The freedom formula: David Bailey on Bitcoin, Belief, and Building Tomorrow's Finance

Introduction

Today’s interview is about David Bailey, Co-founder & CEO of BTC, Inc., whose journey in the blockchain started in quite an interesting way. As the co-founder and chief executive officer of BTC Inc., David Bailey is an industry leader and evangelist for the decentralized future. Since 2013, BTC Inc has grown to offer critical intelligence, brand-building expertise and technical incubation specialized for the Bitcoin ecosystem, as well as industry-leading projects like Bitcoin Magazine, the Bitcoin 2022 conference, and Carrot. As Bitcoin reshapes views on money and freedom, Bailey’s story is about more than just digital currency.

You've been a key figure in the Bitcoin space for a while now. Let’s start with your journey. What initially drew you to the world of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, and how did you get started in this field?

When I was in college, my buddy showed me this Bitcoin thing. I immediately thought it was a scam. I spent about 2 solid weeks deep-diving into it to prove to my buddy that it was a scam. After 2 weeks I realized that it in fact was not a scam and that it could actually be a world-shifting invention. At that point, I went all-in on it, started my company, and haven’t looked back.

That’s a powerful shift. With all the noise in the space, what do you think is the biggest misconception people have about Bitcoin?

I think the number 1 driver of misunderstandings about Bitcoin is that people still believe it’s worthless. All of their misgivings about Bitcoin are derived from this fundamental misunderstanding. There are over 100 million people around the world storing their wealth, transacting, and valuing the world in Bitcoin. Currently, 1 Bitcoin is valued at $73 thousand. That is because of its fundamental ability to store and move value permissionless over the internet, outside of the constraints of the existing financial system.

Where do you see the cryptocurrency industry heading in the next five to ten years, especially with all the discussions around regulations and mainstream adoption?

Bitcoin will become the most valuable asset in the world. The people, companies and countries who adopt it will become the most influential of the next century.

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For someone just getting started, what advice would you give to a new investors entering the Bitcoin market? Are there any common mistakes they should be mindful of?

First off, avoid the noise. There’s always going to be hype around other projects, but stick to Bitcoin. There is no Bitcoin 2.0. There is no second best. If you want to learn more about Bitcoin, read Bitcoin Magazine, or attend the Bitcoin 2025 Conference.

Your long-term commitment to holding Bitcoin, even through its ups and downs, is really impressive. What keeps you so motivated to stick with it?

For me, it’s about inevitability. I genuinely believe that personal freedom and sovereignty are things we all want, not just for ourselves but for our children too. And I don’t see any other path forward that can deliver that, other than Bitcoin. It’s not just about financial gain; it’s about building a future where individuals can be truly independent and free. Bitcoin is the the only tool I see that makes that kind of future possible. So yes, the price may fluctuate, but that doesn’t shake my belief in what Bitcoin stands for.

That sense of purpose is clear. Shifting gears, what upcoming projects or initiatives at BTC Inc. are you most excited about right now?

We’ve got so much happening, it’s hard to pick just one! Our Bitcoin for Corporations program is a big one. We’ve put a lot of effort into educating institutions about Bitcoin, and we’re seeing some real momentum there. But what I’m really excited about is taking our events global. We’re expanding to MENA later this year, and next year we’ll be in Las Vegas. That one is going to be epic—probably the biggest conference we’ve ever had. The energy around these events just keeps building, and I think 2024 and especially 2025 is going to be massive for Bitcoin.

Speaking of events, what can attendees expect from your upcoming conferences?

Expect to be blown away! We’re stepping it up every time. Our goal is to deliver more than just another Bitcoin meetup—we want to create a platform where real, hard discussions and proposals can take place. It’s a space for Bitcoiners, but also for people who want to push the conversation forward. We’re constantly working to enhance the attendee experience, and we want to make sure these events are the best anyone has ever been to. I want people to leave feeling like they were part of something special—part of this wild, early adopter movement that’s shaping the future.