At the BTC Prague conference today, Michael Saylor, executive chairman of MicroStrategy, captivated attendees with a keynote address where he predicted a meteoric rise in the Bitcoin price, suggesting it could reach as much as $8 million per coin. This assertion was part of his broader presentation on the “21 Rules of HODLing Bitcoin,” which outlines strategies for managing and sustaining investments in a highly volatile environment.
During his speech, Saylor articulated a philosophical and strategic framework for understanding and investing in BTC. He positioned the cryptocurrency not just as a financial asset but as a revolutionary tool capable of reshaping global financial paradigms, as summarized by Luke Broyles via X.
Understanding And Investing In Bitcoin
#1 “Those who understand buy Bitcoin, those who don’t criticize Bitcoin,” Saylor declared, setting the tone for his discourse on the dichotomy between skeptics and proponents. He argued that recognizing BTC’s potential is akin to seeing a paradigm shift before it fully unfolds.
#2 Reflecting on his initial dismissive stance in 2013, Saylor recounted how his view evolved as BTC’s resilience and potential became increasingly evident. His personal journey from skepticism to advocacy underscores a common path among investors who often transition from doubt to strong support.
#3 You will never be done learning about Bitcoin,” Saylor stated, emphasizing the complexity and ever-evolving nature of the cryptocurrency. He suggested that BTC’s intersection with global economics, technology, and regulatory frameworks makes it a perpetually relevant subject for study.
#4 Drawing historical parallels, Saylor highlighted moments of significant upheaval, such as WWII and the rise of communism in Europe, to illustrate BTC’s value as a non-geopolitical, stable store of wealth. “Buy BTC because entropy is guaranteed,” he asserted, suggesting that Bitcoin provides a safe haven in times of disorder.
#5 According to Saylor, BTC offers an equitable opportunity in contrast to traditional financial systems, which he views as inherently skewed against the average person. “Bitcoin is the only game in the casino that we can all win,” he noted, framing it as a uniquely fair and transparent financial instrument.
#6 He advised taking a proactive approach to investment, saying, “Bitcoin won’t protect you if you don’t wear the armor.” This analogy was used to encourage substantial, thoughtful investment in Bitcoin to safeguard one’s financial future.
#7 Saylor passionately argued that Bitcoin enables a form of ownership unmediated by any third party: “Your cryptographic keys in your head are your wealth.” This, he claimed, is a radical shift from the way assets have been controlled and protected throughout history.
#8 Reflecting on the volatility and growth trajectory, Saylor shared a personal anecdote on how he dismissed BTC at $892 to only deserve buying it at $9,500 for the first time. “Everyone gets Bitcoin at the price they deserve,” he remarked. “He then said when Bitcoin is $950,000 people will try to wait for it to crash to $700,000. Then BTC would go to $8,000,000,” Broyles reiterated.
“Everybody gets bitcoin at the price they deserve!” @saylor on the #BTCPrague Main Stage in one of his 21 Rules of #Bitcoin
Subscribe to our YT channel to get the full keynote soon! pic.twitter.com/2deKKAvG5Q
— BTC Prague (@BTCPrague) June 14, 2024
#9 Saylor advised only investing money that one can afford to lose, highlighting the conservative approach to adopting new financial technologies. This rule underscores the balance between visionary investment and financial prudence.
#10 Describing fiat currencies and traditional economic indicators as “the matrix,” Saylor championed Bitcoin as a means to transcend conventional financial systems. He sees it as not just a technology but a liberation from the restrictive narratives imposed by traditional economic structures.
#11 Saylor shared insights from personal experiences where Bitcoin’s impact on his company’s financial stability was profound. “Without BTC, MSTR would have failed,” he disclosed, illustrating the direct impact of strategic Bitcoin investments on corporate finance.
#12 Saylor projected a conservative 24% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next decade, setting a potential valuation benchmark and underscoring his confidence in BTC’s sustained growth. Notably, this would price BTC at $600,000 by 2034.
#13 Saylor described the current economic system as flawed, seeing BTC as a cure for these inherent issues. “The cure to economic illness is the orange pill,” he said, promoting it as a revolutionary technology that offers a radical update to outdated economic practices.
#14 Rather than attacking the fading fiat system, Saylor urged for a positive approach: “Be for Bitcoin, not against fiat,” emphasizing the importance of building a new system rather than destructively opposing the old.
#15 According to Saylor, “Bitcoin is for everybody.” He projected that digital capital like BTC could eventually represent half of all value in a future, yet-to-be-imagined world economy, which would significantly drive up its price.
#16 “Learn to think in Bitcoin,” Saylor advised, encouraging a shift in perspective to view future technologies and paradigms through the lens of BTC, rather than trying to fit new innovations into old frameworks.
#17 “You don’t change Bitcoin, it changes you.” Saylor highlighted how BTC challenges individuals to rethink their approach to money, value, and investment on a global scale.
#18 “Laser eyes protect you from endless lies.” Saylor underscored the importance of maintaining focus on the long-term potential, especially when its market price reaches landmarks like $100,000 or $1 million. He envisioned a future where BTC’s market cap could escalate to between $100 trillion and $500 trillion.
#19 He cautioned, “Respect Bitcoin or it will make a clown of you.” This rule was a warning against underestimating BTC’s impact and the foolishness of mocking an emerging financial technology that has substantial backing and proven resilience.
#20 “You do not sell your Bitcoin.” Saylor likened selling BTC to self-sabotage, suggesting that it is a foundational asset for long-term financial security, much like a life raft in an ocean or a fire in winter.
#21 Finally, Saylor concluded with, “Spread Bitcoin with love.” He stressed the importance of patience and kindness in promoting BTC, especially towards those who are initially critical or dismissive of its benefits.
Through these 21 rules, Saylor provided a blueprint for not only understanding and investing in BTC but also for participating in a broader movement that could redefine the global economic order.
At press time, BTC traded at $67,102.
Featured image from Forbes, chart from TradingView.com