[Interviews] with Bitcointalk members

[DubemIfedigbo001]

Thank you zazad@ for the opportunity to participate in your interview.

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
I became interested in 2014, when ponzi was in the rise in my country and my friends and I thought we saw a new age different kind of ponzi which were don't need to bring in someone to pay us in order to get profits.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin? I bought my first Bitcoin in 2014 with the intention of getting profits and selling back, but sadly, the decline in price made me panic and sell off at loss and lost interest in it.

3. How did you get on the forum? I was introduced by a friend in 2023 after we had an argument about Bitcoin being Ponzi and he invited me to come and learn more about Bitcoin from it's online community.

4.1. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education? from the time I got into the forum, I learned a lot immediately and seeing the potential of Bitcoin, I started investing into Bitcoin from October, 2023 after barely five months, so 2 - 3 years is a lot of time for someone to start investing into cryptocurrency especially Bitcoin. Too much theoretical knowledge without practicality becomes a problem to the learner.

4.2. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
Ignorance, lack of funds and procrastination on a personal level and governmental restrictions on a societal level.

4.3. What is the situation with cryptocurrencies in your country? Are there any problems when exchanging for fiat? Which city or place in your country is best suited for cryptocurrency holders?
The government in my country isn't giving cryptocurrency the favorable condition it requires to thrive, although they're not totally against it, but once in a while they pick stunts to attack crypto enthusiasts. We don't exchange it to fiat publicly, we do so on exchanges, although very few exchanges since some exchanges fell out with my country and removed our currency P2P options from their platforms.

I don't think there's a place in my country that supports holders the most, we do it mostly on a personal level.

4.4. Are you using the Lightning network? If yes, for what purposes?
I've not used it before, although I've plans of testing it out since I've learnt it's a faster method for transferring Bitcoin across wallets

4.5. Which secure cryptocurrency wallets are you currently using?
Electrum

4.6. Does the huge amount of betting and gambling advertising hurt the forum?
Nope, not really. It does some great good since companies being advertised have reps in the forum that attend to issues and it's also a means of side hustle for certain members that they employ for the advertisements.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
I think the merit system is wonderful, it aids in reinstating the commitment and quality engagement of forum members.

Signature campaigns are good developments and the knowledge that users can earn from campaigns keeps them around and motivated to a high level.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
There are many useful topics that have helped me in learning that it's hard to handpick one.

JayJuanGee, The Cryptovator, Cryptoprenueurbrainboss, Hugeblack, Phillipone, Vapourminer, Lovemayfamilis, Ddmr Ddmr are very helpful in the forum

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
1. Routine check on merit sources and deactivating passive ones and giving active members the roles to help others.
2. A forum image processing server to put an end to image display issues here in the forum
3. An appeal panel for users against DT members that abuse their powers

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
Yeah definitely, I use Binance to consolidate my coins before sending to my Electrum wallet and I use Bitget for my P2P trades.

I hold bitcoins and invest little amounts into promising altcoins to hold too. I'm all about holding for now and virtually any project I invest into is because I want to hold the coins for long.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
My losses brings me to tears. I lost over 4BTC that I bought in 2014 because I thought Bitcoin was Ponzi and sold out of panic. In 2020 too, I got into Ethereum when it was less than $150, and without the mindset of holding, I ventures into "million money". A ponzi activity that claimed all my Ethereum which I had in almost 30 accounts thinking I would profit from it.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
I think it's cool and being decentralized, it would bring total ownership and financial security to the users, it's still in infant stage and needs lots of advancement. I don't think it would easily fulfill it's purpose of thoroughly replacing banks and other governmental third-party financial institutions, it would take a long time to achieve this purpose.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
Anonymity that I enjoy in my finances is both a necessity and a precaution to me. My country is laced with insecurity, so it's better to stay anonymous with your finances to survive for long and Bitcoin offered me such and I'm very cool with it.

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
The Bitcoin standard, recommended by Blackhatcoiner

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
Bitcoin, Ton, PI

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2025?
$130,000

[Sticky Bomb]

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
   After the previous bull run, when I witnesses BTC rise from less than $20k to $69k. I knew there were something interesting in crypto that would benefit me.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
   Late last year, when I started out my accumulation journey into bitcoin.

3. How did you get on the forum?
   From a friend who was teaching me more about crypto after I fell victim to buying some shitcoin which never pumped back until date.

4.1. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
   I think it is enough and at the same time I think it is too much if the person got to know bitcoin investment first, Myself started looking up crypto from 5 years ago and invested early last year, making some errors under the wrong guidance until I got into the forum and I feel I'm getting it right currently.

