When I first heard about cryptocurrency years ago, it sounded more like a science fiction idea than a financial planning conversation. I feel as though almost everyone has heard the story of the famed bitcoin transaction for a Papa John’s pizza in 2010, where a guy in Florida paid 10,000 Bitcoin for two whole Papa John’s pizzas. The value of the bitcoin at the time was roughly 41 dollars, and that would be Billions today.
In the crypto community, May 22nd is known as Bitcoin Pizza Day, but outside of the value discrepancy, which most people love to spend time thinking about (as if any of us could have known), that day marked something truly significant for Crypto. This was the day that the first transaction ever for Bitcoin was officially facilitated, and we would be off to the races from there. Fast forward to today, Cryptocurrency has over a 4 trillion dollar market cap, and it’s become a regular part of day-to-day lives in the world of money. You seemingly can’t go anywhere without hearing about Crypto; it’s all over the news, talked about over dinner, governments are buying it, and I’ve even had my Uber driver randomly bring up Crypto.
From my perspective, one of the many things that makes crypto fascinating is how quickly it’s moved from an experiment on the fringes of the internet to a topic serious investors now consider alongside stocks and bonds. In my meetings with clients, Crypto gets brought up very often, but after digging a bit deeper in these conversations, I found that most people don’t really understand Crypto, they just get caught up in the FOMO.
So, in this blog, I want to start at the beginning, what cryptocurrency really is, how it got started, and why it has captured so much attention. From there, we’ll explore how it’s evolved into the market we see today and what that means for people trying to make smart, long-term financial decisions.
What is Cryptocurrency and How Did It Start?
At its most basic level, cryptocurrency is simply digital money. Instead of being printed by a government or managed by a bank, it lives entirely online and is tracked using something called the blockchain. The blockchain is a digital ledger that records every transaction. Think of it like a giant spreadsheet that’s shared across thousands of computers around the world. Because no single person or institution controls it, the system is considered decentralized, transparent, and very difficult to tamper with.
The very first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was created in 2009 by an unknown person (or group) who went by the name Satoshi Nakamoto. The reason we say unknown is that there are no actual public verified records of Satoshi Nakamoto; there are only a handful of digital traces such as email communications, forum posts, and the famed whitepaper “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System,” just to name a few. Originally, Bitcoin was designed to let people send money to each other directly, without needing a bank or middleman. The timing of the launch of Bitcoin was very important, as this was right after the 2008 financial crisis, when trust in traditional financial systems was shaken.
In the beginning, hardly anyone took Bitcoin seriously. It was mostly traded by tech enthusiasts, but over the years, it began to gain popularity, and other cryptocurrencies soon followed. The most important was Ethereum, which introduced new ways to use blockchain technology beyond just money. Ethereum allowed developers to build apps and contracts that could run automatically on the blockchain, which opened the door to things like NFTs, a new way to transact other coins, and decentralized finance.
What started as one coin has now grown into an entire industry of thousands of digital assets. Some are serious projects with real-world use cases, while others are more speculative. But no matter what you think of it, crypto has come a long way from its pizza-purchase beginnings.
The Evolution of Crypto: From Fringe to Mainstream
For years, cryptocurrency lived on the edges of finance. It was mostly something tech enthusiasts and risk-takers dabbled in, while traditional investors stayed far away. The volatility, the confusing exchanges, and the security risks made it seem far too risky, and the industry was looked at somewhat like the wild west (for good reason).
Over time, things began to change. More and more companies began to take blockchain technology seriously, and payment processors opened the door to crypto transactions. In December 2017, two major U.S. commodities exchanges, the CBOE and CME, took a groundbreaking step by introducing Bitcoin Futures Contracts. These developments were significant, but perhaps the most impactful breakthrough came in January 2024, when the SEC, the nation’s most prominent securities regulator, approved the first spot Bitcoin ETFs. Shortly after, Ethereum ETFs received approval as well, marking a new era of mainstream adoption.
That was a turning point. It meant crypto wasn’t just a “side hustle investment” anymore but it became something that could be discussed in the same breath as stocks, bonds, and real estate. Since then, crypto has only continued to grow in acceptance and curiosity. Large corporations, prominent financial institutions, retirement plans, and even governments are beginning to find ways to include it.
For me as an advisor, this shift has been fascinating. A few years ago, clients rarely brought up Bitcoin except as a side note. Now, it’s a serious question: “Does this belong in my financial plan?”
What Crypto Means for Investors Today
So here we are in 2025. Cryptocurrency is no longer just a hobby for tech insiders, but it shouldn’t be viewed as the golden ticket to overnight wealth. In reality, the way I view Crypto, its place lies somewhere in the middle.
Crypto can play a role in a portfolio, but it should be a very intentional role. For some clients, a small allocation can provide exposure to innovation and potentially enhance long-term returns. For others, the volatility is simply too uncomfortable, and choosing not to own crypto is every bit as valid. Owning crypto is not a requirement for financial success, and for many people, skipping it altogether makes sense.
Like with all other forms of investing, what matters most is clarity and discipline. Before investing in crypto, I always encourage people to ask: What job do I want this to do? How much risk am I honestly willing to take? What is my long-term vision for this asset? What exchange should I buy it on, and do I feel good about them? Could I ride out an 80% drop without panicking? If those questions can’t be answered confidently, it may be better to press pause.
Crypto may now have ETFs, institutional backing, and growing adoption, but it still has the same wild ups and downs that have defined it since the beginning. Treating it as a thoughtful, right-sized part of a broader plan as opposed to chasing headlines or falling victim to FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is the key to making it work for real people.
Deciding If Crypto Fits Your Financial Goals
Cryptocurrency has come a long way in a short amount of time. What started in 2009 as a bold experiment in digital money has grown into an industry with global impact. It has moved from pizza purchases to Wall Street ETFs, and from being dismissed as a fad to being taken seriously by financial planners, institutions, and governments alike.
The real question isn’t “should everyone own crypto” but rather, does it make sense for you, your goals, and your risk tolerance? For some, an intentional, well-defined allocation is a way to participate in innovation. For others, the best decision is to watch from the sidelines without fear of missing out. Both approaches can be perfectly right.
As I tell my clients, success in financial planning rarely comes from chasing the newest trend. It comes from building a disciplined strategy, sticking with it, and making intentional choices. Every investment has a tradeoff, and crypto is no exception to that. If crypto fits into that bigger picture, it can add value. If it doesn’t, that’s okay too. What matters is that your money works for you, and that you make intentional, well-informed decisions that you are comfortable with.
About Iarann Wealth
At Iarann Wealth, we believe managing wealth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about purpose, clarity, and confidence for the road ahead. Whether you’re building a business, growing your investments, preparing for retirement, or navigating major life decisions, our mission is to help you make smarter financial choices that align with your values and goals.
We serve high-income earners, business owners, tech professionals, and families with comprehensive, relationship-focused financial planning. From tax strategy and cash flow management to retirement, estate, and exit planning—we deliver actionable strategies designed to support your long-term success.
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Owner/CEO
Wealth Management Advisor
Connor Low is an Investment Advisor and Lead Financial Planner, as well as the founder of Iarann Wealth, a wealth management firm based in Durham, North Carolina. Born in New York, Connor later moved to North Carolina and has dedicated his career to delivering financial planning and investment strategies, helping clients build and preserve wealth through tailored solutions.
