Today’s question is simple yet thought-provoking: what exactly defines a Bitcoiner? Or perhaps it’s better to ask, what are the key characteristics of Bitcoiners? It’s important to note that no one can really decide if someone is a Bitcoiner. It’s more about personal traits that align with Bitcoin’s values, not an official title.
At Bitcoin meetups for example, there’s always a wide variety of people. Even though everyone shares an interest in Bitcoin, there’s a lot of diversity in personalities and approaches. Terms like Bitcoiners, Maximalists, or even toxic Maximalists are often used, but what do they really mean? Who decides when someone belongs to one group or another?
Can Someone Be a Bitcoiner Without Knowing It?
There’s an interesting idea: could someone be a Bitcoiner without even knowing it? It’s possible to live by the same values—self-reliance, personal responsibility, and questioning authority—without actually owning Bitcoin. For instance, at a recent meetup, someone who was heavily into prepping displayed many traits often associated with Bitcoiners. This person didn’t rely on external sources, took responsibility for their own actions, and believed in personal freedom—yet they hadn’t discovered Bitcoin. This shows that the mindset of a Bitcoiner can exist before ever owning any Bitcoin.
What Defines a Bitcoiner?
A key trait of Bitcoiners is the desire to take control. They don’t leave responsibility to others. This is often summed up by the phrase, “Not your keys, not your coins.” In other words, if someone keeps their Bitcoin in their own wallet, they are fully in control, and not relying on an exchange or third party to hold it for them. This self-reliance is a common characteristic among Bitcoiners.
However, the question remains: does holding Bitcoin through an ETF or on an exchange make someone less of a Bitcoiner? Some would argue that it does, as these methods don’t align with the core principles of Bitcoin, like decentralization and self-sovereignty. Using third parties to purchase or hold Bitcoin can conflict with the ethos originally laid out by Satoshi Nakamoto.
Do You Really Own Bitcoin?
Another interesting question arises when someone holds Bitcoin on an exchange: is it truly theirs? This is a topic that sparks debate, particularly among Maximalists, who believe in owning Bitcoin directly. Holding Bitcoin through an exchange or ETF may allow someone to benefit from price movements, but it doesn’t fully embrace the independence that Bitcoin represents.
When institutions like companies or pension funds buy Bitcoin ETFs, many wouldn’t consider them true Bitcoiners either. They typically don’t share the libertarian mindset or low-time preference seen among many in the Bitcoin community. Institutions often seek profit without questioning the larger system, while Bitcoiners tend to critically analyze things like central banks and government policies.
A Bitcoiner’s Mindset
One thing that sets Bitcoiners apart is their mindset. They often have a strong sense of awareness about their values, such as freedom and self-sovereignty. Many believe that people can be Bitcoiners at heart, even if they don’t yet own any Bitcoin. It’s more about how they approach the world—questioning authority, thinking critically about money, and wanting to take control of their own assets.
The Laser Eyes Trend
Many have noticed the “laser eyes” trend on Twitter, especially in bullish times, where people add laser eyes to their profile picture as a symbol of their focus on Bitcoin until it reaches $100,000. While it’s a fun way to show enthusiasm for Bitcoin, it doesn’t necessarily make someone more of a Bitcoiner. Being a Bitcoiner is more about actions and values and less social media trends.
Laser eyes proclaim a technology to guarantee the human rights of life, liberty, & property. Laser eyes channel action even as they protect from dilutive distraction. Laser eyes signal intent to make #Bitcoin an instrument of economic empowerment. pic.twitter.com/KeuwJB1V5b
— Michael Saylor⚡️ (@saylor) November 14, 2021
So, What Makes Someone a Bitcoiner?
Ultimately, being a Bitcoiner comes down to embracing personal responsibility, valuing freedom, and critically analyzing centralized systems like governments and banks. As more people discover Bitcoin, it’s likely that many will realize they’ve shared these values all along, even before they owned Bitcoin.
This exploration of what defines a Bitcoiner shows that it’s more than just owning Bitcoin—it’s about adopting a mindset of self-sovereignty and independence. It’s a conversation that will continue to evolve as more people enter the world of Bitcoin.
If you’d like to know more about Bitcoiners, and their traits, take a look at the people in our article about the ‘Most Influential People in Bitcoin‘ and study their values and beliefs.