From $100 investment to $100K milestone: One investor’s Bitcoin story

As Bitcoin recently passed the historic milestone of $100,000, crypto enthusiast Ann Marie McQueen reflected on her journey, lessons learned, and plans for navigating the cryptocurrency landscape.

“I’m excited to be a part of something,” McQueen told The Crypto Radio, her enthusiasm reflecting the significance of the moment.

Her journey began in 2018, when curiosity led her to invest $100 in crypto. She recalled, “I invested about $100 and left it and then checked on it a long time later, and it was many multiples. And I thought, 'Geez, why didn’t I just invest a little bit more?'" This early experience sparked her interest and deepened her involvement in cryptocurrencies.

For newcomers hesitant to take the first step, McQueen’s advice is simple: “I think the most important thing is to get off zero.” By overcoming the initial mental barrier of trying something new, she believes doors will open for people to learn more. "I think that means you are more involved, and then it's easier to learn, but it's like a huge wall if you aren't involved at all."

Bitcoin’s milestone and its significance

Bitcoin’s $100,000 milestone underscores its evolution as a global asset and highlights growing confidence in its role as a store of value. McQueen believes crypto offers an unprecedented opportunity. “You’re actually investing in the technology. When you’re buying these tokens—not all of them, but some of them—that’s the exciting part. You’re getting a chance to invest in something. This is all brand new. This is unprecedented, and it’s a huge opportunity, but it is a huge learning curve.”

McQueen views Bitcoin as more than just a speculative asset. “I don’t have any intention of selling my Bitcoin. If anything, I’m going to add to it,” she stated firmly. Her confidence stems from Bitcoin’s evolution as a store of value. “In the last months, no one has been selling their Bitcoin ... everyone's talking about keeping their Bitcoin as a store of value that will appreciate,” she said. The milestone reflects Bitcoin’s growing acceptance and potential to shape the future of finance.

Altcoins and hard lessons learned

While Bitcoin dominates her portfolio, McQueen also holds altcoins, including XRP. “I also don’t think I’ll sell my XRP,” she shared, explaining her interest: “I think something just tells me to hang on to that. Yeah, I could be wrong. It's up so much," she said, while also admitting, "I'm developing my strategy as I go.”

Other than XRP, she is considering reallocating her portfolio to focus more on Bitcoin. "I think I'll be selling the old coins and putting it into Bitcoin," she said. Her evolving strategy reflects a broader shift toward viewing Bitcoin as a cornerstone of long-term investment.

McQueen approaches memecoins cautiously after previous missteps. “I did dabble, and I lost, I lost $800,” she admitted. Managing multiple crypto projects has proven challenging, with memecoins requiring a lot of time and effort. For newcomers, her experience serves as a warning to tread carefully with speculative assets.

Learning through a network

Though based mainly on intuition, McQueen’s strategy is also influenced by her “crypto council of elders,” a trusted network of experienced investors whose approaches vary widely. Some are actively buying Bitcoin up until a specific date, such as Christmas, seeing the current market as an opportunity. Others have paused purchases since Bitcoin hit $69,000, expecting a potential price dip in the future. Still, others favor dollar-cost averaging—buying small amounts consistently over time, regardless of market conditions.

She also reflected on how her generation’s adaptability has prepared them for this shift. “When I started in journalism, I was using a notepad and a camera and a fax machine, and not even the internet, the first year that I worked.” This adaptability has equipped her to embrace the rapidly changing crypto space.

Bitcoin’s rise to $100,000 marks a pivotal moment in its journey as a global asset, even if its price has since fluctuated. McQueen’s story serves as a reminder of the power of learning, adapting, and investing thoughtfully in the ever-changing world of cryptocurrencies. Her journey illustrates the opportunities and challenges that come with this revolutionary technology, encouraging others to take the first step and explore its potential.

 

Listen to the whole interview on The Crypto Radio's live player or in the Community podcast.