Topic: [Interviews] with Bitcointalk members - page 22. (Read 30762 times)

Hello.
I want to interview you. I hope for your consent: My pleasure to grant this interview.

Questions and answers
1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
That was towards the last quarter of 2016 or early 2017. At that time, I heard about a coin called billion coin from people that were discussing passively and they were trying to invest like in multi level marketing where you introduce someone and the person becomes your downliner to earn from. In retrospect, I now know better that, that it is a networking shit like many other networking saga shit. Anyway, I don't know how the billion coin stuff ended, whether people got scammed or not (and they should really haha) because networking always fulfills the greed of first comers.
But , the thing was that I got overwhelmed by the name billion and coin. I was always wondering what coin could be called the name billioncoin because I only know my local currency coin. This curiosity lasted for a while until I saw on the the internet, talks on a coin close to the name of billion coin called Bitcoin.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
I never done that. Maybe because I didn't know I could buy it. The newbie story  

3. How did you get on the forum?
Yes, to continue from the point I saw a resemblance of billion coin, I saw Bitcoin and started reading to see if it is related to networking but didn't see such. In more research, I saw this site, Read little and decided to use the registration button.

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
Holding so much to fiat.

4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
It is positive to the forum. The gambling section is growing fast maybe because of the signature campaign aspect of it.

4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
An investor need to be educated, I believe so but not a whole life in the education. 2-3 years is a long time of education.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?

The merit introduced is doing more good to the forum. It helps a user to think about how to make his/her post worthy in value and to help other users too. For example, with my little research and observation about the challenges bounty hunters are facing in scam, I opened a thread to help and guide participants more and I think it has been helpful to users who visit the thread from the comments made. Link https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.53975958

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
For topics, I have been helped reading in newbie board. I have some users whom IMO have been very useful here. The number one in my list is CryptopreneurBrainboss. CryptopreneurBrainboss has tremendously helped his people during the covid-19 problem in supply of support in feeding, money and emotional help to the rural people. His thread here
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.54440993.
A picture:
That is great support.

Royse777 also was part of the covid-19 palliative. Here too https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.54371927

cryptoaddictchie: This user has helped hunters to reduce the rate that they get scammed by bounties by providing a thread of likely bounties that will keep to promising and at least a very high percentage of bounties listed in the thread have been fulfilling promise. https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/safe-campaigns-in-the-altcoin-section-to-join-dont-waste-your-time-with-others-5228629
Nice job @ cryptoaddictchie

In the category of Managers:

The Veteran yahoo62278 has helped users to get something back while supporting the forum in his signature campaigns. yahoo62278 campaign is helpful as it identifies with lower ranks in this community, giving chance and encouraging from member ranks to have some reward.

sujonali1819: I have been lucky the times you had signature in my rank. Thank you.
Hhampuz have been a great manager

For bounty managers:

Bubbalex have handled Cartesi and DIA with promise fulfilled.
Murat and masulum have tried to keep their reputation intact by with the bounties they handled. Few other bounty managers that have fulfilled promises are included here. I didn't forget Julerz12, great guy.

Lauda, TMAN, atriz, pugman, LoyceV, OgNasty, Quickseller, Vod and few other users brought laughter to my face as a newbie during DT issues

Other helpful users are:
LFC_Bitcoin
bL4nkcode
suchmoon
TECSHARE
jackg
Darker45
hilariousetc
Jetcash
Pharmacist
vapourminer
-CryptoViking-
hugeblack
Upgrade00
Slow death
DdmrDdmr
fillippone
Lordherms
Coolcryptovator
Ratimov
cabalism13
Nulllius
Charles-Tim

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
1. Revisiting some negative tags based on mere hate or retaliation.
2. Review some permanent ban rules

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
Not really.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
Missed feeling

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
I don't expect a long time hodl from it because of the hype.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
KYC is almost breaking the bans

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
None yet. I read from the internet

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
Bitcoin
Etheruem and maybe
Curio

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
I think the range $12,000- $15,000

15. P.S. (Optional)
Life is a lesson. Learn and be better.


@ zasad permit me to suggest here 3. How did you get on the forum? that you could add "what is your challenges as a newbie" because I had a lot of it, from not knowing that I can earn from the forum to how to fix my signature in my profile at the time I realize I can earn from the forum in signature campaign, and many other challenges until I swam in beginners board.

I would like to take part in this activity to share my experience here in the forum from a shitposter to a user that would like to contribute meaningfully to the forum.

---

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
I have been here in the bitcointalk forum since 2018 and been actively participating in bounty signatures knowing that I could earn that much as what others did in their campaign. Earning was one of my motivation in keeping here but due to the fact knowing that the forum is not all about earning instead learning cryptocurrency. I was amaze how it works especially bitcoins that was being created for the financial crisis on 2007 that inspire Satoshi Nakamoto to create bitcoin. Actually, Satoshi nailed it when said this in his quote to which implies that third party holdings like bank of which amount of fiat currency is subject for abuse and in fact resulted to financial crisis on 2007 because of their doings. The bitcoin has a unique system having a peer to peer network of computers that are sharing files and help the user to make a transaction without having a third party involved and also being anonymous in the part of the user doing transaction. Bitcoin now has unique features which I do like the most first is that we can exchange bitcoin in other currencies, I can buy products, use the service of others and pay using bitcoin, and also considered as investment to which its market price is volatile. It is somehow a all in one feature digital currency.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
As a bounty hunter that receives token it is always paired with bitcoin after listing in an exchange but this does not excite me actually so I buy bitcoin in a centralized exchange and transferred it to cold wallet and thinking of it as an investment. I was still lucky though for holding it after the market crash in 2018-2019 where BTC falls to 3K USD. I was having hard time on it and getting emotional to which it led me to decide to end in bitcoin investment and accept losses. Yet, I did not and think and lost it already so I just keep them now until such bitcoin were still good up to present.

3. How did you get on the forum?
As a friend of mine told me about this forum of opportunity to earn. I immediately registered and failed at first because I had a bad IP address and told my friend that I could not be able to join the forum. He had been persistent and told me to try to register an account in an internet cafe. It was successful and later on he was teaching me the basic of bitcoin on how to make transaction and tried it making some test like owning a wallet, buying small amount of bitcoin and then later on how to transfer bitcoin. The forum then become one of the source of information about cryptocurrency related threads then began to join signature campaign that pays BTC as I enjoy getting more BTC may it be little or not. This is considered as sideline since I have my full time work as a frontliner and have some time especially in our breaks to make some posts and earn small amount of BTC.

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
I think it is the scam. There are many scammers inside and outside the forum. Since they can't overwrite blockchain due to the fact that its content is so huge that it could not be rewrite for those who like to attempt in doing it. Hence, it resorted for others to make some programs like Universal man-in-the-middle phishing kit that creates sophisticated fake site and will be able to collect important details of users that will going to get in that fake site. Legal actions could not also be applicable to all countries around the world due to different forms of government and still cryptocurrency is in the process of adaptation like other countries did by accepting it and making it legal or being regulated.

4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
It gains a positive impact to the community because this can add fun and excitement in every time a user will bet especially in sports, esports and other gambling platforms like casino. However, not all gambling platforms could do good to the users and this is still subject for regulations by a third party. If this happen in my own opinion that betting in decentralized form is a better way than betting in locally where you know the bettors and could create conflict in the bets like money was not paid, or they got misconception during the bets and the likes.

