Is Crypto About Financial Freedom,Crypto, or Just Another Investment Asset Now?

[Ziskinberg]

Its both and I think that's more advantageous on our part. If bitcoin will be used as a daily currency, then we can achieve financial freedom from the shadows of the third parties.

However, we should not also waste the opportunity we have for bitcoin at the moment, seeing it as a valuable investment is worth of our money and time. While it can be a source of additional income for us, it can also be a great tool for our retirement in the future.

So let's take it both. It will always be an edge for us as long as we're positive and hopeful of what we're doing.

[legiteum]

Crypto is still all about financial freedom. However, since only few of the countries are accepting bitcoin as a currency, that can be used like a daily currency, then people have shifted bitcoin as a tool for investment for now, especially seeing that its price has a lot of potentials to grow more in the next possible years and decade.

In the end, the idea of having bitcoin to gain financial freedom that is free of the bank and government shadows is still the main goal. Having it as a future retirement is just an additional.

What are you talking about? Bitcoin is legal almost everywhere in the world. Only in one country, El Salvador, do they actually force their citizens to use Bitcoin whether they want to or not--and it's still not broadly used even there.

The reason why people don't use it is because it's absurdly slow and absurdly expensive to transact.

[Glowy]

To those that holds decentralized coins like Bitcoin, if you don't move your Bitcoin off your own wallet into third party wallet like exchange or other platforms, you still holds your power, freedom and permissionless to spent your Bitcoin, attention is shifting because of demand for high value for the market, ETFs are meant to control the market but only those that buy into it will have their freedom and control transfered but what they are focusing on is the increase value of their assets and no longer about privacy or decentralization.

I agree with you on that, the focus has shifted somewhat from privacy and decentralization talks.
Observation shows there is some degree of interest in asset accumulation.

[Odusko]

I agree with you on that, the focus has shifted somewhat from privacy and decentralization talks.
Observation shows there is some degree of interest in asset accumulation.

Majority of people in cryptocurrency are in for the investment aspect of it and not because of love for the technology behind it, this is why you see a lot of adoptions of Bitcoin ETFs and other Centralised investment models that give high future profits, and reason you see more and more private individuals and they company buying, accumulating huge amount of Bitcoin.

[Cryptomultiplier]

I agree with you on that, the focus has shifted somewhat from privacy and decentralization talks.
Observation shows there is some degree of interest in asset accumulation.

Majority of people in cryptocurrency are in for the investment aspect of it and not because of love for the technology behind it, this is why you see a lot of adoptions of Bitcoin ETFs and other Centralised investment models that give high future profits, and reason you see more and more private individuals and they company buying, accumulating huge amount of Bitcoin.

Whether big pockets investors decides to accumulate Bitcoin through spot ETF or it is used as a currency in the strait of Hormuz for a supposed secret code before passing through, or it is used to pay taxes and remittances, the most important thing is that it has and is still achieving what it was designed for mathematically, so it actually depends on countries or individuals or businesses or investors, to use Bitcoin and its systems as they deem fit.

[rodskee]

it’s still intact mate

those who use crypto because of its decentralization have not disappeared they still exist. not everyone holds bitcoin through etfs. i know this because i am one. it may be a large conversation now but it’s not everything there is.

[ClaudeKing]

I agree with you on that, the focus has shifted somewhat from privacy and decentralization talks.
Observation shows there is some degree of interest in asset accumulation.

Majority of people in cryptocurrency are in for the investment aspect of it and not because of love for the technology behind it, this is why you see a lot of adoptions of Bitcoin ETFs and other Centralised investment models that give high future profits, and reason you see more and more private individuals and they company buying, accumulating huge amount of Bitcoin.

Whether big pockets investors decides to accumulate Bitcoin through spot ETF or it is used as a currency in the strait of Hormuz for a supposed secret code before passing through, or it is used to pay taxes and remittances, the most important thing is that it has and is still achieving what it was designed for mathematically, so it actually depends on countries or individuals or businesses or investors, to use Bitcoin and its systems as they deem fit.

Conceptually, this narrative can be understood as an affirmation that Bitcoin operates not as a normative entity directing behavior, but rather as a probabilistic infrastructure that provides a spectrum of possible uses without imposing specific preferences. Within this framework, institutional investors' decisions to access it through spot ETFs are simply a manifestation of market rationality seeking to reduce perceived volatility, while usage scenarios in strategic trading channels reflect the exploitation of its inherent pseudonymity and censorship resistance. Furthermore, adoption in fiscal domains such as taxes and remittances demonstrates a convergence between decentralized systems and formal economic structures, which were previously antagonistic. Nevertheless, Bitcoin's essence remains its mathematical determinism, unaffected by user intentions. Thus, the variability in usage is not a deviation, but rather a validation of its antifragile design against interpretation.

[OsaiEmma]

Crypto was originally built around the idea of financial freedom, self-custody, permission-less access, and independence from traditional systems.

