2035: They’re Wealthy, You’re Not. What Happened?

Imagine discovering a fountain—the only one of its kind. It doesn’t just offer water; it promises prosperity, independence, and freedom. But this fountain is limited: it can only fill 21 million cups.

No more, no less.

At first, the fountain flows freely.

Those who recognize its value early take full cups to secure their future. Others, hesitant or unaware, take only a sip.

Over time, the flow slows.

The remaining cups disappear. And as the fountain runs dry, even a single drop becomes priceless.

Bitcoin is that fountain. Its 21 million “cups” represent a finite chance to own something transformative. Whether you hold a full bitcoin, a fraction, or a single satoshi, you’re securing a piece of the future in what can only be described as:

The Most Exclusive Club in the World

There are over 56 million millionaires worldwide. If every bitcoin were distributed equally (and they aren’t), there wouldn’t be enough for each millionaire to own half of one. And that’s before considering the billions of everyday people who want in.

And those billions are coming. As of 2025, approximately 833.7 million people worldwide use cryptocurrency. Even if growth slows to just 5% of the pace we’ve seen in recent years, the number of users could surpass 1 billion by 2030 and reach 1.2 billion by 2035. This isn’t speculation—it’s the trajectory we’re on as digital adoption expands globally.

From developing nations to the heart of the United States, financial instability is exposing how weak traditional banking actually is—and driving people toward bitcoin.

In Venezuela, hyperinflation has destroyed the bolívar’s value, and over 10% of the population has turned to crypto to preserve their wealth. In Nigeria, bitcoin surged after government restrictions on bank withdrawals left citizens scrambling for alternatives.

Even in the U.S., in the last few days, an outage at Capital One disrupted deposits and payments for millions. As I write this, people still don’t have access to their money:

This shows that no system is immune—and bitcoin is becoming the lifeline people trust.

With institutions like BlackRock making bitcoin more accessible through ETFs, the floodgates are opening for retail investors. Whether it’s individuals safeguarding their wealth or first-time investors seeking digital gold, the competition for bitcoin grows daily.

Why Scarcity Drives Value

Scarcity drives value. Look at gold or rare art.

But bitcoin’s scarcity operates on another level. Unlike gold, which can still be mined, bitcoin’s supply is capped forever. Its blockchain ensures every transaction and coin is verifiable. Scarcity isn’t just promised—it’s proven.

And bitcoin’s supply is shrinking. Every four years, a halving event cuts the rate at which new bitcoin is created. Halvings throttle the fountain’s flow, turning every bitcoin into a treasure. Each passing day increases competition for what’s left. The closer we get to the 21 million cap, the harder it becomes to secure your share.

And take a look at what’s happened every time:

The Halving Effect: When The Flow Slows

In 2012, bitcoin’s block reward was cut from 50 BTC to 25 BTC. Its price surged from $12 to over $1,100 within a year. Those who acted early watched their wealth multiply.

By 2016, the reward dropped to 12.5 BTC, and bitcoin climbed from $650 to nearly $20,000 in 18 months. Then came the 2020 halving, which reduced the reward to 6.25 BTC. Bitcoin soared from $8,700 to an all-time high of $69,000 by late 2021.

In April 2024, the reward was halved again to 3.125 BTC. By December, bitcoin shattered $100,000—as I write this, it’s near $104,000:

Halvings slow the flow, but they drive value higher. And keep in mind, these aren’t just numbers—they’re proof of what happens when scarcity meets demand.

Why You’re Running Out of Time

You might think, “I’ll wait for the next dip.” But time is running out.

As of January 2025, over 19.9 million bitcoin have already been mined. That leaves less than 1.19 million to be created—just 5.7% of the total supply.

Meanwhile, institutions are locking in their positions. MicroStrategy holds approximately 450,000 BTC, more than 2% of the total supply.

When Michael Saylor realized inflation was eroding his company’s cash reserves, he made a bold move: converting MicroStrategy’s balance sheet into bitcoin. That decision turned the company into a bitcoin proxy.

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, launched its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) in January 2024. In just one year, it became the most successful ETF debut in history, amassing over $52 billion in assets. Institutions like these aren’t buying bitcoin to flip it—they’re locking it away, making the remaining supply even scarcer.

The Emotional Toll of Missing Out

Imagine it’s 2035. bitcoin is now the global reserve asset, valued at over $1 million per coin. You’re sitting across from a friend who bought half a bitcoin in 2025 for $46,000. That investment changed their life—they paid off debt, funded their retirement, and created financial freedom.

And you? You hesitated. Maybe it felt too risky, or you waited for the next dip that never came. Now, you’re watching others enjoy the life you could have had. The regret doesn’t just sting—it stays.

The beauty of bitcoin is its divisibility. You don’t need a full coin to benefit. Even owning a fraction puts you ahead of billions of people.

Set a Goal: Decide how much bitcoin you want to own. Even a fraction of a bitcoin secures your place in the 21 Million Club.

Use Dollar-Cost Averaging: Invest small amounts consistently, no matter the price. This removes emotion and builds your position over time.

Think Long-Term: bitcoin isn’t a lottery ticket—it’s a generational bet. Zoom out, hold steady, and let time do its work.

Your Fountain Moment Is Now

You’re standing before the fountain. The water shimmers, but the flow has slowed. Those who hesitate will watch as others secure their legacy. Those who act will join the 21 Million Club—a group defined not by dreams, but by decisive action.

The question isn’t if bitcoin will transform lives—it’s whether you’ll let it transform yours.

Until next time, remember:

Concentration beats diversification,
Donald Doge (Double D)

P.S. Speaking of Bold Decisions… Many of you have asked for an update on my $ai16z trade, the AI-driven cryptocurrency I introduced earlier.

If you’re not familiar with it, $ai16z is revolutionizing crypto trading. Its AI agents analyze over 400 billion data points daily, predicting market trends with 85% accuracy.

Backed by $200 million in venture funding, $ai16z is bringing speed, precision, and foresight to a volatile market.

That’s why I acted. I saw $ai16z’s potential to lead the market. My decision paid off—I’ve already taken my initial investment off the table. I call this my Moonshot Ride—I’m now riding the trade risk-free because my capital is out, and the remaining position is all profit.

While I’ve secured my gains, I still believe $ai16z has enormous potential. Its technology is reshaping the crypto landscape.

But remember: position sizing matters. For me, putting in $30,000 doesn’t change my life if it goes to zero. If losing your investment would keep you up at night, you’ve put in too much. Only allocate what you can afford to lose.

I took the $30,000 from the $ai16z trade, and put it into $pengu… I’ll update you on that trade this coming Monday.