4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
Yes, I have been like 2 years now and I know how bitcoin works. I did some research though and found out that bitcoin could never be remove not now that there are many users like the bitcoin. Even in the countries where bitcoin is ban to which some users still manage to own bitcoin and continue to enjoy the use of bitcoin just by being careful not getting caught. Yet, it so hard to get caught with someone doing bitcoin unless their government will going to man all their community for possible bitcoin holdings. I do not think also that they will going to prioritize on the problem with bitcoin because it could not do harm on user and most government are facing in solving greater priorities for their country.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
It has been effective and minimize the number of users with their alt accounts, minimize the number of shitposts, and encourage other users to contribute meaningfully for the forum. This is base on my experience after shitposting in the forum from getting tokens but found out later that it was just a waste of time and resources. Then just recently I made some research on learning cryptocurrency and led me to earn few merits just recently. I was always thankful to that and had been looking forward to do more good in the forum than shitposting.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
Actually those legendary rank users that are actively participating in discussions are worth it to learn from them. I have always followed their replies especially in technical aspect of bitcoin like the process of doing bitcoin transaction from new transaction - I am still searching about what is bitcoin, bitcoin network, node, blockchain, mempool, mining, Transaction output, Key addresses, digital signatures and signing in bitcoin message(done). I always follow users like @DdmrDdmr, @CryptopreneurBrainboss, @OgNasty, @suchmoon, @Loycev and many to mention which supports low rank and award merits if they think that user has potential. I see now many new users ranking up and I was left behind. But not to worry about it may the turtle be slow in ranking up I think I will be able to rank up. I just think. LOL

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
Audio message, real time active users discussion, and I guess the more user friendly feature to use of the forum. Anyway, the forum is good at the moment and I think the only problem with here are the bounty hunters promoting scam projects and adding spam posts in the major boards discussion.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
I had invested in projects sad to say I get scam. It was an emotional lose because I was hoping I could earn in that project but it was not. I was new that time and had been hype by other users. Anyway, the best thing is that I learn and still alive and kicking here in the forum wanting to learn more and earn at the same time by investing solely on bitcoin.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
Big loss rather, I was investing in an ICO project that was being hype by the users who brought the project and actually it was not only me but there are other new users as well that has been scam in that project. Again, I have move on already on it and started already to enjoy investing solely on bitcoin and nothing else from the list of coins to chose from.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
Defi projects are really good. You have in control in everything and I think this can be one of the new trend in doing transactions related to Defi. The bad news are that scammers now also bring Defi projects and the only intention is to scam so no way I could trust Defi projects as well but only to bitcoin. I will only going to trust in bitcoin.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
Yes, We can still make transaction by being anonymity and that is one of the best thing of being in a decentralized. No one will going to suspect on you will going to make a comment about. It is all about privacy and I do not want to make public in any of my future transactions especially if it involves in bitcoin. Though I do not have much bitcoin if you will going to think for only small part of it that make me somehow happy in holding it.

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
https://learnmeabitcoin.com/I do like more on browsing or using google search engine and found this site that talks about bitcoin in layman's term or technically I like the way it was been explain to newbie in cryptocurrency like me.

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
Bitcion, bitcoin and bitcoin. Maybe one good crypto to consider is ethereum especially if 2.0 ETH will be release. I do not know when but it is already delayed. I wish they could make it this year 2020 for many are excited for it to happen.

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
14K USD. It can't get that much because others will be withdrawing their bitcoin to start life with when covid19 cure will be available at the end of the year 2020.

15. P.S. (Optional)
Bitcoin is one of the unique invention that has been created by Satoshi Nakamoto. He realized that with the third party service maneuvering the funds from the clients like converting it into such they can make use of it or earn and only give to the depositers or clients money low interest of return unlike in bitcoin that aside from the users had full control over of his funds, it has no third party involve and earnings will only for the bitcoin holder and no other parties will be benefited to it since bitcoin as considered as investment. Other than that bitcoin is being primarily used as a digital currency that will be used in terms or option for payment online. This is the best currency so far that could be exchange to other currencies as well. All in one currency that has ever been made for now.

I would also like to thank @zasad for the opportunity to be part of this activity.

Thank you all for participating, I have a few smerits. If you have the opportunity, please support new members.
Interview must go on

Thanks to the Bitcointalk community and to Zazad, this are my answers to the questions, I hope you can all read to the end

---

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
By interested, I'll take it to mean the moment I had heard and seen enough for me to decide to join the Bitcoin community, when was in mid 2018, and why is: I'm pretty inquisitive, so the moment I read about Bitcoin on the internet, I decided the technology reposited so much for someone like myself to benefit from, as a student from a country with a poor economy and high level of inflation, I considered Bitcoin as an alternative to my devaluing fiat currencies and since then, I've adopted the technology without any recourse to regret that decision I made two years back.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
IIRC I've not bought Bitcoin from an exchange before, I mostly deal via p2p, as I consider it less intrusive into my privacy. when was in 2019, and why was because I had 'earned' all my Bitcoins prior to then, without giving fiat in exchange, I wanted to experience buying Bitcoin with my money, as well as Increase my btc stack in my portfolio, I've been buying little by little since that time, but most of my Bitcoins have been earned through one service or the other.

3. How did you get on the forum?
This is the best part of this questionnaire, cause I consider this forum the best annex of my Bitcoin journey, cause without this forum, I'm sure I would have lost every single sat I have earned/bought and I must have left the Bitcoin network by now, calling it a scam as many people do from the 'outside'. In the university I had this tech savvy friend who was always on his laptop looking to learn new things and inventions, that friend of mine found out about Bitcointalk and shared that knowledge with me, and since we both were already interested in Bitcoin, we needed guidance and we found out this forum can provide us with that as well as an opportunity to also earn more Bitcoins for ourselves, I know it's prolly not possible, but anyone who owns, invests or trades in btc or cryptocurrencies ought to be on btt, and I'm happy to be part of this community.

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
There are many factors hampering Bitcoin adoption:
a)The media, the media portrays the wrong side of Bitcoin to people who aren't in the network yet, there have been so many publications of scams in Bitcoin, without actually mentioning the follies/mistakes of the victims, this somewhat discourages new adopters to the network
b)the risk concern of losing funds, joining the Bitcoin network comes with a whole lot of responsibility of protecting and securing your funds yourself that many people do not want to take up
C)lack of understanding, for example there are many people who are yet to join the network because they are yet to fully understand the technicalities or what the network is all about, if these people actually get a clearer knowledge, I think they will join the bitcoin community and Increase btc adoption.

4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
If gambling companies are advertising their services on the forum, there is no problem with that, people are quite used to gambling, and will do so even without this companies advertising on btt, many casinos now support crypto on their site, it helps in adoption, and advertising on the forum benefits all parties, it's a win-win for all, the forum, the companies, the campaign participants helping with the advertisement, btc adoption and all.

4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
Obviously two years and above is quite a long time, actually enough to get a degree, lol. Special education isn't needed, but of course we all have different learning speed, but two years should be enough time even for an average Joe to understand btc investments and other whatnots involved in it. And mind you that success in investment doesn't always depend on how long one has been on the network, though experience ensures you make the right decision 9 out of 10.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
They do not harm the forum in any way. The merit system doesn't have any flaw from my own point of view, though it can be frustrating at the beginning if one starts of by not earning them when truly putting effort, but that should not discourage such users, as going forward they'll start to get noticed and merited likewise. The merit system has also mitigated a large chunk of the spam on the forum, atm, I don't see anything to be changed as regards the merit system. As for signature campaigns, If a good user will contribute to the forum and earn bitcoins for doing so, then so be it, that's exactly my thoughts on signature campaigns on the forum, just like the merit system, it has no flaws as far as I know and nothing should be changed in that aspect.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
The most useful topic is a subjective question, we all have areas we put more of our interest on, so "most useful topics" will vary from user to user, for me I'll say it's the topic that introduced the merit system, by theymos: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/merit-new-rank-requirements-2818350 the merit system changed quite a lot of things on the forum and has numerous pros like I had said earlier in the question on the merit system. As for most helpful users:
I'll start with cryptopreneurbrainboss, who is a wonderful asset to the btt/btt African community, a great campaign manager and good merit source. The next is Hhampuz, I'll have to say his contributions to this forum is somewhat 'underrated', to handle the number of campaigns/contests he does on the forum and do it smoothly deserves great praise, he is an asset to this community by a long mile, fillippone, one of the fastest merit earners on the forum with more than 4000 merits, he inspires me and many others to do better and I'll conclude with LoyceV and DdmrDdmr, their tools and statistics have made the forum easier to use and understand.

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
The forum is perfect imo, I see so many users asking for the new software to come sooner, I'll be happy if it does, but I love the forum the way it is and I wouldn't implement anything new if I'm giving the honors.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
No, I stopped trading long ago and the only project I believe/invest in for now is Bitcoin.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
Okay story time, when I was new in the Bitcoin community, I believed in diversification back then and I bought so much altcoins/tokens that managed to list their coins on exchanges, I held them for quite a while, waiting for them to go to the 'moon', I literally had to watch my money go to zero, as those tokens lost all their value and were worth nothing after many months, that's prolly why I focus solely on Bitcoin atm due to that loss.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
I don't know too much about the DeFi system, I didn't bother to look deeper into it, but I think it's investors should be careful and understand it could prolly end up like ico/ieo, after all the hype turned into a total scam with many users losing their funds via that process.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
I believe in anonymity, I think it's necessary for me, and I try as much as possible to give very little about my real self away on the internet, privacy/anonymity/security should be a necessity for all Bitcoin users. a treatise on Bitcoin and privacy by fillippone is a good thread for everyone to read and understand it's importance.

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
I'm yet to finish any Bitcoin/crypto book, but for now, I'm currently reading "Mastering Bitcoin", I've not had the time to finish it, but however slow I am, I'll keep reading it till I'm done.

