9 Years Since “Buy Bitcoin” at the Fed

[Alex077]

Nine years ago today, on July 12, 2017, during Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, 22-year-old intern Christian Langalis held up a cardboard sign behind her that simply read, "Buy Bitcoin." From that moment on, he became known as the legendary "Bitcoin Sign Guy."
At the time of the hearing, Bitcoin was trading at around $2,320.
Interestingly, Langalis was quickly escorted out of the hearing, but before that he had written his Bitcoin wallet address on the sign.
The crypto community appreciated the gesture and sent him more than 7 BTC as a reward for taking the risk.

It's still considered one of the most memorable moments in Bitcoin's history. Even more incredible, the original "Buy Bitcoin" sign sold at auction in 2024 for 16 BTC, which was worth around $1.03 million at the time.

   

[dzungmobile]

Nine years ago today, on July 12, 2017, during Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, 22-year-old intern Christian Langalis held up a cardboard sign behind her that simply read, "Buy Bitcoin." From that moment on, he became known as the legendary "Bitcoin Sign Guy."
At the time of the hearing, Bitcoin was trading at around $2,320.
  

I remembered this and yesterday, there are people reminded about it in this forum already.

I wonder that after years, has Janet Yellen already bought bitcoins?
Honestly I don't follow what she did as it is not important with me, but if anyone knows please share. It's interesting if Janet Yellen with time has become a Bitcoiner.

I am not shocked if she changed herself this way but not sure about what's happened since 2017 with her. Saylor changed and become a Bitcoin maximalist so there is similar chance for Janet's changes.

[Chinesebaby]

Nine years ago today, on July 12, 2017, during Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, 22-year-old intern Christian Langalis held up a cardboard sign behind her that simply read, "Buy Bitcoin." From that moment on, he became known as the legendary "Bitcoin Sign Guy."
At the time of the hearing, Bitcoin was trading at around $2,320.

This is indeed another reason why we need to keep trusting Bitcoin every day, because I'm literally just wondering how will those people who sent "Christian Langali" out of the conference hall for raising up a "Buy Bitcoin" sign behind the Federal Reserve Chair "Janet Yellen" will be feeling right now that Bitcoin have skyrocketed far more than what it was 9years ago in 2017 when Bitcoin was been valued around $2,320. Because I'm very very sure that they will all be regretting right now that they had the opportunity to change their life by investing in Bitcoin when it was very cheap, but yet they all messed up by thinking it was not worth anything. And the raw truth right now is that just as some people never trusted Bitcoin many years ago to be this valuable, that's how some people today are thinking maybe it's too late to invest in it. Not knowing that it's value will keep on skyrocketing.

[Marykeller]

It is interesting to see how a 22-year-old Christian Langalis had the boldness to think of writing "buy Bitcoin" in a cardboard sign during a live testimony of Janet Yellen on live TV.

Nobody saw it coming that Bitcoin would be promoted by someone in such a manner in a live broadcast. The surprising thing about this, is what has been regarded as not necessary to promote at that time in 2017, is what countries, firms, and individuals globally are longing to invest in heavily.

[Alphakilo]

I never heard of this story till now and it's more inspiring than Trump openly pledging his support for Bitcoin as a political agenda and going behind to launch his own coin just for selfish reasons.
What Langalis did was nothing short of a calm and subtle guerrilla marketing campaign stunt that not only is a historical story, but also because he did it without any political agenda or selfish reasons but in the end, he earned much more money in terms of donations and a name in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

 

[Ayers]

Nine years ago today, on July 12, 2017, during Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, 22-year-old intern Christian Langalis held up a cardboard sign behind her that simply read, "Buy Bitcoin." From that moment on, he became known as the legendary "Bitcoin Sign Guy."
At the time of the hearing, Bitcoin was trading at around $2,320.
Interestingly, Langalis was quickly escorted out of the hearing, but before that he had written his Bitcoin wallet address on the sign.

It was actually one of the best and most effective marketing in Bitcoin history.
And one of the best financial messages I've ever seen.