But today, a large part of the conversation seems to revolve around price, ETFs, institutions, and returns.

Many users are entering the space not for freedom, but for investment opportunities.

So here’s what I’m thinking, crypto shifted from a movement to just another asset class, or is the original purpose still intact beneath the surface?

The Government also are hell bent on ensuring they have some level of control over Bitcoin using their so called crypto regulation policies. It's truly unfortunate how IMF pressured El Salvador from removing Bitcoin as a legal tender, in fact, they have issued policies to all affiliated countries that restricted them from making Bitcoin a legal tender.

So here’s what I’m thinking, crypto shifted from a movement to just another asset class, or is the original purpose still intact beneath the surface?

Yes, it is still intact, the code is still working as it should. The protocol is still strong, the miners are still their, Bitcoin is still doing what it is inherently intended for. But a lot of people are in it, so it is being used however they please because it is decentralized and for everyone. It has no boundaries or restrictions, it has no control, so any and everybody can use it in any and every way they please, in as much as the protocol/code allows it.

[FortuneFollower]

it’s still intact mate

those who use crypto because of its decentralization have not disappeared they still exist. not everyone holds bitcoin through etfs. i know this because i am one. it may be a large conversation now but it’s not everything there is.

It's a part of the eco, just like any other.

Where there is profit, there will be a government that will want that profit for themsleves.

[macson]

If you're referring to Bitcoin as crypto, I can say that it's a digital currency that gives you freedom because it's not controlled by banks, and you have full control over your assets.

But we can't deny that not everyone shares the same understanding that it's much more secure to store their Bitcoin in a self-custody wallet. Most people are more comfortable using third-party services to profit from Bitcoin. That's their choice.

But whatever they do, it doesn't change the fact that Bitcoin still gives people the freedom to manage and transact their assets.

[rodskee]

Crypto is still all about financial freedom. However, since only few of the countries are accepting bitcoin as a currency, that can be used like a daily currency, then people have shifted bitcoin as a tool for investment for now, especially seeing that its price has a lot of potentials to grow more in the next possible years and decade.

In the end, the idea of having bitcoin to gain financial freedom that is free of the bank and government shadows is still the main goal. Having it as a future retirement is just an additional.

What are you talking about? Bitcoin is legal almost everywhere in the world. Only in one country, El Salvador, do they actually force their citizens to use Bitcoin whether they want to or not--and it's still not broadly used even there.

The reason why people don't use it is because it's absurdly slow and absurdly expensive to transact.

there are countries who have complete ban on bitcoin: China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Bolivia

while some countries, like mine, don’t have any concrete or strict rules. it’s almost neither accepted nor banned. it’s just there. there’s no rules for it.

[legiteum]

What are you talking about? Bitcoin is legal almost everywhere in the world. Only in one country, El Salvador, do they actually force their citizens to use Bitcoin whether they want to or not--and it's still not broadly used even there.

The reason why people don't use it is because it's absurdly slow and absurdly expensive to transact.

there are countries who have complete ban on bitcoin: China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Bolivia

while some countries, like mine, don’t have any concrete or strict rules. it’s almost neither accepted nor banned. it’s just there. there’s no rules for it.

So.... 90% of the world's economy has free and clear access to Bitcoin (and China's ban is only for official entities but individuals there are in practice allowed to buy and hold Bitcoin).

So the problem with Bitcoin adoption is not, "the government", it's Bitcoin itself, which is too slow and too expensive to be a mainstream means of moving money.

[Zigabel]

Crypto was originally built around the idea of financial freedom, self-custody, permission-less access, and independence from traditional systems.

But today, a large part of the conversation seems to revolve around price, ETFs, institutions, and returns.

Many users are entering the space not for freedom, but for investment opportunities.

So here’s what I’m thinking, crypto shifted from a movement to just another asset class, or is the original purpose still intact beneath the surface?

What you make of it is what matters the most at this time, Crypto has been able to evolve to the point where it comfortably fits in to all and every aspect it was expected to. Investment, security and Finance  all of this are still very much intact and is now even considered an advantage because this exposes us to another form of flexibility with Crypto such that it can even serve in all of the capacity concurrently.  You may want to consider it a form of asset and hold it as an investment in the long-term which can later be used as a direct form of exchange for goods or services, so all of its purpose are preserved and still serving purpose, you can still see it as a movement if you so prefer, because there are Crypto communities that commemorate with that and upholds that purpose. It's high time we begin to see Crypto for it's multi dimensional versatility and not just wanting to narrow it to one taught purpose alone, Things evolve and so we should.

[X-ray]

So the problem with Bitcoin adoption is not, "the government", it's Bitcoin itself, which is too slow and too expensive to be a mainstream means of moving money.

Use L2 protocol such as lightning network or L2 sidechain if you want to settle microtransactions e.g coffee payment, and some other small value transactions.

Everybody in Ethereum is using base to settle small value transaction, why shouldn't we behave the same with bitcoin. There are babylon, stacks, RSK, Merlin, and many more.

