2024, A Year of Learning
Crypto Reflections and Holiday Wishes
As we wrap up 2024, I find myself reflecting on a truth that has become increasingly clear: each obstacle I've encountered has been a profound teacher, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and wisdom. This rings especially true in my journey through the cryptocurrency space.
Throughout this year, I've dedicated myself to demystifying crypto concepts, breaking down complex ideas into digestible pieces for newcomers and veterans alike. While mainstream media often focuses on price action and sensationalism, I've tried to illuminate the underlying innovations and real-world applications that make this technology revolutionary.
A Milestone to Celebrate 🎉
I'm humbled and deeply grateful to announce that we've just crossed 100 subscribers! When I started this newsletter, my goal was simple: share clear, honest insights about crypto with anyone willing to learn. Each of you who subscribed has validated that mission. Your comments, questions, and engagement have shaped this journey in ways I couldn't have imagined. You've challenged me to think deeper, explain better, and stay focused on what truly matters in this space. Whether you're a day-one subscriber or just joined recently, you're part of a community that values understanding over hype, education over speculation. This milestone isn't just a number – it's a hundred unique connections with people who share my passion for demystifying crypto.
Key Crypto Milestones of 2024
The crypto ecosystem has seen remarkable developments this year:
Bitcoin ETFs: the SEC's historic approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024.
Bitcoin's Fourth Halving: the April 2024 halving event reduced mining rewards to 3.125 BTC, highlighting Bitcoin's programmatic scarcity, a fundamental aspect of its value proposition.
Ethereum's Cancun Upgrade: on March 13, 2024 was successfully implemented upgrade introduced several enhancements aimed at improving network efficiency and scalability, including proto-danksharding (EIP-4844), which reduces transaction costs and enhances data availability.
Lightning Network Growth: Surpassing 500,000 payment channels, demonstrating Bitcoin's evolution as a payment network. This growth indicates increasing adoption and utility of Bitcoin for transactions.
DeFi Maturation: The Total Value Locked (TVL) in decentralized finance (DeFi) has reached new heights in 2024.
Regulatory Clarity: Significant strides have been made in regulatory clarity across major jurisdictions. Notably, the EU’s Markets in Cryptoassets (MiCA) regulation began implementation in June 2024, providing a framework for crypto operations. Additionally, various countries have introduced or refined their regulatory approaches to stablecoins and other crypto assets throughout the year.
Teaching others about these developments has been deeply rewarding. Every question, every confused look, and every "aha!" moment has pushed me to find better ways to explain these concepts. It's reminded me that sometimes the best way to learn is to teach.
As we head into 2025, I'm filled with optimism. The crypto space continues to evolve, not just as a technological innovation, but as a movement toward financial inclusion and empowerment. Each challenge we face – whether it's regulatory uncertainty, technical complexity, or market volatility – teaches us something new and makes our community stronger.
Holiday Wishes 🎄
This holiday season, I want to thank each of you who've joined me on this educational journey. Whether you're a longtime subscriber or just discovering crypto, your curiosity and engagement drive me to keep learning and sharing.
May your holidays be filled with joy, and may the new year bring you opportunities for growth, learning, and success. Remember, in crypto as in life, every challenge is a lesson waiting to be learned.
Here's to another year of discovery, understanding, and community building.
Warm wishes,
Veronica ❤️
P.S. I’ll be back in January breaking down emerging crypto concepts in simple terms. Stay tuned!