryptocurrency and especially bitcoin needs to be  massively recognize or adopt from people who are ignorant or myopic of bitcoin kind of investment and transaction.. i applaud you very well for initiating this ideas.

The initiative is great as their club may grow as other people will be interested to know about bitcoin and crypto from a physical person. The experience is different if you are talking to an actual person rather than reading all articles about crypto. They will give you first-hand experience and how to do things in proper way. For sure, later on, for some who can get a hold of some crypto, they can have their small p2p exchange because at some point they will deal also with their local fiat.
Let's see if their club will grow 6 months, a year down the road. Can the OP update about their club, maybe after couple of months so we know if there will be progress on their group?

Bitcoin isn't totally banned in your country but it was only the banks that are against with it so there is no real reason to stop your passion about bitcoin. You can just avoid linking your banks with bitcoin related activities so that you can avoid any trouble's but why would one use a bank anyway when bitcoin is already a bank?

Your economy is collapsing, but it can even collapse more because of that move done by banks. They don't know that bitcoin can contribute something in order to help the economy but I guess they don't want this to happen because they are too selfish. Till now there are still institutions that are scared of what bitcoin can do to them.

So far not many people have made a move to raise people's awareness of bitcoin. And I appreciate you because you and your friends have made a real move on this. the steps you take will greatly inspire and motivate people.

I just wanted to help out a little bit by pointing out some great book titles that you might be able to use in your next step. maybe you have read it or have it. The following books are suitable for those who are still learning from the basics, namely:

~Blockchain Revolution
~Mastering Bitcoin
~Cryptocurrency
~Digital Gold
~The Age of Cryptocurrency
~The Internet of Money
~Bitcoin Billionaires
~The Truth Machine
~The Bitcoin Standard
~The Book of Satoshi
~Cryptocurrency All-in-One for Dummies

Good luck!

I have bookmarked several threads on Bitcointalk with links to books and other learning material that you might find useful.

- Useful Crypto Resources from Andreas M. Antonopoulos (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5354997.0)
As the name suggests, this one focuses on the work of Andreas Antonopoulos. There are links to his books and YouTube material.

- 5 Resources to teach Average Joe about Bitcoin (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5156874)
fillippone has made a collection of articles, books, videos, and other resources to teach beginners about what Bitcoin is.

- Blockchain Books, Bitcoin Movies And Documentaries (Updated) (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5142007.0)
Many people like visual stimulus, so you might think about showing the Bitcoin club a good documentary.

The moment when a central authority forbid you to use bitcoin, this is the very moment you realise you need bitcoin the most.

Well done tic you i and your friends, and the best of luck for the future of your Bitcoin Book Club.

I think it's a pretty good idea. Considering that for many, bitcoin has become an income option and more and more people are using this particular cryptocurrency to invest. Have you chosen a bar format?

That’s really cool. I’m so happy that our fellow members are so active in the real world and creating communities like these. This is future of new generation and one of the ways to teach them, attract them in this new world. Will surely go through your Instagram account and see what you guys really do.

Don’t worry, so not focus on the government and their decisions. They are always changing the stuff now and then but they can’t really change crypto space at larger extent. So keep up the work.

I'm amazed by your passion to promote and represent Bitcoin in your area. Having the willingness to share your knowledge about the importance of Bitcoin is a good step to spreading awareness which could lead to Bitcoin adaption in a certain area. Initiations like this could have a huge impact on Bitcoin in the future. This is inspiring and I hope that you and your friends would succeed in your goals and that more people will follow in your footsteps.

It a nice club not only to teach people bitcoin,  but also to encourage beginners who are experiencing the bear market maybe for the first time to not panic, some maybe confused in this time not knowing what to do. It sounds so Interesting to have a club like this, I think their is need for it.

First of June is already gone, I wonder how the first edition of the Bitcoin Book Club went.

And if this is going to be a monthly event, then the second one is around the corner.

It would be great if OP could give us an update to see how it's going.