You know what's even crazier? It didn't require a million dollar budget or corporate campaign.
Christian Langalis held up the paper with those two words written on it at the perfect moment.
It's thrilling to imagine the situation, standing right behind the representatives of the traditional monetary system and doing this.

The crypto community appreciated the gesture and sent him more than 7 BTC as a reward for taking the risk.

We saw again how Bitcoiners, without any central organization, are always ready to reward people's honesty and courage.

It's still considered one of the most memorable moments in Bitcoin's history. Even more incredible, the original "Buy Bitcoin" sign sold at auction in 2024 for 16 BTC, which was worth around $1.03 million at the time.

Do you know that the money was not just cashed out, but given to the Bitcoin software development fund?

[Alex077]

Nine years ago today, on July 12, 2017, during Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, 22-year-old intern Christian Langalis held up a cardboard sign behind her that simply read, "Buy Bitcoin." From that moment on, he became known as the legendary "Bitcoin Sign Guy."

Do you know that the money was not just cashed out, but given to the Bitcoin software development fund?

That's actually a really interesting piece of information-I didn't know that. I looked into it a little more and found out that, even before the auction, Langalis said the proceeds would go toward his startup, Tirrel Corp.
Once the sign sold for 16 BTC, he said the money would go toward Bitcoin Layer-2 development and growing Tirrel Corp., which develops software and infrastructure for the Bitcoin and Lightning ecosystem. So the money didn't go to a public Bitcoin development fund like OpenSats, instead. It went into his own startup. So even though it funded his own company, the end goal was still to make the Bitcoin ecosystem stronger.

[m2017]

Nine years ago today, on July 12, 2017, during Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, 22-year-old intern Christian Langalis held up a cardboard sign behind her that simply read, "Buy Bitcoin." From that moment on, he became known as the legendary "Bitcoin Sign Guy."

Why doesn't the BTC-community celebrate this event with some kind of flash mob event? Next year in honor of the tenth anniversary of the event?

At the time of the hearing, Bitcoin was trading at around $2,320

Ah, those were the good old days... And yet, back then, bitcoin seemed so expensive. It's funny to think about it now.

Interestingly, Langalis was quickly escorted out of the hearing, but before that he had written his Bitcoin wallet address on the sign.

A resourceful guy. With a good memory (or with pre-prepared bitcoin address). But how many of you can memorize your bitcoin address?

The crypto community appreciated the gesture and sent him more than 7 BTC as a reward for taking the risk.

A very, very good donation. By the way, how did his career turn out in the end?

It's still considered one of the most memorable moments in Bitcoin's history.

Even eclipsing the BTC-pizza story?

Even more incredible, the original "Buy Bitcoin" sign sold at auction in 2024 for 16 BTC, which was worth around $1.03 million at the time.

Collectors have their own quirks, not entirely clear to others.

[AmoreJaz]

It is interesting to see how a 22-year-old Christian Langalis had the boldness to think of writing "buy Bitcoin" in a cardboard sign during a live testimony of Janet Yellen on live TV.

Nobody saw it coming that Bitcoin would be promoted by someone in such a manner in a live broadcast. The surprising thing about this, is what has been regarded as not necessary to promote at that time in 2017, is what countries, firms, and individuals globally are longing to invest in heavily.

You can really say that unexpected actions can generate a viral image and can fetch a very good movement. And that was shown here in a live telecast. No expensive ads, no big names atrached to it. But a regular person promoting what he believes in.

[pooya87]

Even more incredible, the original "Buy Bitcoin" sign sold at auction in 2024 for 16 BTC, which was worth around $1.03 million at the time.

Seriously? I didn't know this. Man people are crazy, they pay so much money for such garbage that it is unbelievable. Maybe he should pay me a fee since I wore this image as an avatar back then for a long time...

But jokes aside, the long term potential of bitcoin has always been fantastic. And I remember telling people exactly that back then too and some of them didn't want to listen and continued believing the propaganda just because there was a little dip. I guess now that price is 30x higher they learn that the hard way.

