Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have been popular for so many years, but there's always been a question that puzzles people: Are they the next-generation financial assets or just a bubble?

Many people consider Bitcoin as "digital gold." The reasons are simple—fixed total supply, no inflation, cross-border transferability, and decentralized operation. In an era of traditional currency devaluation, these features are indeed attractive and have become a new approach for many investors to hedge against inflation.

But reality isn't that simple. Cryptocurrency prices are extremely volatile—an optimistic news can lead to a 30% increase, while a regulatory announcement can cause a 50% drop. Governments' attitudes are also fluctuating; some embrace, others suppress. There are still security risks at the technical level, and energy consumption is an unavoidable issue. These are all hurdles that cryptocurrencies must overcome to move from niche to mainstream.

In essence, cryptocurrencies are an experiment in "who controls your money." They break the monopoly of traditional financial institutions and give individuals more autonomy. This is a promising dream, but only if you truly understand this ecosystem—from basic wallets and seed phrases to the differences between Bitcoin and Ethereum, and the latest regulatory developments in various countries.

Blindly chasing overnight riches? That’s gambling. Rational planning and long-term thinking? That’s the attitude investors should have.