Читать книгу Bitcoin Hamster. How to succeed in cryptocurrencies - - Страница 4

“There was a time when you should have bought Bitcoin back in 2010. Now it’s already too late.”

“I live in a country with few opportunities. We’re not used to taking risks here, let alone believing in some kind of virtual money.”

“We were never rich – why start now, as they say? Besides, it’s all a scam. A bubble. Pure speculation.”

“Now it’s definitely too late – whoever made it, made it. The rest will just keep living as they used to. Not meant to be.”

But all of this isn’t a set of reasons – it’s a set of convenient excuses. Everyone had work, family, loans. Everyone had fear and confusion. Everyone had slow internet and doubts. But some people, despite all that, still tried. They made mistakes, learned, lost money, but kept moving forward. Yes, it would be great to go back with the knowledge we have now. But what’s far more important is not to get stuck in the past – it’s to look at what you can do today. Because new opportunities haven’t disappeared. They’ve simply changed their form. Were you not born rich? All the more reason to start – that’s exactly why you have something to strive for. Because if you don’t start, no one will start for you. And then, ten years from now, you’ll say again: “I should’ve done it back in 2025…”

Never in history have there been so many ways to build wealth – and more importantly, never has there been such a need for it as there is today. Prices rise faster than salaries. Currencies lose value, and stability has become an illusion. Being just “fine” is no longer enough – it’s a risk. An emergency fund isn’t a luxury; it’s a condition for survival. We live in a time when knowledge, reaction speed, and adaptability have become the main currencies. The world has gone digital, borders have become symbolic, and wealth is now made not by those with the best starting position, but by those who adapt the fastest. Becoming wealthy is no longer about yachts and villas. It’s about freedom – the freedom to live without fear, to choose where and how to work, what to do, and where your children grow up. It’s not just a goal – it’s a way to protect yourself from chaos.

Throughout human history, there have been certain periods when individuals or groups could rapidly build wealth thanks to shifts in the economy, technology, discoveries, and social change.

Here are the key historical stages when this was especially possible:

1. The Age of Discovery (15th—17th centuries)

During this period, European states began actively exploring new sea routes and lands beyond Europe. The reasons varied – the search for new trade routes, the extraction of rare goods, and the expansion of influence and territories.

Why was it possible to get rich quickly?

Discovery of new lands and resources. In the Americas, Africa, and Asia, huge deposits of gold, silver, precious stones, and other valuable resources were found. New lands made it possible to create plantations where spices, sugar, and tobacco were grown – goods that were extremely expensive in Europe.

Monopoly on trade in rare goods. Portugal and Spain received exclusive rights to trade with their new colonies. Control over spices (such as cloves and nutmeg) ensured enormous profits.

Slavery and exploitation. The slave trade provided cheap labor for plantations, significantly increasing the income of colonizers. The triangular trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas was an extremely profitable business.

Treasures from the conquistadors. Spanish conquistadors conquered civilizations (the Aztecs, the Incas), seizing gold and silver. Huge flows of precious metals from the New World entered Europe, creating fortunes and strengthening the economies of the mother countries.

Growth of trade and the banking system. With the development of maritime trade came new financial instruments: shares of trading companies, and the financing of expeditions. Merchants who invested in expeditions could receive enormous profits.

Key figures and examples:

Christopher Columbus (Italy/Spain) – discovered America in 1492, initiating Spain’s enrichment.

Ferdinand Magellan (Portugal/Spain) – organized the first circumnavigation of the globe (1519—1522), opening new sea routes.

Hernán Cortés – conquered the Aztec Empire (Mexico), appropriating a vast amount of gold.

Francisco Pizarro – conquered the Inca Empire in South America, bringing immense wealth to the Spanish crown.

Portuguese navigators – opened the sea route to India around Africa, securing control over the spice trade.

Trading companies, such as the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and the English East India Company, became powerful trade monopolies with their own armies and fleets.

What were the mechanisms of rapid enrichment?

Successful expeditions and conquests – individuals who financed or led expeditions received a share of the loot.

Monopoly on trade – control over the supply of rare goods allowed for high prices.