This is also another sign of the failing economy and dumping fiat. In other words it is not just bitcoin that is going up in value, it is fiat that is dumping and being abandoned...

[OgNasty]

I miss exciting things like this happening. Now we just have suits trying to take everyone’s money. Bitcoin sure has changed since this event happened. It was a hell of a ride. I’m glad I took it, although if I had it to do over again I probably would have never joined this forum. Oh well… It was fun in the heyday.

[HajiBagi]

I never heard of this story till now and it's more inspiring than Trump openly pledging his support for Bitcoin as a political agenda and going behind to launch his own coin just for selfish reasons.
What Langalis did was nothing short of a calm and subtle guerrilla marketing campaign stunt that not only is a historical story, but also because he did it without any political agenda or selfish reasons but in the end, he earned much more money in terms of donations and a name in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
 

He will always remember as one of the individuals that made Bitcoin to be recognised in some countries because some people will see bitcoin from the first time he made that shows on the camera and some might even think he don’t know what he is doing and will not think about it, those who saw him in that year will see as someone who knows what he is doing and believe in bitcoin, maybe he might even get punished in the process because he did that in a place where they are talking about another thing but today he will be seeing as one of the people that want a good life for the people. At that time bitcoin is still at low price that many people can afford and those who bought bitcoin since then will never regret following his idea.

[aoluain]

I have seen that image many times before but I never knew the story behind it or the guys
name - Christian Langalis.

TBH I had a suspicion that the image was a 'photoshop' job, I didnt fully believe it was real.

Anyway I think Christian took a fair risk holding up that sign for millions to see, a kind of
revolutionary thing to do perhaps. He certainly made a name for himself.

[CryptoYar]

One of truly famous moments in Bitcoin history and timing could not be better. That is kind of image that captures whole Bitcoin vs central banking thing all by itself, Janet Yellen representing  old money system and 22 year old holding that sign right behind her.
Community quickly sent him 7 BTC just because of this action, which is proof of how early Bitcoin culture worked. Rewarding bravery and right message with real Bitcoin and not just likes and retweets.
16 BTC for physical sign in 2024 is also fitting ending to story. Piece of cardboard showing two words came to be worth more than one million dollars due to the importance of those words at the time. This sign was correct 9 years later. As usual.

[Freeveto]

It is interesting to see how a 22-year-old Christian Langalis had the boldness to think of writing "buy Bitcoin" in a cardboard sign during a live testimony of Janet Yellen on live TV.

Nobody saw it coming that Bitcoin would be promoted by someone in such a manner in a live broadcast. The surprising thing about this, is what has been regarded as not necessary to promote at that time in 2017, is what countries, firms, and individuals globally are longing to invest in heavily.

That gesture from Christian Langalis will be what influenced so many people. I can see the risk he took to pull out the cardboard; it was a good promotion, I must say, and I think so many people will be surprised with that and can, as a result of that gesture, invest in Bitcoin.
Bitcoin investors from 2017 would have made a good profit by now; the price wasn't above $3k then, but now the price is around $65k. You can see the price difference and how far the price of Bitcoin has gone and how far it will go in the future; therefore, he needs to be appreciated for raising up that cardboard to wake some of the investors up to buy Bitcoin.

[purple_sparkles]

Nine years ago today, on July 12, 2017, during Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, 22-year-old intern Christian Langalis held up a cardboard sign behind her that simply read, "Buy Bitcoin." From that moment on, he became known as the legendary "Bitcoin Sign Guy."
At the time of the hearing, Bitcoin was trading at around $2,320.
Interestingly, Langalis was quickly escorted out of the hearing, but before that he had written his Bitcoin wallet address on the sign.
The crypto community appreciated the gesture and sent him more than 7 BTC as a reward for taking the risk.

It's still considered one of the most memorable moments in Bitcoin's history. Even more incredible, the original "Buy Bitcoin" sign sold at auction in 2024 for 16 BTC, which was worth around $1.03 million at the time.

