If you ask people who have held Bitcoin since the early days: "What is their biggest regret?" The answer is almost never "Not buying Bitcoin earlier," but rather "Selling it too early."
The story of Chamath Palihapitiya, a veteran investor and Bitcoin OG, is the most vivid testament. Despite recognizing Bitcoin's potential early on and achieving great success, he still has to admit that selling Bitcoin too early is one of the biggest mistakes of his investment career.
Chamath Palihapitiya – The Pioneer of Bitcoin Investment
Chamath Palihapitiya, a tech billionaire and investor, was one of the first to recognize Bitcoin's potential.
He started buying Bitcoin when the price was only around $80/BTC.
At one point, he held up to 5% of the total Bitcoin supply – equivalent to about 1 million BTC.
But even an investor with a vision like Chamath can’t avoid the mistakes that many investors make – selling Bitcoin too early.
Chamath's Biggest Regret
1. "I sold too early"
In an All-In podcast episode, Chamath candidly admitted that selling Bitcoin early cost him the chance to make billions of dollars:
"You know, looking back at all the Bitcoin I sold, I wish I hadn’t done that. The amount I lost is certainly 3 or 4 billion USD – and it’s still increasing."
Although he has been incredibly successful in other investment areas, Chamath still acknowledges that this is one of his biggest regrets in his career.
2. "The Tahoe Deal" – The most expensive Bitcoin transaction in history
In 2014, Chamath used 2,739 BTC to purchase a vacation property at Lake Tahoe, a famous location in the U.S.
At that time, this amount of Bitcoin was worth 1.6 million USD.
But if held until today, that amount of BTC would be worth approximately 251 million USD.
Chamath joked that:
"This is probably the most expensive land deal in Bitcoin history." 🤯
Lessons from Michael Saylor – The Golden Rule of Bitcoin
Chamath shares that he did not follow the golden rule of Michael Saylor, the founder of MicroStrategy and a famous Bitcoin OG:
"You never sell your Bitcoin."
Michael Saylor has continuously bought and held Bitcoin despite market volatility. With this strategy, MicroStrategy has become one of the largest Bitcoin whales in the world, and Michael Saylor is one of the strongest advocates for Bitcoin's long-term vision.
Why Do People Often Sell Bitcoin Too Early?
1️⃣ Lack of long-term vision: Many people see Bitcoin merely as a speculative asset, without realizing that it is a financial and technological revolution.
2️⃣ Pressure from price volatility: Bitcoin's price can increase tenfold in a few months but can also drop 80% in a short time. This volatility scares many people and prompts them to sell.
3️⃣ Fear of missing out: When prices rise rapidly, the "sell to take profits" mentality often overshadows long-term belief, causing investors to miss out on greater growth potential.
4️⃣ Not understanding compound interest: Bitcoin is not just a short-term investment. It is a long-term value accumulation tool, where compound interest truly exerts its power over time.
Take Action, Keep the Faith – HODL is the Strategy
When the market is bullish, it’s easy to get swept up in short-term fluctuations. But if you truly believe in Bitcoin, the wisest thing sometimes is:
"Do nothing. Just hold and wait."
This is also the philosophy that successful investors like Michael Saylor and many other Bitcoin OGs always adhere to.
Message: Don't Let Regret from Selling Too Early
Bitcoin has proven that it is not just a speculative tool but a global financial revolution. Its value continues to rise with each cycle, and those who patiently hold long-term are often the ones who benefit the most.
Ask yourself:
Do you believe in Bitcoin's long-term potential?
Are you ready to endure volatility to achieve the greatest benefits?
Chamath has proven one thing:
"The biggest regret is not buying Bitcoin early, but not having enough patience to hold it."
🟠 HODL strong – and don’t let the future make you regret.