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
Bitcoin, and maybe ethereum, the third will be either Bitcoin or ethereum, lol.

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
Bitcoin will cost around 17-19k at the end of the year, while 2021 will see it cross the previous ath.

15. P.S. (Optional)
The forum is a wonderful place to learn quite a lot of things about Bitcoin, everyone should have fun here as they acquire the knowledge the forum gives us all, thanks all.

Thanks zasad@ for Such a great idea of taking interviews. I hope it will be helpful and my answers are here:

1.When and why did you become interested in crypto currencies?
In 2013 smooth I worked at a coffee shop and I was trying to do something different.So,I shared my thoughts with some of my firends.Then I got the suggestion of invest in bitcoin.This is the first time when I heard about it and asked about it.I get some information from one of my elder brother and I googled about bitcoin.Then I slowly learnt about it and get involved in crypto.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
June 21 in 2015 I was planning to make second way to earn and I buy some bitcoin to hold.Bitcoin is the most popular and value able  currency in crypto world.The price of this coin was increasing continuously everyday and it was fabulous,I was a newbie so it means lot for me then and later I also get a thousand $ profit at such a very short time.

3. How did you get on the forum?
The time I was searching about the crypto currency I was reading a lot of articles and  I get that link.I was a bit curious because I was exploring  crypto currency.So,firstly I started with reading  the bitcoin disscussion topics.I find the words interesting and helpful. Later on I created my account and Successfully I am here.

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of crypto currencies?
A good number of people came into the crypto world after hearing about  bitcoin and dynamic explosion.So they have interest in  bitcoin but they do not know about the cryptography and its policy.So newbies and new investors feel hesitage and it  actually prevents the adoption of crypto currency.

4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
Gambling is something where people spends the  crypto currencies  like BTC,ETH or another altcoins.
This is an excellent option for the gamblers because this total safe for them.Besides the community is getting  bigger and the uses of crypto currency is increasing day by day.So this is profitable and gambling projects  has a  positive effect on the development of the forum.

4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
Crypto currency is something where the most necessary  thing is will power and interest about the subject. It can be different  for different people.Well observing and a bit of hard work of 2-3 years  are way enough to jnvest in crypto.overall the activity,attention and hardwork pays here.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
I find those important for the forum because merit method is exposing someone.We can simply justify and select someone for certain works  and it helps a lot to the forum  and its community to choose the perfect person for the perfect work and other one is continuously motivating.

6.The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
I used to read a lot of article in BTT and these were helpful  for me because I entered on a topic after reading it's title.As all are helpful and I get benifit in my life so I will not take specific name of the topic.

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
When I started to read the topics at BTT forum.I read a lot of article about the off topic sector nd even some were just  talking like they were using any social media app for thier private conversation.So this thing should be removed and except those I find everything alright.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
I am actually a regular trader.I do mark the special projects and invest  here and trade on the right time when it gave me profit and if it's go down then I just hold the certain project  and wait for the time to hit.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
This actually  a funny and lucky experience  of my life.Eth was that time only 200$ or something more than that.I buy Some Ethereum and   and just trying to focus on other altcoins besides the bitcoin of course and  in just one month I get the best thing which was like 700$ per ethereum and I got  my first best profit.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
Decentralized Finance includes digital assets, protocols, smart contracts, and dApps built on a blockchain....Think of DEFI as an open financial ecosystem where you can build various small financial tools and services in a decentralized
manner.This is a very good idea on itslef.Nowadays most of the projects managers and people are into defi ecosystem  but it will not be that much till the 2020.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
It's not a place where My details are need to expose then surely I will not expose myself.

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
Most of the knowledge about crypto I get from the google actually.I also looked to buy a book of crypto currency but I get the enough information and it even I need to know something Then I find it and read to learn and full fill my works.

13. Advise 3 crypto currencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
First one is surely the bitcoin,30-40% of my invest is in bitcoin and I give this a priority because of its performance and demand.second one is Ethereum which is likely the
smooth/Lite version of bitcoin.Third one is Xrp.

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
As the mining of bitcoin left only 2.5 Million and after that the supply will be lower and the demand of bitcoin is already like high like moon. So it can increase like 15k/17k $ at the end of 2020.

15. P.S. (Optional)
To become successful at this platform One must have the certain qualities  like Patience,observation power and should be active to develop.Hard work will pay the best thing in your life.

Thanks zasad for an opportunity to be a part of this. Let's roll...

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
I think it was in December of 2016 that I first heard about the term, "cryptocurrency". I was listening to a radio programme and some guys were talking about an ongoing seminar which they wanted people to attend. At first I didn't pay them any attention as I quickly concluded that it was one of those ponzi schemes. They listed Bitcoin, ETH and Swisscoin as coins they would teach people how to buy. However, something they said a few minutes later about Bitcoin caught my attention. It was about the price of Bitcoin being more valuable than the US dollar. They put the figure of one Bitcoin at $750 or so. I doubted them but decided to google it. I mean, anything that had a value greater than the US dollar deserved a looking, right? And that was it. I got glued.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
I earned my first Bitcoin on this forum. It was a minor task I did in 2017 for a legendary member then. I was barely three months old and didn't even know how to create a simple Bitcoin wallet and copy out a receiving address, lol. Any Satoshi I have till date have been earned, and not bought.

3. How did you get on the forum?
Getting on this forum was by accident. I googled Bitcoin after it pricked my interest that December and as usual several options came up, including Bitcointalk forum. I realised it was a forum and I clicked on it because I wanted somewhere I could interact with others and seek clarifications to so many questions swerving in my head. I suspected getting on the forum would be something that could be worth it so I decided to register on a remarkable day. I waited and did it on my birthday anniversary. I didn't even know of the post to earn opportunity until I got on board. Double benefits, you would say.

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
Government legislation is the only tool slowing down mass adoption.

4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
Even theymos will tell you gambling advertisements bring in revenue for the site, steadily. It's a plus for the forum. I also think advertisements on this forum is a strong pull, both for advertisers and participants. It's a sort of encouragement for me here and this is a contributory factor to the popularity of this forum.

4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
It's not the size of the dog that matters in a fight but the fight in the dog. The number of years really doesn't matter but the acquired set skills. Also, remember that our levels of grasping stuff differ. What takes one 2 years to understand might take another 5 years or more. To that effect I think even less than two years is ok. But the necessary skills to succeed must be acquired first before venturing into trading.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
I do believe that the merit system has, to a great extent, achieved its purpose on the forum which is spam control. Also, it has drastically reduced account farming as accounts don't easily rank up any more. We no longer get to see hundreds of new farm accounts getting registered on weekly basis now. However, I think it's subjective like beauty lying in the eye of the beholder.

On signature campaigns? Wow! This, obviously, is the live wire of this forum. A lot of users got here to earn (I know there are others who didn't). Remove signature campaigns and you will see a lot of users and even advertisers go away. It's a kind of incentive for both users and  advertisers here as this is the biggest crypto forum there is now.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
Apart from reading the sticky topics, I like to visit the Meta and Beginners' boards. That's where I find any recent happenings on the forum to acquit myself with. The "most helpful users" part is a bit an unending list for me. I will like to single out a few like LoyceV. Though I haven't had any direct dealing with the user (don't know the right gender), I have been enlightened several times by topics and contributions from LoyceV. S/he is everywhere on the forum and making constructive comments. Sometimes I wonder if the user actually unwinds outside this forum 🤔 Hhampuz comes next in my books. I won't say much about him so it doesn't look like I am ass licking him as I am currently in one of his campaigns. But I just have this to say — he's gentle, humane and easy to interact with. CryptopreneurBrainboss is another dude whose posts I have benefited from. He's been really helpful to our location board. Charles-Tim, and a host of other guys too.

This forum is gradually becoming a second home for me. I have crossed paths online with a lot of good natured users. Many friends here, I can say.

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
1. The Trust System should be revisited. I would like a situation where two or three other DT members can override the negative tag left on a user by another DT member if it's done in error. Sometimes, tags are left in retaliation or without a genuine reason. Other times the member who leaves the tag disappears after that and no one is able to take it off even after the case is resolved. A case in reference is the tag left on Bestchange by TMAN. For months now TMAN hasn't come online.
2. More local boards should be created. It will be nice to get one for Nigeria.
3. Bounty threads should be sanitized to have a semblance of what we have in the signature campaigns. There are lots of spamming and scamming going on there.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
I do both. However, I am cautious on investments. After getting my fingers burnt in the 2017 hype with ICOs, I tend not to invest in any project at the infantry stage any more no matter how great I think that project is until it is listed on a credible exchange.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
My big profit would be the 950 airdropped GHOST by McAfee I got just for holding ESH. It's free money, ain't it? No sweats 😋. My big loss (I hope it's the last, anyway) was when I sold all my 270 BNB in 2017 to buy Regalcoin as I wanted to get into passive income through lending. I bought almost at its ATH and a few days later the whole thing became a scam. I lost over $600 in that.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
It's a trend just like ICOs, IEOs, Lending Coins just to mention but three. The momentary frenzy will soon slow down or die off completely.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
It's a precaution for me giving the prevalence of criminality in today's world with kidnappers and hackers everywhere. I don't want exposure.