It's a shame that I didn't respond to an opportunity like that nine years ago. At the time, I associated bitcoin with something like a financial pyramid scheme. I would have been very grateful if someone had taken the time to explain it to me and strongly encouraged me to buy bitcoin when it was around $2,320. Unfortunately, I didn't have anyone like that in my circle back then.

[ultrloa]

Nine years ago today, on July 12, 2017, during Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, 22-year-old intern Christian Langalis held up a cardboard sign behind her that simply read, "Buy Bitcoin." From that moment on, he became known as the legendary "Bitcoin Sign Guy."
At the time of the hearing, Bitcoin was trading at around $2,320.
Interestingly, Langalis was quickly escorted out of the hearing, but before that he had written his Bitcoin wallet address on the sign.
The crypto community appreciated the gesture and sent him more than 7 BTC as a reward for taking the risk.

It's still considered one of the most memorable moments in Bitcoin's history. Even more incredible, the original "Buy Bitcoin" sign sold at auction in 2024 for 16 BTC, which was worth around $1.03 million at the time.

It's a shame that I didn't respond to an opportunity like that nine years ago. At the time, I associated bitcoin with something like a financial pyramid scheme. I would have been very grateful if someone had taken the time to explain it to me and strongly encouraged me to buy bitcoin when it was around $2,320. Unfortunately, I didn't have anyone like that in my circle back then.

This regrets would really came after we see a good result on something that we used to doubts before. But actually its still good that you are still here investing on Bitcoin. You can still ride on this current prices and maybe who knows in future Bitcoin will stay on 6 digits in figures.

So instead of continuing having those regrets from the past. Much better to do your thing and take action now. Bitcoin still have lots of potential, those adoption and good bill for legal acceptance of Bitcoin indicates that Bitcoin will became a big thing in future.

[Darker45]

Langalis was kicked out of the hearing. Just 5 months later, he wasn't only right, he even seemed prophetic. Bitcoin grew by at least 760%.

I wonder if there was indeed somebody who got curious because of his sign, searched online for what it was, and took his advice.

More interestingly, I wonder if the one who called security for his removal had a clue what Bitcoin was, or if he/she also got curious what that unsanctioned sign on a yellow pad was all about. Perhaps there were a number of people who got serendipitously introduced to Bitcoin during that hearing because of Christian.

[Zlantann]

I miss exciting things like this happening. Now we just have suits trying to take everyone’s money. Bitcoin sure has changed since this event happened. It was a hell of a ride. I’m glad I took it, although if I had it to do over again I probably would have never joined this forum. Oh well… It was fun in the heyday.

This was an uncommon feat by such a young man. He didn't care about the consequences of his actions. This action could ruin his career, but he didn't give a damn. I never saw this picture until I joined this forum, and I doubt I would have taken Christian Langalis' advice. During this time, there was a high rate of crypto scams in my country. This made me avoid investing in any cryptocurrency. I never knew Bitcoin was different.

[Hatchy]

Ah, those were the good old days... And yet, back then, bitcoin seemed so expensive. It's funny to think about it now.

history would always repeat it self. It was expensive then, it will be expensive now and in the future. The cycle never gets old. People refuse to make use of opportunities not until it's too late. The more you tell yourself to wait the less time you have at hand.

A resourceful guy. With a good memory (or with pre-prepared bitcoin address). But how many of you can memorize your bitcoin address?

Lol, I'm not sure he actually memorized it probably wrote it down prepared for the event already.. I have many addresses I used for different activities so memorising them is like filling a bracket with water( I'm not saying I have an empty brain ). Its just illogical because you might end up mixing the words leading to lose of funds. It's better to find them when needed and copy paste..

A very, very good donation. By the way, how did his career turn out in the end?

From what I read he is still doing fine since then. He didn't get any legal complications after the event at the meeting. His courage that day made him a fortune as an intern. I'm sure he never thought things would have turned out the way it went neither did he have such in mind. These kind of things should motivate more guys like him who are into the crypto space to share the word of bitcoin to someone today.