Back in 2013, my friend Alex stumbled upon Bitcoin while browsing a tech forum. Intrigued by the concept of decentralized currency, he decided to invest a modest sum of $100, buying around 10 Bitcoins at $10 each. At parties, he’d joke about his "magic internet money," and most people would laugh or roll their eyes. Fast forward to late 2017, and Bitcoin's value skyrocketed to nearly $20,000. Alex's initial $100 investment had ballooned to nearly $200,000. Suddenly, those jokes turned into serious inquiries. Alex cashed out a portion to buy a new car and put a down payment on a house. Though the market has had its ups and downs since, Alex's story serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of cryptocurrencies and the potential for life-changing returns.