How would you explain bitcoin to someone?

[Razmirraz]

Actually, I rarely discuss Bitcoin with other people because I want to maintain privacy, but if someone comes to me who is very interested in Bitcoin, then I will slowly introduce Bitcoin to him. Bitcoin is a digital currency that can be used for online transactions without the need for banks or other financial institutions. Anyone can make Bitcoin transactions anywhere, anytime (24/7), without limits. Its value is determined by the market and can fluctuate every minute. Since its first creation, Bitcoin has slowly gained attention from various groups of people, companies and countries, and has now become one of the most popular assets in the world.

[melinoe]

Actually, I rarely discuss Bitcoin with other people because I want to maintain privacy, but if someone comes to me who is very interested in Bitcoin, then I will slowly introduce Bitcoin to him. Bitcoin is a digital currency that can be used for online transactions without the need for banks or other financial institutions. Anyone can make Bitcoin transactions anywhere, anytime (24/7), without limits. Its value is determined by the market and can fluctuate every minute. Since its first creation, Bitcoin has slowly gained attention from various groups of people, companies and countries, and has now become one of the most popular assets in the world.

It's the future of the custody being held in your own hands, watching at there fiat / CBDCs go.

[HustleZ]

Well, such a rookie question but I am looking for some new ideas to explain about bitcoin and why they should have bitcoin in the simplest way possible, because 90% of them will not be interested in learning the whitepaper if they don't get the concept of decentralization and how central banks are ripping the people with money printers.

So no need to talk about price and share any technical source, just plain and simple, how would you explain Bitcoin to someone briefly?

I wouldn't explain Bitcoin But I would Explain the Flaws in The Traditional Banking System and They Will Automatically choose Bitcoin.

We should Not Impose Bitcoin and talk good things about Bitcoin rather we should Tell about the Serious Flaws in The banking systems, how we don't even Know about where our money is. And how we are dependent for our own money. If We tell it to them then they Would choose Bitcoin themselves by their own will and this way we won't impose something on Them. It is very important that people understand where they have put all their savings so they can make a choice.

[Shadiq]

Well, such a rookie question but I am looking for some new ideas to explain about bitcoin and why they should have bitcoin in the simplest way possible, because 90% of them will not be interested in learning the whitepaper if they don't get the concept of decentralization and how central banks are ripping the people with money printers.

So no need to talk about price and share any technical source, just plain and simple, how would you explain Bitcoin to someone briefly?

People believe and show interest in tempting activities. So if I tell someone about the value of Bitcoin and its long-term profits, then that person will become interested in Bitcoin, when someone shows interest in Bitcoin, I don't have to explain anything to him. He will start learning about Bitcoin on his own, when he is able to gain basic knowledge of Bitcoin, he will understand what Bitcoin is and how to use Bitcoin. This is not a scam, but a strategy. I will not advise anyone to invest in the beginning, but rather encourage them to gain knowledge. When a person gains knowledge, he will decide for himself what to do.

[Spaceman1000$]

Well, such a rookie question but I am looking for some new ideas to explain about bitcoin and why they should have bitcoin in the simplest way possible, because 90% of them will not be interested in learning the whitepaper if they don't get the concept of decentralization and how central banks are ripping the people with money printers.

So no need to talk about price and share any technical source, just plain and simple, how would you explain Bitcoin to someone briefly?

Bitcoin deals with privacy, so ordinary I cannot just walk up to anyone and begin to tell them about Bitcoin, because they might not really see things from my angle and even if they do, they might want to keep such information about their investment a secret, but however if they walk up to me and ask me questions about Bitcoin, surely I will explain clearly what Bitcoin and it's huge benefit entails. In simple terms, I will enlighten them about how they can be incharge of their financial lifestyle without depending on any commercial bank, I will expose them to the investment part of Bitcoin and it's possibilities.

[arwin100]

Well, such a rookie question but I am looking for some new ideas to explain about bitcoin and why they should have bitcoin in the simplest way possible, because 90% of them will not be interested in learning the whitepaper if they don't get the concept of decentralization and how central banks are ripping the people with money printers.

So no need to talk about price and share any technical source, just plain and simple, how would you explain Bitcoin to someone briefly?

Bitcoin deals with privacy, so ordinary I cannot just walk up to anyone and begin to tell them about Bitcoin, because they might not really see things from my angle and even if they do, they might want to keep such information about their investment a secret, but however if they walk up to me and ask me questions about Bitcoin, surely I will explain clearly what Bitcoin and it's huge benefit entails. In simple terms, I will enlighten them about how they can be incharge of their financial lifestyle without depending on any commercial bank, I will expose them to the investment part of Bitcoin and it's possibilities.

