Back in 2017, my friend Jake excitedly told me he'd invested in Bitcoin. At the time, I was skeptical; it sounded like digital Monopoly money to me. Fast forward to 2021, and Jake's modest investment had ballooned into a small fortune. One evening, over beers, he recounted the rollercoaster of emotions he'd experienced: the thrill of Bitcoin hitting $20,000, the anxiety as it plummeted, and the joy of its resurgence. His story made me realize that cryptocurrencies, for better or worse, had become a significant part of our financial landscape. Jake's adventure in the crypto world turned out to be more than just a savvy investment—it was a lesson in risk, reward, and the unpredictable nature of innovation.