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
I haven't read any real book on crypto apart from crypto news.

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
1. Bitcoin
2. Any (credible) exchange token below $2
3. Curio

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
Making any prediction on this would be sounding like John McAfee and his larger than life predictions and I don't want to fail to eat my d*ck if my prediction doesn't come through. I will pass on this.

15. P.S. (Optional)
The mind is a terrible thing to waste. Embrace others but don't lose your individuality.

Hi, zasad@ I am exceptionally glad to be important for your meeting.

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
I first became interested in cryptocurrencies in 2009.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
I first bought to hold bitcoins in 2016. A friend of mine was able to convince me that investing in Bitcoin is more profitable than keeping money in the bank.

3. How did you get on the forum?
A friend of mine who inspired me to buy Bitcoin gave me this Bitcointalk forum link. Then I registered here and joined in Bitcointalk forum.

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
I think scam projects are the biggest culprit behind this. Cryptocurrencies are not yet legalized in many countries. So there remains a problem with government support in different countries.

4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
Gambling is never viewed favorably in our society. If you can make a good earn from here, I don't think the loss is anything. Greed is the biggest problem here. I look at it positively from my point of view.

4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
Two or three years of experience in cryptocurrency is not bad, but there is no end to the experience, isn't it But the first thing is that there is no end to education so you have to constantly learn about new technologies and gain more experience. In other words, a lot depends on your skills.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
While the merit system is a little difficult for newcomers, it is not very difficult for everyone. If you can post very good quality, it is not very difficult to get merit here. Signature camping is a great medium to promote. It always helps almost all the members to stay active in the forum. Never does it seem harm to the forum to me.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
Different topics here have helped me in many ways at different times. I got the most help from Beginners and Help. I don't want to name the most helpful loved one because mentioning one person may not make the other person angry. So I thank all the big brothers and all the loved ones who always help me.  

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
I need to zoom in so as to peruse appropriately. Something I would do is to make it portable responsiveness and could spare information costs as transferred pictures would be resized to fit. Good cause dedicatedly attempting to help the Bitcointalkers life upliftment. Basic challenge dependent on positions with fascination of reward on April's day or the date for discussion commemoration.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
I was an everyday dealer except later quit exchanging in light of the fact that I continued loosing in the vast majority of my exchanges, in as much as you are impeccable in some specific fields, there ought to be the end point and simply that. After endless misfortunes, I chose to pick interest in some balance out cryptographic money ventures and that is actually what I do work now. At times exchanging on the trade however I didn't contribute.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
I think in 2017 preceding the bull run, as the starting excursion goes in the crypto business. I stored a total of $600 into Cryptopia trade as it was harmed that timeframe. I would take benefits rather than simply holding indiscriminately. Likewise, it would assist me with settling on more educated choices.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
The DeFi framework is another hotspot for con artists to come into the business, really, its posting cycle came as a treat for Binance since they would prefer not to free clients, the most entertaining of everything is that, practically the entirety of the DeFi recorded are radically down for - 98% up until now. I need more data for a last answer.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
I won't compose my name and address here, obviously, and we ought to do everything we can to restrict the measure of information we send. I have met them, I work with some of them. Actually, it's a matter of trust, who and why you trust. Obviously, I will never impart my own data to anybody for reasons of individual wellbeing.

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
I don't have the foggiest idea when I last time read a book. I generally get data on proficient gateways. I can't suggest you any book since I havnt read any, however unquestionably, I will advise you to hit search on Google for digital money books.

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
1. Etherium
2. Bitcoin
3. XRP

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
I figure it will around $13000-$16000

15. P.S. (Optional)
It will become familiar with consistently and develop and it will all meet up inevitably

Thank you for the permission to join the interview @zasad@

Questions:
1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
The first thing I heard cryptocurrency is on the year of 2018 because of one of my classmate, he told me about some things about cryptocurrency and how does it work but I am not really interested that time because I am only focused on my studies, so basically I ignored him to try it and to join this forum and then way back May 2020, while having a good conversation with my friend, he recommended this forum saying that this is good for earning money and learning cryptocurrency and because of that I created my account to this forum and it really makes me so interested in cryptocurrency because of the things that I have learned here. I also joined on some forums and some websites where I can earn a little bit of cryptocurrency, I became more interested in it because it helps me in my finances and there is a big possibility that our country will accept this as an alternative financial system.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
I bought my first bitcoin may be in the month of June because one of my friends sent me a link for an investment website, it offers to double my money for only 24 hours but nothing happens, I got scammed from the website and I lost my 0.001 BTC, even her was shocked because she did not expect it as a scam.

3. How did you get on the forum?
Just like what I have said in the first question, it is all because of my friend who told me to join here. I am so thankful to him because I learned a lot from here and it makes me more active in the crypto world.

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
Fear and lack of knowledge prevent the mass adoption of cryptocurrencies, just like in our country there are many people who are afraid to explore in crypto world because of thinking that it is a scam. We don't have also an organization that helps us to introduce the good things that we may acquire from cryptocurrency.

4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
As we all know gambling is already part of many people in this world, there are many people who gamble because of entertainment and the money as well. There are also big names who really do gamble and it will help the community to grow, besides many of our signature campaign is from gambling so I think it is a good move for the community to become well known by many people.

4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
I think 2-3 years of experience is a good advantage to have a successful investment, that is already a long experience and by that, for sure you already learned a lot of things that will help you to invest properly. With that 2-3 years experience, you can also use it to take special education which will really help you as a bitcoin user.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
I don't think that the merit system and signature campaigns will harm the forum, well in fact the merit system makes the forum organized and full of useful information. The merit system also helps us to build good characteristics of a person, just like me, it helps me to put effort and time into the things that I need to do. It also helps me gain knowledge because whenever I create a topic I really do research first so I can have merit as well, signature campaigns are really good as well because it helps the forum become more popular around the world.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
Unofficial list of (official) Bitcointalk.org rules, guidelines, FAQ this is the most useful forum topic because without the rules the forum won't work so well, the forum will not be organized and there would be many spammers in the forum. It also helps every newbie understand the nature of the forum and avoid getting banned.

Regarding the most helpful users, all can be the most helpful based on what you really want and need to learn in the world of crypto, there are many people who already created good and quality topics that help me in the world of crypto. Best regards to all the admin who observe the cleanliness of the forum.

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
Thank you for this question, it helps me and other member speak out what they want to add in this forum.
1. One thing that I notice upon my first time of creating an account in this forum is that they don't have 2FA security unlike other forums or social media accounts. I am hoping that they will enable this feature in this forum to avoid getting hacked.
That is the only thing that I want to have in this forum because I am already happy and contented working here.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
I am not active in it because I don't have too much money to do it.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or a big loss?
I am still new in the world of crypto, one and only of my big loss is when I was scammed by an investment website, that is all.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
DEFI system is really good and should be implemented in many countries because it helps us for having good and secure online transactions.
There are also many people who don't want or too lazy to go outside just to have a manual transaction or going to any banks, Defi system would avoid those things.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
We really need this but because of this there are many scammers and hackers become active in criminal activities because of thinking that they won't be caught by authorities.

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
I don't read any cryptocurrency book because I already contented on the things that I can learn from the forum and searching on the internet.

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
1. Bitcoin
2. Ethereum
3. Bitcoin
I really love and trust bitcoin.

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
I am hoping that it is above $20k

P.S. Keep on learning, let us make this forum grown and best.

Thanks zasad@ for giving me chance for interview.

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
It was 2017 i just completed my MBA. That time i was just trying to find something on internet how can i make a good amount of money - like online earning i mean by that i can survive good one day i found something called cryptocurrency and i studied on it from some blogs and YouTube videos and i started from there.


2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
The main genuine cost increment happened in July 2010 when the valuation of a bitcoin went from around $0.0008 to $0.08 for a solitary coin. On 22 May 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz made the primary certifiable exchange by purchasing two pizzas in Jacksonville, Florida, for 10,000 BTC, a sum that would be almost $750 thousand whenever held in March 2013. The greater part of my income were changed over into books that I have been utilizing as of recently so I can at any rate help my father in moderating his costs. Rather than utilizing the cash he gets from his business to purchase my materials, he can apportion it to my more youthful siblings and for our every day needs.