Slave trade – cheap labor increased the profitability of plantations and resource extraction.

Investments in ships and expeditions – risky but potentially highly profitable ventures.

Risks and limitations:

Expeditions were expensive and dangerous – many ships sank and crews died. Political conflicts between countries often shifted the balance of power. Colonial wars and uprisings could lead to the loss of wealth and influence.

2. The Industrial Revolution (18th—19th centuries)

This was a period of large-scale economic, technological, and social transformation that began in Great Britain in the 18th century and spread across the world in the 19th century. The main change was the introduction of machine-based production instead of manual labor.

Why was it possible to get rich quickly at that time?

The emergence and development of new technologies. The steam engine (such as James Watt’s version) made it possible to sharply increase the productivity of factories and transportation. Looms, spinning machines, and new metallurgical technologies were invented.

The development of railways, steamships, and the telegraph significantly accelerated the delivery of goods and the flow of information.

Growth of factories and plants. Mass production reduced the cost of goods, which expanded markets.

Industrialization created high demand for capital and investment. People invested money in enterprises and received large profits.

Financial markets developed. The creation of joint-stock companies enabled more people to participate in business. Banks became more active in lending to industrialists.

Increase in urban population and labor force. Cheap labor increased factory profits.

As production grew, so did the demand for goods both within countries and abroad. Colonies became markets for products and sources of raw materials.

Who could get rich, and how?

Industrialists and entrepreneurs – people who opened or bought factories, plants, and mines.

Example: Andrew Carnegie (steel production in the USA), John D. Rockefeller (oil).

Investors and bankers – those who invested capital in new technologies and enterprises and received dividends.

Examples: the Morgan and Rothschild families – financiers who profited from industrialization.

Merchants and owners of transport companies – owners of railways, steamships, and freight transport businesses.

Inventors and engineers – those who patented new machines and technologies and could sell licenses.

Examples of wealth:

Andrew Carnegie – born in Scotland, emigrated to the USA, and built one of the largest steel companies. His fortune resulted from implementing advanced technologies and aggressive management.

John Rockefeller – founder of the Standard Oil Company. He controlled about 90% of the U.S. oil industry, creating the first true oil monopoly.

James Watt – improved the steam engine, turning it into a widespread industrial power source.

Why was this period risky but profitable?

Large capital investments required substantial initial resources. Competition was intense, and new technologies became obsolete quickly. Labor conflicts, strikes, and social problems also posed risks to businesses.

The Industrial Revolution created conditions for rapid capital accumulation for those who knew how to: invest in innovative technologies, create or expand large-scale production, use new markets and resources, and organize efficient management and logistics.

3. The Gold Rush (19th Century)

The Gold Rush was a period of mass migration to areas where large deposits of gold or other precious metals had been discovered. The 19th century saw several such waves, each generating immense hopes for rapid enrichment.

Major Gold Rushes of the 19th Century:

California Gold Rush (1848—1855). It began after the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill (California). It attracted hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world.

Australian Gold Rush (1851—1860s). Discoveries in Victoria and New South Wales brought an influx of migrants and rapid economic growth in Australia.

Klondike Gold Rush (1896—1899). It unfolded in the Klondike River region (Canada). It caused a rapid but challenging population increase and an economic boom.

South African Mining Rush (including diamonds). Discoveries in the Kimberley region and other areas spurred the development of the mining industry.

Why was it possible to get rich quickly?

Low entry barrier. Gold mining often required little initial investment – just a shovel, a pan, and luck. Many prospectors started from nothing and quickly grew wealthy.

High price of gold. Gold was always valuable and easy to sell.

Sharp rise in demand for goods and services. Settlements quickly sprang up in gold rush regions, with shops, banks, hotels, and transportation services. People who supplied tools and services to prospectors also became wealthy.

Speculation on land and equipment. Land in gold-bearing areas increased sharply in value. Selling or renting equipment brought high profits.

Who became rich during the Gold Rush?

Successful prospectors. Those who struck rich gold veins.

Entrepreneurs and merchants: sellers of equipment, food, alcohol, and real estate.

Example: Levi Strauss, who began selling durable jeans for prospectors.

