Having been involved in the crypto space for over a decade and witnessing three bull and bear cycles, today I want to share some honest thoughts from the heart.

Bitcoin, some see it as digital gold, while others call it a scam. But in my opinion, as long as you can withstand the fluctuations before 2048, holding tight can turn you around — on the other hand, if you can't hold, it's just a joke.

**The Hard Truth Behind the Numbers**

Many people think "total supply of 21 million" is just a marketing slogan, but that's not the case. The reality is even harsher: at least one-fifth of the early mined coins have been permanently lost due to lost private keys or hard drive failures. Currently, the reserves on exchanges are only 2.76 million coins, hitting a new all-time low, with about 4,000 coins flowing out daily.

After the 2024 halving, the annual inflation rate drops to 0.78%, even lower than gold's 1.5%. To put it another way: if only 100 limited supercars are produced globally, but only 80 are actually driven — isn't that the power of scarcity?

**Time Tests Not Luck, But Patience**

Newbies often want to go all-in and get rich overnight, but seasoned players know: Bitcoin's wealth ultimately flows to those who can endure.

Looking at historical data, it’s clear that after each halving, it takes 6 to 18 months before a real bull cycle begins. The 2024 halving has already passed, and the real opportunity window is likely to open between 2025 and 2026. Moreover, institutions are already quietly increasing their holdings — it’s estimated that by 2026, institutions will hold about 4.2 million BTC, roughly one-fifth of the circulating supply.

Don’t be scared into panic selling by short-term dips. Even if Bitcoin drops from $120,000 to $60,000 in 2025, those who hold long-term can still achieve an average annual return of 93.8%. That’s the reward of patience.