3. How did you get on the forum?
I chose to enlist since, this spot was not normal for most gatherings. Commercial center products and ventures including bitcoin are empowered here, essentially all bitcoin administrations on the web root from declarations on Bitcointalk. I was simply perusing a few surveys and proposals about various altcoins in the web when I discovered this network.


4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
I comprehend their viewpoint that they would not have any desire to receive a decentralized type of cash which is liberated from control yet severe disallowances will in general demolish this potential. Besides, its instability is the thing that makes most speculators dread for their ventures. This sort of antagonistic word is deliberately gotten out by certain individuals which is seen each day in the crypto market.


4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
A great deal of advertisements are being appeared in the discussion that is identified with betting. I think it two perspectives, positive and negative. They offer for it. In the event that you are discussing the individuals, there may be a few people who are dependent on betting. Promoting betting ventures will in general be invaluable as it gives presentation and a type of diversion to clients who look for betting. Shockingly, most betting locales these days have been exploiting the publicity of digital currencies as they will in general trick individuals into losing their cash.


4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
I think it relies upon the individual to individual and how much everybody is eager to actually put their time and exertion in examining the market and learning. On the off chance that anybody difficult work this spot I think they get their opportunity following a half year included however for the some even the entire life would be insufficient to figure out how to make gainful venture. What one individual can realize in one month, someone else won't have the option to learn in one year. So it is hard to give a particular time here, on the grounds that everybody decides to secure information all alone.


5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
Numerous individuals have been continually bantering on whether this really helps the discussion or not. Frankly, the Merit framework is a gift to this gathering in isolating a few spammers. Legitimacy pay can enable a business to separate between the exhibition of high and low performing representatives and prize the presentation of the better workers. Mark crusade it is a decent advancement where this gathering is helpful for clients as well as different stages that advance through mark missions and I see a considerable lot of them use marks with progress on that stage.


6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
Gathering is an obligatory class or gathering for points. There might be more than one Forum in the course or undertaking site. Themes are required inside Forums all together for site members to have the option to post, perused, and answer to messages. I learned a large portion of the information there on digital currencies under that board. I accept the starting themes in the novices segment of the discussion are the most helpful for new individuals and for me by and by the most valuable points are crypto investigates from cryptofrka and various helpful posts from LoyceV in Meta.


7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
I am satisfied with the systems that are currently in operation. I just said one thing is to introduce a system to catch scam projects so that no scam projects will be in the BitcoinTalk forum.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
I don't have much interest in trading. I always like to buy Cryptocurrency trading on an exchange and hold them for the future.


9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
Yes , I invested a lot of money in trading on an exchange . In the market, each one was supposed to cost about a dollar. But it has turned my hopes into utter despair. Like about a 1000$ I’ve lost here.


10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
Obviously I consider this to be an insurance in light of the fact that my legislature has not yet endorsed Bitcoin. Bitcoin has been announced illicit here. I am not that accomplished or very much expressed in the DEFI environment so I won't remark on this one however I couldn't imagine anything better than to find out about this biological system.


11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
Of course I see this as a precaution because my government has not yet approved Bitcoin. Bitcoin has been declared illegal here.


12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
I haven't read any books about cryptocurrency yet. I usually try to find the solution to any problem from the internet. I get all the information through Google.


13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
I think BTC will consistently be my main and I trust btc the most.

1. Ethereum
2. Bitcoin
3. Bitcoin Cash


14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
End of this year Can go at $15000 . This is an idea we have.


15. P.S. (Optional)

Refrain from being greedy. Help people, ALLAH will help you.

This thread is really engaging. It looks like I'm reading a script before go on stage. Op has done well with this thread. Keep furnishing us with the interviews.

Thank you zasad@ for the great opportunity to be interviewed,
I appreciate your thread. Thanks.

---

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
I have heard about cryptocurrency specifically bitcoin in  2016 at the time when Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM) ponzi scheme was active in my country,  it was an alternative medium of payments outside using fiat deposit method, although, users that choose bitcoin payment method were less and was mostly foreigners, so I quickly pick interest, researched more about it and found out its an electronic digital currency that sends and receives money faster in micro seconds more than my fiat currency.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
In continuation, after having interested in bitcoin and having the full concept of it operation system, I purchased a sum of 0.003BTC worth $55.55 when bitcoin price was $600 in 2016 or so, the reason why I bought it was the purpose of using it in ponzi schemes which at the end I lost it until I found a legitimate ways of using bitcoin.

3. How did you get on the forum?
Ever since I lost bitcoin from the internet through those scam schemes, I got on the zeal of researching more on how to accumulate more bitcoin which I found out airdrop,  faucets, e.t.c, at the time of participating in airdrop, participants were instructed to create proof of authentication (POA) and comments positively on the project ANN thread and it's always a compulsory task to be done, that was the exact time I registered on this reputable forum

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
I don't really think mass adoption of cryptocurrencies would be prevented at any given point in time, it had experienced several hindrance and I can remember when China stopped ICO crowd funding because of scammers, random that's the only factor that could prevent the mass adoption of cryptocurrencies in the world

4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
I don't really think advertising gambling projects on the forum had negative effects on the community, in my country, an average age below 18 is not eligible to play any gambling games or what so ever, and I strongly believed that every user here is above the age of 18 and liable to partake in any gambling platforms without harm on any community members, AFIAK, gambling signature campaigns had generated high income and revenue on the forum so far just as the physical casino games is generating in Las Vegas and some many heavy gambling states in the world.

4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
Education matters to everyone and it never ends, an expert in some certain field of study still needs education because new trends and updates comes up everyday, let's
take and instance, an old investor from 2010-2013 making it 3 years in cryptocurrency isn't aware of DeFi projects and its working system now because s(he) had refused to be educated and think it's enough to go with what s(he) had learnt. So, every investors both old and new will keep on to be educated to be successful, the learning should be versatile in every angle except for some lucky investors that every trade is favoured.


5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
The implementation of the merit since January 2018 actually separated the sheep from the flock, the weaker ones from the stronger ones, and brings out the best from a user. The forum is same as users and vice versa, therefore merit system makes user in undergoing some brainstorming skills before ranking up to the next level, I'm an article writer and was never a poet but the merit system grooms me because I want to earn it for the purpose of ranking up. The merit system is doing more better than harm because it brings the best out of you, makes you real and believe you can do more better yourself. In addition, signature campaigns has never harm the forum in any way, instead it helps popularise the forum and helps build users in some certain boards, for instance, gambling signatures builds non gamblers in understanding what casino, slot, dice and even plinko means.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
Sincerely speaking, I have come across useful topics in the forum but as such some talented members are graded accordingly, the first time I became conversant with the forum memebers, i noticed some ground breaking threads created and their useful impacts on the members, I have choosen @fillippone as the most useful user,  @DdmrDdmr @LoyceV @CryptopreneurBrainboss and others numerous to mention. I admired their footsteps, their writing pattern and I think they are the most helpful users in the forum.


7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
1. Implementation of the Demerit system.
2. Implementation of the African local board as African are finding ways into the industry now
3. Not up to three though, I think my two above is okay to go with.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
I believe in performing and doing what I have desire in, probably, you should stick to what works for you, I was a day to day trader but later stopped trading because I kept on loosing in most of my trades, in as much as you are perfect in some certain fields, there should be the end point and nothing more than that. After so many losses, I decided to choose investment in some stabilise cryptocurrency projects and that's exactly what I do till now.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
In early 2017 before the bull run, as the beginning journey goes in the crypto industry, I felt I am strong enough to place a trade and sell successfully. I deposited a sum of $600 into Cryptopia exchange as it was hurt that period of time, unfortunately, I bought Plexcoin as low as 0.0000007 sat, which after two weeks, the coin price dropped down drastically to 0.0000002, where I decided to hodl the coin in hoping to get profit in market recovery, a month later Plexcoin was delisted from cryptopia and my $600 was gone. Although the exchange was later hacked and now at zero operations.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
The DeFi system is another source for scammers to come into the industry, actually, its listing process came as a treat for Binance because they don't want to loose customers, the funniest of all is that, almost all of the DeFi listed are drastically down for -98% so far. Surely, it is the time of Defi to reign, just as ICO, IEO did in the past, expect and prepare for new hype ecosystem in the future.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?

Its a nice thing to keep my anonymity a precautions because it prevents some gender base violence, race discrimination and other non-unionisms factors. I'm alright with the fact I remain anonymous.


12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
I have not neither read about cryptocurrency from a book nor from an online crypto books,  but by forcing oneself to fully understand the systems, I can't recommend you any book because I havnt read any, but definitely, I will tell you to hit search on Google for cryptocurrency books.

