Stop and think: Are you creating value or just holding it? This is not a small question. It is central to understanding whether cryptocurrency, and broader the economy today, is truly creating something new and good.
A Dialogue Between Wealth Creation and Value Creation
Capitalism is built on a big idea: that creating wealth and creating value can go hand in hand. You solve a societal problem, you get paid fairly. But this idea is not always true in practice. And in the world of crypto, this question becomes particularly urgent: are we actually solving problems, or just looking to "make a profit"?
Bitcoin: Value Created and Value Held
Let's start with a clear example. Bitcoin is not just a speculative asset – it addresses a real problem. In a world where fiat money is continuously losing value, Bitcoin is a tool for asset protection against inflation. Blockchain not only brings transparency but also drives a global monetary revolution.
Value Created: Technology that protects assets against the lack of discipline in monetary policies.
Value Held: Early and patient investors have reaped significant profits.
Bitcoin is an ideal example of balancing value creation and value holding. But not every project in crypto achieves this.
Meme Coin: Humor or Waste?
On the other end of the spectrum are meme coins – a symbol of short-term speculation. These coins do not solve any real problem, other than providing a bit of "entertainment" for the community.
Value Created: Almost None.
Value Held: Lucky investors profit, but most face risks and stress.
Meme coins illustrate a dark side of cryptocurrency: when the goal of maximizing profit surpasses the idea of creating real value.
Lessons from the Tech Giants
Look at Amazon, Google, and Facebook. These are companies that have changed the world:
Amazon: E-commerce made easier than ever.
Google: Instant knowledge at your fingertips.
Facebook: Connecting billions of people.
They not only create clear value, but their value held is also justified, as it corresponds to what they have delivered.
On the opposite extreme, those making money by "flipping" products – buying low and selling high – may profit, but they are not actually improving anything in society.
Cryptocurrency: The Gray Area Between Creating Value and Holding Value
Crypto, in many cases, lies in the gray area between creating value and holding value.
Bitcoin: A real solution to inflation.
Stablecoin: Revolutionizing cross-border payments.
Decentralized exchange: While popular, the value they create is sometimes unclear compared to the value they hold.
Unanswered Question
How much real value is the crypto industry creating? This is a big question, because if we focus too much on optimizing profits while overlooking social value, the industry will not develop sustainably.
Larger Lesson: Towards Real Value
Bitcoin shows that cryptocurrency can fulfill its promise. But this industry is still in its early stages. The future depends on whether we can create more real value rather than just looking to hold it.
This applies not only to cryptocurrency. It is a lesson for the entire economy. Real value only emerges when we address the important issues of society. And that should be the goal that every industry, including cryptocurrency, needs to aim for.
Focus on the value created. The world needs it now more than ever.
