Bitcoin $120k but only 5% adoption after 16 years success or failure?

[CryptoBoss]

Serious question that's been bothering me since BTC hit these new highs. We're sitting at $120k+ but still only around 5% of global population actually owns any bitcoin. After 16 years of existence, is this considered successful adoption or are we just trading digital collectibles among ourselves while 95% of the world doesn't give a shit?
I hold a decent stack myself but can't shake the feeling we're in some kind of echo chamber. Thoughts?

 

[goldkingcoiner]

seriously thinking 5% adoption is bad after 16 years? you realize how revolutionary technologies work right? internet took decades to hit mainstream. stop crying about numbers and appreciate youre early to the hardest money ever created

 

[root777]

Serious question that's been bothering me since BTC hit these new highs. We're sitting at $120k+ but still only around 5% of global population actually owns any bitcoin. After 16 years of existence, is this considered successful adoption or are we just trading digital collectibles among ourselves while 95% of the world doesn't give a shit?
I hold a decent stack myself but can't shake the feeling we're in some kind of echo chamber. Thoughts?

Fair point. Been thinking about this myself gold's been around thousands of years and most people still don't own significant amounts as investment. But gold has industrial use cases, jewelry demand etc. Bitcoin's value prop seems entirely based on scarcity and speculation at this point.

 

[marshal]

ser btc is digital gold not currency. never was meant for daily payments thats what lightning and L2s are for. base layer is for final settlement

 

[btcinfo891]

What percentage of population owns stocks? Real estate investment? Most people don't invest beyond their pension. 5% for 16 year old tech is actually remarkable when you think about it.

 

[Major]

True credit cards took decades for adoption, ATMs were called "impersonal" for years. New money tech moves slow because people are conservative with money.
What bothers me more than adoption rate is how we've drifted from peer-to-peer cash vision. Now everyone calls it "digital gold" because base layer can't handle real usage. That's the real problem.

 

[CryptoNeed]

but isn't the whole point that it doesn't need everyone to own it? like if 5% of population holds sound money that can't be inflated away, that's still hundreds of millions of people

 

[hack3rcon]

Here some numbers on actual transaction usage vs speculation. About 95% of bitcoin movement is exchange-to-exchange or whale wallets. Actual commerce usage is negligible. We're essentially trading a scarce digital asset, not using a monetary system.

 

[SOLluff]

even if only 5% directly own BTC, way more are exposed through ETFs, pension funds, corporate treasuries. Tesla, MicroStrategy, institutional adoption creates indirect exposure for millions more people.

 

[BeamsCoin]

It's a speculative bubble and nothing more. Compare it to actual innovations that improved people's lives - smartphones, internet, electricity. Bitcoin solves no real problems for 95% of humanity.

 

[9237653]

It's a speculative bubble and nothing more. Compare it to actual innovations that improved people's lives - smartphones, internet, electricity. Bitcoin solves no real problems for 95% of humanity.

bro what about people in countries with hyperinflation? Argentina, Venezuela, Turkey? surely bitcoin provides value there?

 

[1m0bPsYch0]

you dont buy btc to spend it. its hold and hope digital gold. if you want to actually use crypto for payments buy eth and use defi

 

[9237653]

you dont buy btc to spend it. its hold and hope digital gold. if you want to actually use crypto for payments buy eth and use defi

that response is honestly chilling.we're just admitting it's a collectible?

 

[Tineen]

My parents never owned a computer until 2005. Now they're glued to smartphones. Adoption curves aren't linear. Bitcoin might stay at 5% for years then jump to 20% rapidly.

 

[Neuromancer]

Nothing stopping the other 95% from buying some if they want it. Market is open 24/7. If people choose not to participate that's their decision.

 

[Artemi5]

still haven't met anyone who actually pays with bitcoin IRL. it's always investment perspective. even the bitcoin conference vendors wanted USD lol

 

[BB.15.(o).U]

basically admitting its ponzi scheme and we're hoping not to be bag holders. uncomfortable truth nobody wants to acknowledge

 

[0kTradee]

Bitcoin is not a currency and never will be. Network can't handle the transaction volume. It's become digital art for rich people.

 

[bitcornholder]

Bitcoin isn't meant to be currency. 1 satoshi is smallest unit, with 21M bitcoin that's enough units for everyone. But it's safe harbor for wealth preservation, not daily spending money.

 

[I314I7I<code>]

There is no use case its just price speculation. get your money before you become bagbolder