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
I believe in the first mover advantage coin and other outstanding and promising coin in the future. Those coins are;
BTC
ETH
ATOM


14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
So many market analysts had made it clear that bitcoin will hit back her previous most high or plus, this 2020 but it seems the analysis is going out of hand, the price of bitcoin had been stagnant between $10822 and $10600, I expect to be an average of $11500 at the end of 2020.

15. P.S. (Optional)
Do what ever works for you, and if you are trying to do something, do it to the higher point without hesitation.
Stay safe.

Hello.
I want to interview you. I hope for your consent.

Hello, zasad@ I am very happy to be part of your interview. It's always my pleasure.


Questions:

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
It's about 2016 (first quarter) when I first know bitcoin is a thing by which some sites are giving payments for their job/work. (when I was searching for how to earn money online) . But did not take it seriously at that time. After a few months first, of 2017 I take it seriously and try to discover how to earn this online.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
The real truth is that I did not buy even 1 cent of bitcoin from any site or from any human in our local. I just earn some bitcoin/crypto (not much though)

3. How did you get on the forum?
From the beginning of 2017 when I was searching for ways of earning from the internet, I found a man in social media who everyday posting on Facebook that he wants to sell his bitcoin, curiously asked him the source of earning/how actually he earned this bitcoin. The man was very friendly and refer me directly to this forum URL. when I first visit this forum I can not understand even I feel boring to read this forum. Even I thought it just only text how it can be a source of earning money. After a few months of registration, I stop visiting this site. Again asked the user the same things and the answer was also the same. take it seriously I try to read all things. This is how I get this forum actually. ( I hope maybe the man also reading this thread, want to thanks him again for referring this forum name to me) For full history of my get on this forum is posted here too.

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
It's already mass adopted as I think. But yeah there are a lot of reasons behind. Some are governance regulation, people don't think crypto as positive. (who actually basically does not know much about bitcoin)
 
4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
I think it as positive until advertising projects turned into scams. Because the more projects will come to advertise them in this forum the more popular will be this forum. And these gambling advertise doesn't force anyone to do gambling rather it helps to find the honest/trusted gambling site.
 
4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
2-3 years of experience is much enough to invest in cryptocurrency if you learn it correctly.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
Both are positive to me. If I talk about the merit system, It does not harm this forum would rather help to find the real user who actually knows about crypto as well as the rules of this forum. It also helps to reduce cheating with multiple accounts. And the signature campaign also plays a vital role to keep active this forum. We always say that first learn then earn, I also say this. But the real truth is we will not pass our time in this forum without doing other things IRL if there is not any benefit here. So people are passing their time here is directly or indirectly related to money. So, the signature campaigns or other social media campaigns are needed for keeping this forum active.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
There is a lot of forum topic is helpful to us. I can not list it here at this moment.

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
* Extra security with 2fa
* Fast admin support
* And yes I also want to see a new rank after legendary.
I am very happy with the current though.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
Sometimes trading on the exchange but I did not invest in any ico,ieo til now.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
I did not earn much profit in trading because I barely do trade. If you are talking about my big loss I will say it my big loss that I did not sell my all crypto during the hype in 2017/2018.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
The hype will not last long. And most of the Defi project will be turned into exit scams in near future.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
Both

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
I did not read any physical books related to cryptocurrency. Bitcointalk is acting as a crypto book to me. So I want to say it bitcointalk

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
*Bitcoin
*Bitcoin
*Bitcoin

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
I think it will around $15000-$16000

15. P.S. (Optional)
I am not good in English for why I can not express my thoughts in English with better wording. Hope you guys will take my interview in the right way.

Hello.
I want to interview you. I hope for your consent.



Thank you Op for your request.

I feel honoured to respond to these interview questions:

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
It was a long time. I guess maybe before or around 2015 but didn't know what it was about. Maybe like a ponzi then.

I became interested after I realized it could be an investment opportunity after joining our forum (bitcointalk.org)

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
I have not bought bitcoin. I earned some fraction of bitcoin through faucet until the faucet stopped. The funny thing for me about that faucet time was that, I didn't know it was actually a "real bitcoin". I thought it was scam (because I had already been scammed on a faucet altcoin) and I didn't want to waste my time, so I didn't concentrate more to hit on the faucet more, faster and harder for more coins  . I realized they were real bitcoin when I sold the fraction during this covid-19 hard time  

I also started earning bitcoin as a member rank on the forum.

3. How did you get on the forum?
I always knew that there are investment opportunities on the internet but how to locate the opportunity was the challenge. So I have had my mind on searching and surfing the net for a website to write on and get paid maybe in dollar but I was also being careful of scam. Then I didn't know about the forum until it popped up and even when saw it, I didn't register for some months until I was convinced to give it a try. After registering, I didn't write enough then because I was busy with other things. I procrastinated for some time. On many occations my post count equalled my activities. Because of my delays, the merit system hit me two weeks to jump into Senior member, lol

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
Fear of losing money to unknown faces. This is the traditional belief I think. Many would prefer to approach the banks to make complaint of their lost money and made to fill a form, and being hopeful to get the money back or refund. They want to see a face to make such complain too. Generally, fear of internet scam and the bubble myth.

4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
It is growing the forum in a positive direction. Although some might not like the gaming because of losing of their money but life itself is a risk. The latest aspect of the gambling game is the blockchain game and I think that will make the system and blockchain more close to the people.

4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
Such time is enough for adequate crypto experience. What matters is not our falling but our ability to rise again. A wise man learns from other's mistakes. No matter how you educate somebody without interest or passion, they won't grow in the skill tutored

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
The merit introduction is geared towards hard work to better the purpose of the forum and that is being achieved as users who are willing to be here, make effort to improve their work quality and to educate other users too from the posts made.
Signature campaigns have not harmed the forum, they have encouraged quality posts.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
I believe in learning and I think the posts in beginners section are more useful and many users have been helpful. This is a supportive forum.

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
1. New rank after legendary.  
2. Simple contest based on ranks with attraction of bonus on April's day or the date for forum anniversary.
3. A little bit of clean up in bounty scam.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
I'm planning to start trading.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
Little profit, big scam. I learnt not to buy ICO

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
I sniff another exit scam with very few being genuine.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
This is a decentralized system. Use escrow if in doubt

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
I have been reading on the forum and other means but I'm going to read mastering bitcoin.

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
As usual , bitcoin, etheruem and bitcoin

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
Anyway, bitcoin was predicted to be on the bull by this year after the halving, I think the covid-19 didn't allow huge investment. I don't think it will close below $10,000 by the end of this year.

15. P.S. (Optional)
If life is measured by accomplishments, most of us would have died in infancy

Hello.
I want to interview you. I hope for your consent.

Questions:
1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
I got to know about bitcoin as virtual currency with a big value by the end of 2015. I found it hard to believe, and later I started to explore and know the truth about its value.
2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
I didn't buy bitcoin, I earned through faucets. Later for the purpose of trading I bought bitcoin a little.
3. How did you get on the forum?
It all happened by accident, during the time of job search I met a friend and he introduced Bitcointalk to me.
4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
I state about my country (India), here people are ready to get adopted to technology. The government isn't supportive, and I personally state this based on the activities of government. In the name of digital growth government launched few digital payments application and people are used to it. Same as that if government legalize cryptocurrency usage people will easily get adopted to it.
4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
I find positive on advertising of gambling projects. Don't think just because I carry signature of a gambling site I support it. In one way or another everything associated with cryptocurrency helps in growth through circulation. Apart from this if cryptocurrencies weren't used into gambling the chance of the market to get such a growth is low in my view.
4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
Whether it is cryptocurrency or something else, I find experience/experiment to be the master than special education.
5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
Current Merit system makes the everything fair and our forum to be valued high than other forums. Only thing I find bad, I haven't got much merits.
Signature campaigns have been giving life and helping to achieve the small goals that requires Money. This is a common man's mind.
6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
I find more merits being shared for technical topics. Maybe that's more useful
There is lot many users, sometimes I used to follow their way of posting to get merits from them.
7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?

• Welcome Bonus to the Newbies
• Charity dedicatedly working to support the Bitcointalkers life upliftment
• Regional Head to popularize cryptocurrency in their country[/b]
  

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
Trading is preferred than investing on projects as I'm middle class living a calculated life.
9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
I got the opportunity to make good profit by the bull run out of few tokens earned participating on bounties. The bad luck, I didn't cashed out. So, its a big loss.
10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
Change is part of life. Same is with technology and other things. Initially we had ICO, then IEO and now DEFI. Transformation is part of everything, we need to get adopted to it.
11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
Anonymity is a big thing, more popular persons were into bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. If this wasn't anonymous they could've faced consequences, so being anonymity is good forever and required one for cryptocurrency.
12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
Sorry, I get updates out of cryptocurreny news sources available. Once started to read, but the technical things made me mad.
13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?