Correct because Bitcoin is actually hard to understand especially when it comes on its technicalities, since if we just explain about those possibilities to earn. Maybe those people will think about that Bitcoin is just another ponzi scheme the same with those crazy unknowledgeable people calls this coin.

Maybe better or safe approach is to introduce Bitcoin as alternative currency, then tell it to them that they have great chance to earn either if trade or hold it for long time. Then explain on where they can learn more information about this coin and maybe with this it can help those people understand carefully Bitcoin without thinking that this is a scam coin.

[DeeppRockk]

Bitcoin deals with privacy, so ordinary I cannot just walk up to anyone and begin to tell them about Bitcoin, because they might not really see things from my angle and even if they do, they might want to keep such information about their investment a secret, but however if they walk up to me and ask me questions about Bitcoin, surely I will explain clearly what Bitcoin and it's huge benefit entails. In simple terms, I will enlighten them about how they can be incharge of their financial lifestyle without depending on any commercial bank, I will expose them to the investment part of Bitcoin and it's possibilities.

Honestly I've seen this exact thing play out a hundred times since I got in back in 2013, it's the same debate we had then: lead with the tech or lead with the freedom pitch. And yeah, you're right to feel that way. You get the guy at the BBQ who starts ranting about SHA-256 and everyone just zones out, which is why we all learned to lead with 'digital gold' or 'be your own bank' first...

it was a survival tactic. The whole history of adoption is just people repackaging the same core ideas -scarcity, sovereignty, no middleman-for whatever crowd is in front of them. It's annoying that you gotta dumb it down sometimes but that's how you avoid sounding like a cultist.
The second-order effect is the crucial bit though: if you only ever sell the investment angle, you attract the wrong kind of holder.

They'll panic sell on a 30% dip because they never understood the underlying game theory, which is why I always slip in the 'you hold the keys' part no matter how simple I keep the initial pitch.
They might not get it day one, but it plants the seed.

[Zaguru12]

Correct because Bitcoin is actually hard to understand especially when it comes on its technicalities, since if we just explain about those possibilities to earn. Maybe those people will think about that Bitcoin is just another ponzi scheme the same with those crazy unknowledgeable people calls this coin.

In honesty this has actually been the major problem that bitcoin has been facing for so long, bitcoin actually hasn’t been explained or promoted as a currency rather once someone asks about the importance of bitcoin some self acclaimed influencers usually just jump on the narrative that it yields profit while this is not a wrong notion I think it sends a wrong narrative to the person and that’s why technical we are having more people who sees bitcoin as a get rich quick scheme than genuine investors.

My answer will mostly be on the particular problem I think the questioner is facing. For some facing issues with cross boarder payment I will tell them bitcoin isn’t just an alternative currency alone but also reduces the hassle of using banks for this cross boarder transaction if at all the receiver actually accepts bitcoin. For another person facing issue of an Inflated local currency I will tell them how bitcoin if properly invested in can help reduce such problems.

In generalization I will simply say it is the freedom one has in actually being owning his currency or asset with third party ownership or involvement

[macson]

Most laypeople don't like being introduced to something through a complicated explanation. So, if I were to introduce Bitcoin to someone, I'd start by explaining that it's a digital currency that you can use for safe and secure transactions without geographical restrictions and without bank regulations.

Then, I'd explain how every transaction is recorded in an immutable blockchain ledger, its limited supply of 21 million, its decentralization, and how it allows people to have complete control over their assets.

With a brief explanation like this, I think people will understand Bitcoin more easily because there are no technical aspects to confuse them from the start. And then, when they become interested in learning more, they can move on to more detailed material.

[Ucy]

You could put it this way: The Bitcoin Network/system is like a very strong community-owned, interconnected and transparent piggybanks, with each piggybank placed at the front house of each member of a large community, with physical lock to open & close the piggybank. And ontop of each piggybank is a small electronic display for displaying transactions (and can possibly mint coin/paper money), and small opening for slipping in money. Each piggybank also has address, in form of short numbers, written on its body, that is used to identify its owner and find the piggybank location to put in money. Once a sender put in money in a piggybank, the transaction reflects on the electronic display to enable the owner of the piggybank know who sent the money or what piggybank address the money came from.

