In 2011, Erik Finman was a 12-year-old kid from Idaho, frustrated with school and struggling to fit in. His teachers doubted he’d amount to much, and Erik himself was losing faith in traditional education. But, beneath it all, he had a fascination for technology and an eye for opportunity. That year, Erik’s grandmother gave him a gift of $1,000, and while most kids his age might have splurged on games or gadgets, Erik had a different plan.

He’d recently heard of Bitcoin from his older brother, and it sparked his curiosity. At the time, Bitcoin was just a little-known, risky digital currency, priced around $10 per coin. But to Erik, it seemed like a revolution in the making. Without hesitation, he invested every cent of his $1,000 into Bitcoin, purchasing around 100 coins. Friends thought he was crazy, and even Erik didn’t realize yet just how life-changing this decision would be.

As the years passed, Bitcoin remained volatile—sometimes his $1,000 investment looked like it might disappear, and other times it was worth several times what he’d started with. By age 15, Erik’s Bitcoin holdings had grown to around $100,000. Despite his growing wealth, he was more frustrated with school than ever. Deciding he’d had enough, he approached his parents with a proposition: he would drop out of high school, but if he became a millionaire by 18, they’d agree not to force him back.

With his parents reluctantly agreeing, Erik stayed focused on his Bitcoin investment. As 2017’s crypto boom hit, Bitcoin’s price rocketed past $10,000, and Erik’s initial investment surged to over $1 million. He’d reached his goal of becoming a millionaire before 18, just as he’d promised.

But Erik didn’t stop there. With his new wealth, he launched **Botangle**, a digital education startup aimed at students like him who found traditional schooling frustrating and unengaging. Botangle offered a platform where students could connect with tutors on subjects they were genuinely interested in, a concept inspired by Erik’s own struggles.

Erik Finman quickly became known as one of the world’s youngest Bitcoin millionaires—a dropout who’d defied expectations. He began sharing his story to inspire young people to think differently, embrace bold ideas, and see beyond conventional paths. Today, Erik’s journey stands as a powerful reminder that with the right mix of curiosity, conviction, and risk-taking, even the boldest dreams are within reach.