What an incredible story @vcelier! It was very smart of you to see the value in cryptocurrency at such an early stage, you were one of only a handful of people who did. Sometimes having that pioneering nature and being open to new ideas really pays off in a big way. What a good lesson your story teaches in that regard!

I'm so sorry to hear you lost so much on Mt. Gox. It seems you've handled it in a positive way. That kind of loss can teach you a lot and can also change you in certain ways. I know how it feels, I lost 73 Bitcoin (and other alts) worth nearly $1M on the Bitgrail exchange in 2018. It was more money that I thought I would ever see in my entire life. At the time I was devastated but eventually made peace with it. When something like that happens to you there's really only one thing you can do, move forward. The experience changed the way I view wealth and money in general, it made me realize how transitory it is. The crypto sector, especially in those earlier days, was like the Wild West. Fortunes could be made and lost almost in the same day.

Isn't it amazing to purchase something like the apartment you did with crypto proceeds? That's when it makes it all feel very real. I really enjoyed this post and getting to know more about you. I wish we had more time to hang out in Portugal while we were all there for SF2. I hope we get a chance to share a meal and a glass of wine at some point in the future. Take care of yourself and have a great Holiday!