• EOS
• XRP
• ADA

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
Maybe around $12000 - $14000 if we don't get much negative news circulating around our network over the falling few months of time.

Thanks @zasad for the opportunity provided. Happy to take part in the interview.

Yeap, an interview from Jetcash, hilariousandco, Cyprus, Theymos will give this thread more beautiful revelation.
Op has thought wisely to get these interviews

Thanks for the opportunity to participate in one of your interview sessions. I duly appreciate .

---

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?

I first heard of Bitcoin in 2015 but I didn't really put much interest in it but then a year later, I stumbled upon an article about Bitcoin; calling it "The future of finance".  I kept reading articles about Bitcoin but just wasn't sure how to get involved in the ecosystem.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?

I bought my first Bitcoin using a small family savings in my possession at the time (I wish I bought more). I knew it was a silly thing to do but still went ahead to do it. Why? I was overly interested so I just trusted my guts. It was a risk I was willing to take.

3. How did you get on the forum?

I heard about a cryptocurrency called "The Billion coin - aka TBC" and the first thing I always do when I don't know something is to read or research on Google. I did just that and Bitcointalk.org had the top results on Google for a ponzi scheme shitcoin I searched for.

Even though I held a tiny position in Bitcoin then, The prices was really nothing to write home about so I kept looking for way I could invest them. It was around that time that there was a high influx of ponzi schemes of which a few had the option to invest using Bitcoin and I did (now with regrets).

I can't recall the thread now but the OP and replies gave me a clearer picture (It's nice to always read/know other people's opinion/stance on something) so there and then, I knew Bitcointalk would have answers to most of my bitcoin/blockchain/crypto related questions. I proceeded to create an account which was flagged due to my IP. That's how I got to know about the forum. It's the best yet "easy" decision of my life.




4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?

A lot of people are actually clueless about cryptocurrencies. Even when some of them try to get involved, most of the ecosystem tools and services require some technical know-how and not a lot of people have so knowledge or are willing to learn how.

Mass adoption would come when the process of owning crypto is newbie/grandma friendly. That's why I'm impressed with how far we have come now - cryptos being used in the real world.


4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?

My stance on this is a bit bias since I'm a gambler myself. Since majority of the projects being advertised on the forum are gambling related, it might be overwhelming to most newbies/users who are not really into gambling.

On my part, I have no problems with it. In fact, I'm a usual fan since I can now bet on my favorite games with my favorite cryptocurrencies and retaining my anonymity while at it.


4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?

To be honest.... It depends on a variety of factors and it differs from one person to another. I've been people who have hit the ground running in less 1 year in the space.

And yes, an investor needs special education before investing investing in order to make an informed decision. That's why people always say "DYOR - Do your own research". The market trends changes too. Back in 2017, we had the ICO era, then came the IEO era and currently we have DeFi and yield farming.  An investor needs to be constantly up to date with this trends, so yes, educating one's self would increase their odds to make better investment decisions.


5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?

Right now, the only thing stopping spam from taking over the forum is the merit system. Since the inception, it has helped to improve the quality of posts made by users. So it was (and still is) a welcomed development.

About signature campaigns, it true it also contributes to spam on the forum but that has changed over the years as we have more qualified managers who have an eye for quality posters. So people have to improve their post quality in order to take part in these campaigns.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?

There are tons of useful topics on the forum. The wealth of knowledge shared here is unmatched.

One topic I've found really useful lately the one by Ramotiv on crypto links - https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/--5264359 (This is just one of my "many" favorite topics).



7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?

1. Flagging new accounts from an IP just because someone did some "evil" with it in the past would be stopped (I don't know if this is still being done). Most users are just hearing about Bitcoin and want to be part of the community. Flagging their IP might be a turn-off.

2. Mobile responsiveness & redesign:
The current forum software displays in in desktop mode even on mobile (it appears zoomed out) so most times, I have to zoom in in order to read properly. One of the things I would do is to make it mobile responsiveness and could save data costs as uploaded images images would be resized to fit.

On the redesign, I like the current colors combos, it just needs a few touches here and there.

3. Nothing else. Apart from the aforementioned things above, I'm good with the everything the forum has to offer.



8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?

Yes. I invested in quite a few ICO projects in 2017 - early 2018. What seemed like good returns turned sour as I had the mentality of an investor which is to "Hodl" regardless of what/how returns were. I learned the hard way. So right now, I'm taking trading lessons (Technical and fundamental analysis). That way, I would take profits instead of just holding blindly. Also, it would help me make more informed decisions.


9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?

Like everyone else, I've had my fair share of wins and losses. My biggest loss and wins are not taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves (selling too soon and buying too early).

I held a couple of ico tokens during the epic crash in 2018 (90% - 95%). Till date, only a tiny fraction has come close to such price levels.


10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?

It's a welcome development to the space and could spearhead the movement for mass adoption but I don't think the current APY/ROIs/insane gains are sustainable in the long run. That's something I keep in mind.


11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?

I'd say it depends. I'm the type of person who loves operating from the back stage so yeah, it's a vital necessity but it ultimately depends on the situation.

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
"Mastering Bitcoin" by Andreas  Antonopoulos. It's actually the only cryptocurrency book I've read. Yet to finish it but I plan to

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?

When it comes to long term investments in crypto, the best bets have always been big capped projects. So these are my picks:

1. Bitcoin (YES)
2. Ethereum (Ethereum 2.0 is coming)
3. Pending. Haven't seen any project "yet" that I'll be comfortable leaving my money for long term like I do with Bitcoin and Ethereum.

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?

My personal bias for Bitcoin this year has always been $15K. But that was hampered by the covid-19 sell-offs so Bitcoin had to over 200%+ to get to the current price.

All things considered, Bitcoin should be worth $13K or more by the end of the year.


15. P.S. (Optional)
Learn to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. Risks? Yeah, there's risks in everything.

OK, thank you for questions, below are my answers.

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
I became interested in cryptocurrencies sometime in late 2013. A friend mentioned cryptocurrencies to me as a very interesting thing and future and although I was skeptical at first I eventually became a ''believer''.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
If I remember correctly it was the beginning of 2014 and I bought them simply to see how the whole thing works and as a collateral for the future. At that time, I was involved in a lot of projects on the Internet, so it seemed to me that it was not bad to increase my portfolio a little more.

3. How did you get on the forum?
The same friend who recommended bitcoin mentioned this forum to me and suggested I register-

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
It is very difficult to give a short answer to this question because there are a lot of answers.
I believe that the main reason is the possibility of practical application in everyday life.
As long as people believe that bitcoin is used by criminals to buy drugs or that it is too risky and that on the other hand you can't use it practically in everyday life, bitcoin will not become mainstream.
That is why I was recently very pleased with the news that a Croatian company Electrocoin managed to reach an agreement with Croatian Post, a state-owned company, on the sale of certain cryptocurrencies in post offices.

4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
It seems to me that their advertising has a positive effect on members of their signature campaigns but a bad effect on the forum itself because it encourages spam and lowers the quality of forum content.

4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
I think it depends on the person to person and how much everyone is willing to personally invest their time and effort in analyzing the market and learning.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
It seems to me that the merits have achieved the main goal and that is to force members who want to progress on this forum to work harder and write better quality posts. Signature campaigns are probably the main reason for the popularity of this forum and probably a ''necessary evil'' that we can't avoid but we can try to regulate.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
I believe the introductory topics in the beginners section of the forum are the most useful for new members and for me personally the most useful topics are crypto analyzes from cryptofrka and numerous useful posts from LoyceV in Meta.

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
The requests of the members in Meta are being resolved very slowly. We need better communication with admins.
I think we need to change the criteria for permaban on the forum and unban.
Local communities should have more influence and the opportunity to change things within their local sections.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
Until 2017 I was quite active in trade but after the ''great flood'' of altcoins that year in recent years I trade a lot less and I'm more focused on bitcoin now.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
Do I really have to? I don't like to be reminded of that, but in 2017 I invested a lot in altcoins, which lost a lot of value after the great flood of btc and all altcoins at the end of that year. I wanted to be smart and invest in more places according to the "not all eggs in the same basket" system, but it didn't turn out to be the best decision.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
The idea is very interesting but I haven’t dealt with it much and I don’t have enough information for a final answer.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
Actually, I'm not that anonymous on this forum. I know some people personally, I have met them, I work with some of them...
In fact, it’s a matter of trust, who and why you trust. Clearly, I will never share my personal information with anyone for reasons of personal safety.

