Michael A. Duniec

Mike, an early innovator in the cryptocurrency realm, embarked on his Bitcoin journey in 2011, during the nascent stages of digital currency when decentralized money was still a novel idea. With the price of Bitcoin at a mere seventy cents, Mike's foresight and determination led him to mine the cryptocurrency, leveraging the computational power of GPUs in an era where mining pools were the crux of Bitcoin acquisition. His story is not just about the triumphs but also the tribulations, including the infamous Mt. Gox hacks and the eventual shutdown of the Silk Road, which shaped his perspective on the volatility and the potential of this digital asset. Mike's expertise extended beyond mere acquisition; he became a proponent of self-custody and robust security principles, advocating for a mix of hot and mainly cold hardware wallet storage to safeguard digital assets against the backdrop of a tumultuous market. The common misconception that early Bitcoin miners like Mike must have amassed fortunes is challenged by the reality of the market's early instability. Despite mining Bitcoin when it was worth fractions of a dollar, Mike focused on the sustainable growth of his operation, ensuring that his endeavors could support his living expenses while fueling his passion for coding and optimization. The longing for a time machine is a sentiment shared by many early adopters, yet the lessons learned and experiences truly define Mike's journey. Mike is a Serial IT Entrepreneur with a Master of Science in Commercial Enterprise in Space from Florida Tech, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship & Marketing from Kent State University, and a CompTIA Security+ CE Professional.