It was 2013 when my old college friend, Jake, first mentioned Bitcoin during a late-night chat over coffee. Skeptical yet intrigued, I brushed it off as another one of Jake's tech obsessions. Fast forward to 2017, and Jake invited me to his new penthouse to celebrate his latest venture. The once-barely-affording-rent Jake had transformed into a savvy investor, all thanks to his early adoption of Bitcoin. As I marveled at his success, he handed me a flash drive. "Consider this a late introduction to the world of cryptocurrencies," he said with a grin. That night, I didn't just gain a financial asset; I gained a lesson in foresight and risk-taking.