The word “HODL” in the world of Bitcoin was born from a famous “typo” that became a meme and then an authentic motto of the crypto community. The story dates back to December 2013, on the Bitcointalk forum, a space where people passionately debated Bitcoin.
The original post
A user named “GameKyuubi” wrote a thread titled “I AM HODLING” instead of “I AM HOLDING” (which in English would mean “I am holding” or “I am not selling”). In his post, he confessed that he had had a few too many drinks (“I’m drunk”), and that even with the price of Bitcoin wobbling, he was not considering selling his coins. Amid somewhat confusing opinions and his obvious state of intoxication, that typing error slipped in: “HODLING” instead of “HOLDING.”
The meaning
What started as a simple typo became a motto for the Bitcoin community. “HODL” is understood as “holding your bitcoins against all odds” or “not selling despite market volatility.” Even over the years, people have invented humorous “explanations” such as: “Hold On for Dear Life,” playing on the letters of “HODL.”
The meme and its spread
Quickly, that post on Bitcointalk was filled with comments. People found it funny, related to the author's frustration, and the uncertainty the market was experiencing.
The word “HODL” began to be repeated on social media, forums, and then in all spaces related to cryptocurrencies.
Over the years, it became the classic expression to refer to the strategy of buying and “holding” bitcoins or cryptocurrencies without selling, especially during times of volatility.
In summary, the word “HODL” originated from a message written by someone who, after having had a drink, vented his frustration in a Bitcoin forum and, instead of “HOLDING,” wrote “HODLING.” That typographical error became popularized to become one of the most representative terms of crypto culture.