Owners of mines and claims. Those who obtained mining rights and hired workers.

Investors. People who funded the development of large deposits.

Examples of success stories:

Levi Strauss – a German immigrant who founded a business producing durable trousers (jeans) for prospectors.

John Sutter – the landowner on whose property gold was discovered, initiating the California Gold Rush.

Risks and hardships:

Most prospectors did not become wealthy – many were left with nothing. Harsh natural conditions, disease, and lack of infrastructure were common. Conflicts over land and resources, along with high crime levels, were widespread. Deposits were quickly exhausted – gold was not endless.

The Gold Rush was a chance to get rich quickly, relying on luck, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit. It was also a time of rapid economic growth in the affected regions and the development of new towns and infrastructure.

4. Industrialization of the United States and the “Era of the Robber Barons” (late 19th – early 20th century)

The “Era of the Robber Barons” is an unofficial name for the period of rapid economic growth in the United States from the 1870s to the early 20th century. During this time, huge corporations and monopolies emerged, and entrepreneurs who accumulated immense wealth were called “Robber Barons” due to their harsh and often ruthless business practices.

Why was it possible to get rich quickly?

Rapid industrial growth.

The United States was undergoing intense industrialization – steel, oil, and railroads were developing rapidly, as were the steelmaking and petroleum industries. New technologies and organizational methods made it possible to drastically increase production.

Expansion of the railway network.

Railroads became the “arteries” of the economy, connecting the eastern and western parts of the country. Control over railroads provided enormous economic and political advantages.

Business consolidation and the creation of monopolies.

Large entrepreneurs bought out competitors or made agreements with them, gaining control over entire industries. This allowed them to set prices and maximize profits.

Low taxes and weak regulation.

The government intervened very little in business activities at the time, which allowed the “Robber Barons” to freely manipulate the market.

Who were the “Robber Barons”?

Andrew Carnegie – steel empire

John D. Rockefeller – Standard Oil petroleum monopoly

Cornelius Vanderbilt – railroads and steamboats

J. P. Morgan – financier and banker, creator of major industrial conglomerates

James J. Hill – railroad magnate

How exactly did they get rich?

Monopolization of industries.

Rockefeller controlled almost the entire U.S. oil market. Carnegie introduced innovations in steel production and reduced costs.

Vertical and horizontal integration.

Vertical integration: control over all stages of production (e.g., raw materials, manufacturing, distribution).

Horizontal integration: buying up competitors to eliminate competition.

Market manipulation and political lobbying.

They secured favorable contracts, drove competitors out through price dumping, and influenced laws and politics to their advantage.

Use of cheap labor. Exploitation of workers, long hours, and low wages increased profits.

Impact on society and the economy

Stimulated economic growth and industrialization

Created giant corporations and the first multinational companies

Increased social inequality – the gap between the very rich and the very poor grew

Led to the rise of the first labor unions and workers’ rights movements

The Era of the “Robber Barons” was a time of enormous opportunities for wealth but also a period of fierce competition, lack of social protections, and widespread corruption. It was during this period that modern American industrial capitalism took shape.

5. After World War II (1945—1960s)

World War II ended in 1945, and the world faced a massive challenge – rebuilding devastated economies. Growth was especially strong in the United States and Western Europe. This period is often called the “Golden Age of Capitalism,” marked by powerful economic expansion and rising living standards.

Why was it possible to get rich quickly?

Economic recovery and growth in countries affected by World War II.

Reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure and industry. Growth in industrial production, agriculture, and the service sector.

Technological progress and innovation.

Active implementation of new technologies derived from military research (aviation, electronics, chemistry).

Development of mass production and automation.

Growth of consumer demand.

A mass consumer market emerged: cars, household appliances, housing. Rising incomes fueled demand.

In the United States, the Marshall Plan helped rebuild Europe, creating new markets. Millions of people rose out of poverty and gained stable jobs and income. This created a new class of consumers and workers.

Who could get rich and how?

Entrepreneurs and business owners.

Companies producing cars (Ford, General Motors), household appliances, building materials.

Construction and real estate developers, driven by a boom in housing construction.

