not so early (relative i guess) i heard about it in 2015, even read a book by andreas. spoke to some OGs but, as many claim, i didnt have money for it (expensive at 350usd a coin, didnt really know i can buy a fraction) i wait 5 years once i had my life in order. using 4chan/biz i went hard into eth and other shitcoins. i tell ppl, dont make my mistake, figure it out fast
Discussion
a big point that i recall that lead to my dismissal of bitcoin as not safe: I didnt know u can put a seed on metal plates. i didnt understand what a seed even was. i was asking early innovators about cold wallets (they didnt describe back ups like seed phrases etc.) i basically understood hard wallets exist, but if destroyed, coins r gone.
that was MY mistake in not probing further on my own. very large regret, but i have children instead as my cost of opperunity , and a wife that i remain faithful to, till my dying breath. (she thinks i spam btc too much, so were working in that)