The piggybanks in the community are as numerous as the members of the community. Their general activities, transactions, data, money or records are controlled, confirmed and approved collectively by all members of piggybank owners via the piggybanks.   No single member has ultimate control or power over this. There is a fixed amount of money that can be printed. Every piggybank verifies always to ensure that there is no ovweprinting of money.

[batang_bitcoin]

I guess the easiest thing to explain is about Bitcoin is the money on the internet. And it's backed up the global investors that are part of its community. If they ask from where it's getting the value, aside from the market capitalization that it has got. Like the manufacturing industry, it's powered by the miners that's also spending energy for it to be mined. So there goes the spending from mining with powerful machines and that's how it's getting the value from how difficult it is to mine. Quite complex but I think you get the idea.

[Bastketsrus]

You can send money anywhere in the world 24/7 without relying on banks. On top of that, you pay very low fees. You also have an advantage that no government currency has, your money doesn't lose value as inflation rises in your country.
If you store your coins properly, governments can't claim your money or seize it without a reason. Even if your wealth is very large, you can carry it with you anywhere in the world. You're not affected by ridiculous customs rules.

There's no need to reinvent the wheel. These points are enough to summarize Bitcoin for someone new to it.

You explained it nicely. Bitcoin mainly gives people control over their own money without depending on banks or borders. Of course users still need to manage their security properly, but for beginners this is a simple and clear way to understand why Bitcoin matters.

[PrivacyG]

I would not.  If they are impatient to learn and if they do not want to hear about it then just give up.  I learned this along the way.  More over.  It is nowadays apparently much safer to just keep your mouth shut and not discuss Bitcoin considering the increasing amount of wrench attacks, torture and kidnapping of people who are known to have Bitcoin.

People who do not want to listen do not want to be involved with Bitcoin and it is all right.  I would not listen to some body who tries to convince me about how great Banks are because I do not care how convenient and comfortable it is.  I do not want to get my self involved with any of them so they could sit down and explain for hours straight, I know would still not be convinced.

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You could put it this way: The Bitcoin Network/system is like a very strong community-owned, interconnected and transparent piggybanks system placed at the front house of each member of a community with physical locks to open & close the piggybanks, And ontop of each piggybank is a small electronic display for displaying transactions (and can possibly mint coin/paper money), with small opening for slipping in money. Each piggybank also has address(numbers) written on their body that are used to find their location to put in money. Once a sender put in money in a piggybank, the transaction reflects on the electronic display to enable the owner of the piggybank know who sent the money or what sender's piggybank address the money came from.

I have been around for many years now and I still do not understand what you are explaining.  You made it more complicated than explaining Bitcoin directly as it is.

[Bastketsrus]

I guess the easiest thing to explain is about Bitcoin is the money on the internet. And it's backed up the global investors that are part of its community. If they ask from where it's getting the value, aside from the market capitalization that it has got. Like the manufacturing industry, it's powered by the miners that's also spending energy for it to be mined. So there goes the spending from mining with powerful machines and that's how it's getting the value from how difficult it is to mine. Quite complex but I think you get the idea.

That’s a nice and simple way to explain it. Calling Bitcoin internet money makes it easier for beginners to get the idea. Its value comes from demand and the miners securing the network, so once you understand the basics, it doesn’t feel that complicated.

[Hamza2424]

I will give them idea on how their banks are using their money without any consent and making profit, while their money is making them all that profit and they are earning nothing or earning too low.

I can easily convince my family and friends who are not into crypto but their minds are into something else, they prefer to buy gold but if I will give them broader introduction of how bitcoin can be the next digital gold they might think of it and make some investment, but I will never convince anyone to invest but I don't miss a chance to explain someone what is bitcoin.

Banks are just pretending that they like this adoption, they don't and they will cause any possible problem or delay payment that is related to crypto. That's why I avoid that and only deal with trusted people who won't turn their backs later and report to the banks, as otherwise there is no way for banks to know what has happened.

Convincing family and friends to invest in btc is a good idea bro, try it, they won't listen though haha. They will ask how much you have invested, and how much you have made, but if you have invested and made a loss, or have not invested, then you have failed and can't convince them anymore. You need to make them happy and tell them what they want to hear haha sadly. Anyway, I try to burst the whole reality so they either run away or do not leave it under any conditions and the results have always been better, surprisingly haha.

[justdimin]

Well, such a rookie question but I am looking for some new ideas to explain about bitcoin and why they should have bitcoin in the simplest way possible, because 90% of them will not be interested in learning the whitepaper if they don't get the concept of decentralization and how central banks are ripping the people with money printers.