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
I’m actually too busy and don’t have time to read books, I don’t know when I last time read a book. I mostly get information on professional portals.

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
BTC will always be my number one and I trust btc the most.
After that, ETH, and since I use Binance a lot, I also believe in the BNB.

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
A very difficult question and my predictions are usually very bad.
Still, I have some positive feelings about btc. It seems to me that the current corona crisis, political turmoil in America and the world and other problems could attract more large investors in bitcoin which could result in an increase in the value of bitcoin.
I predict a price of about $ 14,000.

15. P.S. (Optional)
Folks, bitcoin is not a "get rich overnight" scheme.
It’s more of an investment in your future and so be patient and smart and don’t rush.
Just think how much regret now those people who had a lot of bitcoins 7, 8 or 9 years ago but got rid of them too easily.
Don’t let the same situation happen to you.

Hey fellas, I was asked to do the interview so here goes. I didn't even know about this thread, hopefully you'll find some answers interesting. Seems like a great idea from the OP

---

1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
During the altcoin bubble in 2017. I heard about BTC way before but ignored it and have never even heard of altcoins before. When my friend started to show me his Blockfolio portfolio gaining 10-20% daily of course I was instantly interested, but since I'm a cautious person by nature it took me some time to jump aboard. Since then I've been following the crypto markets daily and it's become a 2nd job.

2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
Ughh, January 2018. It was ~10k$, I thought I did great by buying then. A month later it dropped to 5k$, so it wasn't really my best call.
I've been steadily buying since, little by little, taking advantage of the dips while playing the long-term game.

3. How did you get on the forum?
Pure chance. At the time when we entered the crypto space, airdrops were a thing and I was applying to basically everything. Some had a 'BTT username' field required, I did not even know what it was at the time. So I googled, registered and slept on the account for a while. The forum looked too overwhelming, a million of threads and topics, so I just ignored it. Then, for 1 project I was about to do the translation and I needed to post it in BTT local board, which I did - but pictures could not be uploaded because my account was still a Newbie. Our Local is small and connected, the guys helped me out and I've been writing there since.

4.1. What prevents mass adoption of cryptocurrencies?
A lot of bad press. When I was a kid, I heard of Bitcoin a few times but always as 'money for druglords and kidnappers'. If someone explained it to me then in a different way, I'd maybe have bought my first BTC for way less than 10k$
Crypto space is also too unregulated for institutional investors, and the platforms that do offer investment in crypto offer it with insanely high fees so it automatically turns new investors down. Investing in crypto and using crypto still requires a lot of time and effort and we know that people tend to choose more convenient and safe payment options.

4.2. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
It is good that we have gambling projects because a lot of crypto is being used there. It means gambling without trackers, without taxes and a fairer experience. Casinos and betting providers are the leaders of crypto adoption and they are doing a great job with promoting crypto.
Regarding the forum - it's a bit different. There's a lot of merit hunting and shitposting going around, a lot of people are writing basically anything to fulfill quotas and the forum experience would be a bit better if there was a way to reduce sig campaign spams. I'm all for campaigns though - after all, I'm in one and am trying to be a good poster to remain in it - it's a way for people to get their first BTC so the campaigns are definitely a benefit for us all.

4.3. How do you consider whether 2-3 years of experience in cryptocurrency is enough to successfully invest or does an investor need to receive special education?
Time is irrelevant. If you do something 15 minutes per day, it will take much longer than if you commit 3-4 hours daily. In crypto it's especially hard to put a time frame because it all changes so quickly. Even if you took 3 years to learn everything, when DeFi comes you have to learn everything again, so I'd say no - 2-3 years help but it's a constant thing - you simply need to dedicate time every day to be really successful as a crypto investor.
Special education is helpful, I did a lot of trading TA tutorials from great traders such as CryptoCred, Luke Martin, Rand and others.

5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns?  Do they harm the forum?
I do not really care much about merits and think they are easy enough to get if you want to progress. I'm more of a person that will write in his way and collect merits slowly as they come.
Merit system is flawed though, some local boards have 10x merits to pass around than we do, we are a really active board with 1 merit source so it would take ages (years) to get to Legendary by writing only there. Posts are rewarded with merits, but the difference is that a great post gets 1 merit (2 max) from each user, where instead on other boards it is getting 5+, somewhere even 10 or 20.
I think campaigns are great because they give people a way to get their crypto 'for free' and are a broad representation of someone's posting quality. If you're in a good campaign, I'd probably track you more because I will think 'hmm, this guy's in CM, he's probably deserved that'. It would be good to reduce some of the spam though, there are some campaigns that go for quantity and are not my favorite ones.

6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
Hard to say, I'm spending 80% of my time in Local. There are a lot of users that are really helpful and I don't want to write specific names - for every question there's always someone knowledgeable ready to help.

7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
For one, definitely more transparency regarding the bans/requests. We had a 10 page thread fighting to get a member from our Local unbanned, the thread went without a reply from staff for a year or so. We asked for moderator - no reply. Now we're asking for a merit source - no reply. Such behavior is really rude and counterproductive - I'd really like it if somebody just said 'not now', 'no way', 'fuck off', whatever. What hapens now is that we are told 'just be patient' - and why should we have to wait for months for simple things? So, going forward, I'd really like to receive answers to community requests much, much faster and with a lot more transparency.

8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
I do a bit of both. I trade daily, so most of the time I'm looking at charts looking for good entries. I trade both BTC and altcoins (with both BTC and USD pairs). I also have some long-term bags, tokens from projects I invested in where I don't follow the daily price movement but instead wait for the token to do my expected 2x, 3x, 5x in a longer time period.

9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
Ooof, not hard at all since it's so recent. I missed most of the DeFi train, I still find it highly unregulated and it does not give me any confidence. But hey, people were making huge money so I decided to invest something as well. I decided to buy SUSHI, and then I saw they will be listed on Binance. Since Uniswap fees were high, I decided to wait and bought it on Binance.
Of course, 2 things happened in parallel - first, SUSHI had an exit scam and price fell drastically and I bought it on Binance so was not eligible for the huge Uniswap airdrop.
That was probably the most painful one, because it's hard to miss that kind of airdrop - especially after losing a good amount of money on a coin flip such as a new DeFi project.

10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
Well, the idea in itself is really interesting. The problem is the same as anywhere else - the crypto 'elite' will paint it as a fair system for all and will get in early, take huge rewards and just jump ship to another project and continue doing the same. It is currently not a good ecosystem due to infinite number of pump&dump projects, a true DeFi system would be one in which you could lend money and collect fees without having to look every 7 minutes whether you lost it all or not. So, interesting as a concept but still a long road ahead of us for it to be safe and fair to all.

11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
I don't really believe in anonymity nowadays. I will not write my name and address here, of course, and we should do all we can to limit the amount of data we transmit. But ultimately, the people who want will find a way to collect that info and I will not waste half of my day by using TOR, multiple VPN tools and whatnot to be able to watch some porn without leaving a trail.

12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
A Complete Guide to Volume Price Analysis by Anna Coulling. It was recommended on EmperorBTC Telegram channel, that guy is a really good tutor so I tend to read things he suggests. It's basically a book that explains correlations between price and volume and is a really helpful method during trading. After reading it' I'm more aware of fakeout moves and can find the right setups before price explodes to the upside. A good book and a great TG channel - I recommend both. 130 pages long though, just so you know what you're getting into.

13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
Always a hard question because crypto moves so fast. I'll stick with some easy ones, BTC is always at least 30-50% of my portfolio so it's a must. ETH looks good long-term, it started this bull wave with DeFi projects and I'm bullish on it long-term. BNB would be my 3rd one - Binance is a key player in crypto and has a way of always knowing what the community wants. They are constantly adding value to BNB tokens so I feel comfortable holding some for long-term.

14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
No matter the fact we are reluctant to accept it, crypto is more and more trending in line with the stock market. Long-term I really don't feel that correlation will last, but currently in uncertain times it does and we have to acknowledge it. I believe stocks are in a sort of a bubble and will fall, especially if Biden wins the US elections. Crypto might go with it and crypto market cap will probably fall, but I expect BTC to hold its own and act more in line with gold - so a 15k$ BTC would be something I'd be happy to see.

15. P.S. (Optional)
Stay well, invest safely and be patient - we're still early here. Don't expect to get rich tomorrow, learn every day and grow and it will all come together eventually.

Oh yeah, unban RegulusHR and give us a moderator please

Cheers!

@Hhampuz - do an interview or get negative trust!  

Done!

There is a notable name I could not find in your list. Jetcash . I will like you to add him in your interview list.