4.2. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
   Ignorance and wrong guidance. I was a victim of wrong guidance and was at the verge of running away before I was introduced to this forum

4.3. What is the situation with cryptocurrencies in your country? Are there any problems when exchanging for fiat? Which city or place in your country is best suited for cryptocurrency holders?
Yeah, There are lots of problems, from some exchanges like Binance, Kucoin e.t.c disabling my currency to the banks targeting accounts linked to crypto transaction whilst it is not banned in the country. Furthermore, lots of scammers being on the exchanges still offering P2P to us and trying their stunts to steal your coins or funds if you are not careful.

The best city from my knowledge is Lagos, there are like 2 bitcoin ATM cards or more located there.

4.4. Are you using the Lightning network? If yes, for what purposes?
  Nope, I've heard a lot about it though, but sadly, I'm not yet using bitcoin for payments. I'm stacking, but I would love to use it in the future.

4.5. Which secure cryptocurrency wallets are you currently using?
   Phantom for Solana, Electrum for bitcoin after consolidating it on Binance.

4.6. Does the huge amount of betting and gambling advertising hurt the forum?
   Nope, not really. Everybody got to use their head and the gambling advertisment brings funds to users, I can say it helps the forum in some kinda way.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
   No No No, don't even go there. The merit system keeps the forum standardized and to some extent makes the users want to post more quality content. Myself even had to be very active because my campaign manager Yahoo62278 keeps track of it on a weekly basis. So, in order not to be found underperforming. I always want to get more and to get more, I would always post useful contents.


Signature campaigns also makes users very active in the forum because the stipends they give keeps us motivated TBH and makes us want to stay longer .

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
   There are lots of them honestly, I really can't point to a particular one, but I can answer for the most useful thread to me since coming into this forum is the Buy the dip, and HODL thread because I have learned a lot regarding bitcoin investment and accurate cashflow management and Thanks to JayJuanGee for being our ever committed guardian.

JayJuanGee tops my list, then Pooya87, Vapourminer, Igebotz, LoyceV, Imiau, BlackHatCoiner

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
  Mmmm!, I haven't really given it a thought earlier, but now I can say I would like more merit sources to be allocated to some boards like economics and gambling board, secondly merit sources should be made to send at least 80% of their monthly allocations so that more meaningful posts can receive the recognition they deserve.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
   I am not an active trader, I just guess price movements and never trade. I invest in projects, have some Notcoins I bought earlier last year, but I think I'm more comfortable with investing into bitcoin currently. SMH

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
   My big loss was investing into Hamster Kombat after launch, thinking it would pump, but lost my hard earned $500. My big profit is staked for the future when I harvest my bitcoin holdings. Then my stipends from sig. campaigns.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
   I think it is not very matured yet because most countries relies mostly on centralized means. It is a very effective project, but it would surely take time to be well implemented. The future would surely be bright with it, bit I do not see it totally eliminating the traditional banking system, but I would want it to have the upper hand in future financial dealings.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
  A vital necessity to me, I love lots of privacy in my dealings

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
  Bitcoin Whitepaper, Cryptoassets(The Innovative Investor's Guide to Bitcoin and Beyond)

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
   Bitcoin, ADA, SUI,

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2025?
  With what I am seeing now, I would estimate $125k - $140k
 
15. P.S. (Optional)
Thank you for having me participate in your interview.

[Mr Reporter]

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
   i think i got interested in cryptocurrency sometimes in the year's 2021 when i saw how people talk about it, and i saw it potential which was going to be profitable in some year so it got to my interests in investing in it.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
   Well it was not funny then but i hopeful did made many researches online and aslo how to buy bitcoin on YouTube.

3. How did you get on the forum?
   From a friend who was telling about bitcoin investment and he told me if i would love to learn about bitcoin he could introduce me to a forum were i could learn and understand bitcoin better and lucky till then.

4.1. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
   I think it is enough and at this same time not enough because cryptocurrency technology are been renewals every year so i meant said in cryptocurrency learning never ends from my own point of view.

4.2. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
   i will there are many factors that prevent mass adoption like this part lack of understanding of cryptocurrency and their benefits which it can really limits mass adoption increasing awareness and knowledge about cryptocurrency should be a better ideas.

4.3. What is the situation with cryptocurrencies in your country? Are there any problems when exchanging for fiat? Which city or place in your country is best suited for cryptocurrency holders?
I most say my country really doesn't have this close relationship with cryptocurrency that much only the economic grow and some kind of monetary policy has led to surge in the cryptocurrency world's.



