Hey Bitcoiners,

I've heard estimations there are anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 million Bitcoin users currently, which is obviously peanuts compared to the potential user base out there.

But currently, how many of those would we figure actually research the fundamentals of bitcoin and see it having a very large role in finance vs. those who are simply interested in the market side of bitcoin to gain fiat currency?

I venture into the speculation threads, and many discuss their entry and exit points (waiting for bitcoin to reach a value before cashing back out into fiat), but the amount of buyers, HODLers and bitcoin believers seems lower in comparison.

A bitcoin bubble brings in people with dollar signs in their eyes, but how many actually stick around and realize the potential of this beyond making more cash?

I ask because I wonder if another bubble is really any good for gaining publicity, does bitcoin need a bubble to raise awareness, only to bring in thousands of people who want a quick buck? Or is there a way to gain publicity and bring in thousands of people who see the potential instead?

I have a good buddy who I've explained Bitcoin/Crypto too, the blockchain, the idea of having a public financial ledger free from corruption and centralization, but it isn't until I mention the massive explosion in bitcoin value that he becomes interested as an "investor".

It bums me out that people are so often unable to open their eyes, and see this beyond a USD/CAD/CNY/EURO price, or even see the corruption and manipulation that takes place in the current financial system, are we all waiting for a fiat collapse for people to see the light?