I would say that you do not have to explain to anyone at all, that is not your job. If they want to learn more about it then they can research, with todays google and AI, they can learn as much as they can from it and that should be fine for them, they do not need more and should not need more.

Because, you do not need to convince anyone to get into bitcoin but you may give outline about bitcoin and then they may decide to adapt or simply move on. If bitcoin got no investment opportunity, I am sure that we cannot convince anyone or moreover non technical people would never touch bitcoin. So, explaining the hedge property of bitcoin may help you for being attractive while explaining bitcoin to new people.

[Smartprofit]

I'd tell the following story about Bitcoin: "Imagine you're swimming completely naked in the sea! You're enjoying life. First, you swim the crawl, then the breaststroke, then the butterfly... You revel in your merging with nature. The strength and flexibility of your body. The filigree precision of your movements. You feel more like a dolphin than a human... And all this time, while you're swimming, your money is in your head. Because you remember a sequence of 12 English words!"💃

Next, I'd say the following.  "Now imagine you urgently need to travel to another country (because a war has broken out in your country). You pass through checkpoints where men armed with machine guns stand. They search you for money, gold, and other valuables, but find nothing. So they let you go. You have a passport, so you safely cross the border and find yourself in another country. There, you buy the cheapest smartphone for $50, download an app from a website, enter a sequence of 12 words, and you're rich again. Because all this time, your capital was in your head."

To access your capital, you don't need to go to a commercial bank or resort to any other intermediary. This capital is invisible, but it exists! This is Bitcoin!💫

[Hatchy]

To access your capital, you don't need to go to a commercial bank or resort to any other intermediary. This capital is invisible, but it exists! This is Bitcoin!💫

Hmm, by this are you suggesting brain storage? It's not ideal because one may forget his seed phrase at some point or after some health issues may not longer be able to recall all sequence.. it would be somehow difficult if you get to encounter such armed individuals that would do a search on you. Even if you were to write out the seedphrase, with how popular crypto has become they would easily recognise a 12 word sequence and this may put you in danger as well..I don't know of a better way to convey the keys though in case like this, but it would be better to somehow hide it instead of trying to memorize the keys..

[Patikno]

Well, such a rookie question but I am looking for some new ideas to explain about bitcoin and why they should have bitcoin in the simplest way possible, because 90% of them will not be interested in learning the whitepaper if they don't get the concept of decentralization and how central banks are ripping the people with money printers.

So no need to talk about price and share any technical source, just plain and simple, how would you explain Bitcoin to someone briefly?

Initially, I will explain Bitcoin to them simply, and try to pique their curiosity by comparing it to fiat, and even other valuables. Then, I will try to get them to imagine what it would be like to hold fiat long-term (from about ten years ago to now), and then compare it to Bitcoin (holding Bitcoin now). By the way, I won't just let them see those few things; I will also explain Bitcoin history from past to present, from the unpleasant news to the truly interesting news. This will let them know that Bitcoin won't be affected by negative press, and that it will only gain more and more publicity, and positive news (as we often find nowadays).

Well, I understand that it all depends on the purpose of my explanation. In short, if they are interested in Bitcoin because of its price, then I will briefly explain that. If they are interested in Bitcoin because of its price, then I will provide them with references and explanations. Of course, I will explain everything I know about Bitcoin to them eventually, especially as they become more and more curious about Bitcoin in depth, and I think I still don't know many things about Bitcoin, so I think it will also make me learn a lot of things, or various things that I missed. Honestly, I mostly get questions about Bitcoin price, and rarely get questions about how Bitcoin or its system works, is that the same for you?

[aylabadia05]

Well, such a rookie question but I am looking for some new ideas to explain about bitcoin and why they should have bitcoin in the simplest way possible, because 90% of them will not be interested in learning the whitepaper if they don't get the concept of decentralization and how central banks are ripping the people with money printers.

So no need to talk about price and share any technical source, just plain and simple, how would you explain Bitcoin to someone briefly?

I am no longer interested in explaining to others how I will continue to be involved in Bitcoin unless someone comes to me with questions that indicate they want to hear more about why I am focusing on Bitcoin.
I will explain that for me, Bitcoin is a digital investment asset that is not complicated. Why an investment asset and not a currency? Because where I live, Bitcoin cannot be used as currency, but it can be traded and held as an asset.

I will share the price history over time and how the price market changes in unpredictable ways. Furthermore, storage is not complicated, and only the owner knows the amount of their wealth in Bitcoin as long as the address is not shared. With other assets like gold, people might know.