4.4. Are you using the Lightning network? If yes, for what purposes?
  Nope, I've heard a lot about it though, but sadly, I'm not yet using bitcoin for payments. I'm stacking, but I would love to use it in the future.
Well i most say i have not heard about this lighting network. But love to try it maybe someday when am changed.

4.5. Which secure cryptocurrency wallets are you currently using?
   Phantom for Solana, Electrum for bitcoin after consolidating it on Binance.
For now i think i mostly do make use of this wallet called trusted wallets.


4.6. Does the huge amount of betting and gambling advertising hurt the forum?
   Nope, it does not hurt the forum members in any way it really keep the forum more interesting when posting or advertising for a signature campaign it help you make better decision.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
   Well i think the merits systems  was not a ideas honestly speaking it has the forum mover with many gains of having quality post, and also for the signature campaign part i think signature campaign has help alot of members today to start thier accumulation of bitcoin.



6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
Well to me i think i will be highly given the most helpful user is @JayJuanGee  @Pooya87, @Vapourminer,@ Igebotz, @LoyceV, @Imiau, @BlackHatCoiner


7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
  Well what i will say abouts implement on the forum is that will need more merits source on the local boards, and if will all can see how there are many quality poster on the boards.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
   I am not an active trader which i use exchange when trading and also mostly use p2p.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
   My big loss was when i i investined in an wrong token which was called Pixel verse and i invested $200 and the tokens went down and it could not list, and that was a very big loss ever since i started cryptocurrency.


10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
   well i think the DEFi ecosystems is rapidly evolving space that aims to recreate traditional financial systems using blockchain technology and smart contract.


11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
  well most time i think most times like vital necessity.

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
   The basic of Bitcoin and blockchain, Mastering Bitcoin.

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
   Bitcoin, CHAMBY Token, Ton.

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2025?
  
Well i think for prediction i think $118,768.82

  
15. P.S. (Optional)
Thank you for having me participate in your interview.

[aioc]

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
    I got interested because it created a lot of buzz on forums where I was active.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
   No, I did not buy my first Bitcoin. I got it from a bounty campaign back when Bitcoin was worth $1500

3. How did you get on the forum?
    A friend invited me here, but he is no longer active here.

4.1. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to invest successfully, or does an investor need to receive special education?
With the introduction of innovations, it’s a continuous process; you should not be satisfied with what you know, because cryptocurrency is constantly evolving.


4.2. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
        It has always been regulated by the government, which views cryptocurrency as a threat to its control over citizens and the financial system, leading to restrictions, regulations, and bans.


4.3. What is the situation with cryptocurrencies in your country? Are there any problems when exchanging for fiat? Which city or place in your country is best suited for cryptocurrency holders?
It's legal, but unfortunately, we can only trade on local exchanges here, as popular overseas exchanges are banned here. This happened because the local exchange has lobbied to restrict exchanges like Binance.


4.4. Are you using the Lightning network? If yes, for what purposes?
No, not yet, but I’ll consider it when I open my online store.

4.5. Which secure cryptocurrency wallets are you currently using?
   I’m using Electrum, Trustwallet, and Metamask


4.6. Does the huge amount of betting and gambling advertising hurt the forum?
       I don’t think so, it’s part of the Bitcoin ecosystem and one of the first to adopt cryptocurrency, which somewhat helped cryptocurrency move forward.


5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
I’m okay with it; we just need more merit-based sources, as many good posts are left out.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
I consider this the most useful topic https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=703657.0  / Unofficial list of (official) Bitcointalk.org rules, guidelines, FAQ
this is our reference on how we should behave and act on our beloved forum. We always return here to refresh ourselves and others, reminding us of how the guidelines and lines, although unofficial, are accepted by all members.
I consider LoyceV to be the most helpful user; the information he provides is all useful, and he has good common sense.

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
  I think having a chat is beneficial, and a dark mode is also a good feature.


8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
   Yes, if I see potential, I trade some of my coin to invest in that project. Being an early bird in a project with good potential will pay off in the future.


9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
My most significant loss was on one meme. To think that I traded or sold three of my coins to buy this meme; these three coins that I sold went on to triple their value.


10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
      It’s here to stay because it offers a dynamic and promising space that provides numerous opportunities for innovation and disruption in the financial sector.


11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
    I read that one crime is committed against cryptocurrency holders every week, and with this, it becomes necessary to protect your identity.

13. Advise three cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
     I consider Polkadot, Solana, and Cardano.o I based it on institutional adoption and technological advancement


14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2025?
Given the current trajectory, it is likely to reach $150 by the end of the year.

15. P.S. Thank you for the invitation to be part of this thread