Investors and shareholders.

People who invested in rapidly growing companies and the stock market.

Engineers and inventors.

Creators of new technologies and products that captured the market.

Financiers and bankers.

Lending to businesses and individuals, expansion of the mortgage market.

Key features of the period:

Relative economic stability, increased social mobility, strong government regulation and social programs (insurance, pensions).

The post – World War II period was a time of stable and rapid economic growth, when people could become wealthy thanks to industrial expansion, new technologies, and rising consumer demand. It was one of the most favorable periods for business in the 20th century.

6. Technological Boom (1990—2000) – The Dotcom Era

The Dotcom Era was a period of rapid growth for internet companies and technologies, especially from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. The internet began to penetrate the lives of millions of people, and the first mass web services, online stores, and platforms emerged.

Why could people get rich quickly?

Explosive growth of the internet. The internet became accessible to the general public. New business opportunities emerged: e-commerce, online advertising, digital services.

Rapid increase in internet company valuations. Dotcom company stocks surged in price, even without sustainable profits. Investors poured money in, hoping for quick growth and high returns.

Easy access to venture capital. Venture funds actively financed internet-themed startups. Young companies received large investments for development and scaling.

Creation of new business models. Platforms for e-commerce appeared (Amazon, eBay). Search engines were launched (Yahoo, Google), as well as internet service providers and online services.

Initial public offerings (IPOs). Many startups quickly went public, allowing founders and investors to get rich almost instantly.

Who got rich? Founders and investors of internet companies: Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Peter Thiel (PayPal), Sergey Brin and Larry Page (Google). Funds that invested in the right projects. Traders on the stock market. Speculating on dotcom stocks brought huge profits.

Risks and the dotcom crisis:

The collapse of the dotcom bubble in 2000—2002. Many companies turned out to be unprofitable and closed, and investors lost billions of dollars. But for those who invested in the right projects (Google, Amazon), the Dotcom Era became the start of immense wealth.

The Dotcom Era was a period of incredible growth and opportunity, when rapid wealth was possible through innovation, investment, and going public. It was a time that showed how new technologies can transform the economy and create new market leaders.

7. The Cryptocurrency Boom (to this day)

The cryptocurrency boom is the rapid rise in popularity and value of digital currencies, starting with the emergence of Bitcoin in 2009 and continuing to the present day. This market is characterized by high volatility, innovation, and opportunities for significant profits.

Why could one get rich quickly?

The emergence of Bitcoin (2009): The first decentralized cryptocurrency, opening a new era of financial technology. The opportunity to buy bitcoins early at very low prices. The growth in cryptocurrency values. Increasing interest from institutional and private investors.

Development of blockchain technologies and DeFi: The introduction of smart contracts (Ethereum, etc.) and decentralized financial applications.

Opportunities for passive income through staking, farming, and lending.

ICOs and token sales: Mass initial coin offerings (ICOs) allowed buying new tokens at their launch.

The rise of NFTs and the metaverse: Digital collectibles and virtual assets opened new paths to earning.

Who got rich?

Early investors in Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Founders of crypto projects.

Creators of new blockchain platforms and applications.

Traders and speculators.

Users who entered and exited the market wisely.

Venture capital investors who backed promising projects early.

Risks and problems:

High volatility – huge price swings.

Regulatory risks and uncertainty across different countries.

Scams and fraudulent projects.

Technical risks and security issues.

The cryptocurrency boom is not just another trend. It is a modern era of change, comparable to the Industrial Revolution or the gold rush – and it is still ongoing. The main thing is: you are already living in it. What will you tell your children years from now?

“I’m sorry, son… I was afraid. I didn’t see the opportunity, even though it was right in front of me. We are not rich because your dad thought like a poor man. I trusted the crowd too much – those who always arrive last and always leave empty-handed.”

But it can be different! You can take a broader perspective. Stop seeking approval from the majority, who are always late. Start learning, experimenting, analyzing. Understand that times of change are not a reason for fear, but a window for growth. You don’t have to be a genius to seize the opportunity. You need to be open. Have the courage to ask questions, think for yourself, and most importantly, act before it’s too late. Awaken!