It's not bitcoin that is the problem, people just need to put some effort into using the cheaper way if they are moving small amount of money to make it worth it.

[legiteum]

So the problem with Bitcoin adoption is not, "the government", it's Bitcoin itself, which is too slow and too expensive to be a mainstream means of moving money.

Use L2 protocol such as lightning network or L2 sidechain if you want to settle microtransactions e.g coffee payment, and some other small value transactions.

L2's are stupid, which is why almost nobody uses them. An L2 is not Bitcoin and does not have any of the advantages of Bitcoin. You might as well just use a fast stablecoin instead, which is what most people use for payments. It's simpler, faster, cheaper and safer. With an L2, you incur all of the disadvantages of the L2 network along side of the risks of the hand-off to the actual Bitcoin network. It's just plain stupid.

[retreat]

Bitcoin remains the same; it still offers people freedom, self-custody, and independence from traditional systems. As for people who use ETFs or other centralized platforms, that’s their own business, if they prefer to trust those centralized platforms to manage their assets, that’s their choice.

Self-custody is for everyone who wants to maintain full control and sovereignty over their assets. But not everyone accepts this and prefers to trust a third party to manage their assets, if so, that means they reject the idea and are prepared for the possibility that their assets might be lost at any time if something goes wrong. Remember that “Not your keys, not your Bitcoin.”

[henry_of_skalitz]

So the problem with Bitcoin adoption is not, "the government", it's Bitcoin itself, which is too slow and too expensive to be a mainstream means of moving money.

Use L2 protocol such as lightning network or L2 sidechain if you want to settle microtransactions e.g coffee payment, and some other small value transactions.

L2's are stupid, which is why almost nobody uses them. An L2 is not Bitcoin and does not have any of the advantages of Bitcoin. You might as well just use a fast stablecoin instead, which is what most people use for payments. It's simpler, faster, cheaper and safer. With an L2, you incur all of the disadvantages of the L2 network along side of the risks of the hand-off to the actual Bitcoin network. It's just plain stupid.

So  over 8 mil. people all around are stupid enough to use Lighting.. Gotcha

[legiteum]

So the problem with Bitcoin adoption is not, "the government", it's Bitcoin itself, which is too slow and too expensive to be a mainstream means of moving money.

Use L2 protocol such as lightning network or L2 sidechain if you want to settle microtransactions e.g coffee payment, and some other small value transactions.

L2's are stupid, which is why almost nobody uses them. An L2 is not Bitcoin and does not have any of the advantages of Bitcoin. You might as well just use a fast stablecoin instead, which is what most people use for payments. It's simpler, faster, cheaper and safer. With an L2, you incur all of the disadvantages of the L2 network along side of the risks of the hand-off to the actual Bitcoin network. It's just plain stupid.

So  over 8 mil. people all around are stupid enough to use Lighting.. Gotcha

Compared to the volume going through stablecoins, Lightning is just a toy used by a few hobbyists.

[Antotena]

Crypto was originally built around the idea of financial freedom, self-custody, permission-less access, and independence from traditional systems.

But today, a large part of the conversation seems to revolve around price, ETFs, institutions, and returns.

Many users are entering the space not for freedom, but for investment opportunities.

So here’s what I’m thinking, crypto shifted from a movement to just another asset class, or is the original purpose still intact beneath the surface?

Bitcoin was first tried to be independently asset and was pushing government financial institution to the Wall and they fought back due to the fact that Bitcoin is decentralized and censorship resistance but along the line, I saw that Bitcoin and financial institutions are now eating in the same place in the sense that we have people that are into Bitcoin from financial institution, you can see that Bitcoin is spreading to other places and continue to accommodate people.

Bitcoin is growing, we are expanding and seeing different people see with their own meaning but one thing still remain about Bitcoin, it will remain decentralized and censorship resistant for as long as the network stay live, any other meaning to it will come from what people want to do with it. People see Bitcoin as asset, some see Bitcoin as means of payment, some people see it as way to make investment, some people improved it to Defi, expect many more from people.

[Zaguru12]

Bitcoin is growing, we are expanding and seeing different people see with their own meaning but one thing still remain about Bitcoin, it will remain decentralized and censorship resistant for as long as the network stay live, any other meaning to it will come from what people want to do with it. People see Bitcoin as asset, some see Bitcoin as means of payment, some people see it as way to make investment, some people improved it to Defi, expect many more from people.

I think when people actually read about bitcoin been decentralized they do not generalize it, bitcoin is decentralized in such a way that it’s not network is censorship resistant, the bitcoin price isn’t calculated plus the choice of what you decide to use your bitcoin as is not controlled but depends on your, if it fits you using it as an asset perfect, if it is a currency also perfect. Even the anonymity of the chain depends on you.

One thing is clear to any monetary or financial situation bitcoin is always a perfect alternative if that traditional method doesn’t stands well with you. Yes it was first introduced as a currency but was never restricted to be that alone