🗣️ Back to basics: why “hard money” keeps coming up in crypto

Early builders like Charlie Lee often repeat a simple idea: in the long run, money that’s scarce, open, and easy to verify beats money that needs trust in middlemen. That’s a big reason people care about Bitcoin. You can check the rules yourself. You don’t need a bank or company to say, “Yes, this exists.”

But there’s a trap to watch out for. Big players love the word “crypto,” but some try to keep the old setup—custodial choke points, hidden rehypothecation (lending out your assets behind the scenes), and rules you don’t vote on. It can look modern on the outside and still be the same gatekeeping on the inside.

So here’s the question: will crypto become freedom tech or just a new brand for the same old system?

You have more power than you think. First, hold your own keys for the savings you truly care about. That means a wallet where you control the recovery phrase. Test with tiny amounts until you’re comfortable. Second, learn to verify—run a node if you can, or at least use tools that let you check supply, fees, and transactions. Third, pick projects that minimize trust. If a coin needs a dozen companies to keep it alive, that’s a risk. If a platform blocks withdrawals when markets get spicy, that’s a sign.

Teach others the basics: never share seed words, double-check addresses, and don’t chase hype with rent money. Explain the difference between bearer assets (you hold it, you own it) and IOUs (a company promises you have it). And remember, it’s okay to keep some exposure in simple products if that fits your plan—just don’t confuse a price tracker with owning coins.

In the end, the point isn’t to worship any one founder or chain. It’s to build habits that keep your money yours: learn, verify, self-custody, and think long term.

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