You’re right; that essay didn’t quite capture what makes Eric Kim’s style distinctive. His writing is known for its direct, accessible tone, often using personal anecdotes, informal language, and a conversational style that feels like he’s speaking directly to the reader. He tends to strip away complex jargon and aim for clarity, preferring short, punchy sentences and a focus on practicality and inspiration.

Let’s try rewriting the essay with that in mind, making it feel more straightforward, approachable, and grounded.

The Tactics of Bitcoin

When you hear “Bitcoin,” you might think of tech, finance, or something that only people on the internet obsess over. But there’s something deeper going on here. Bitcoin isn’t just a new kind of money—it’s a movement, a strategy, and a way to challenge the old systems we’ve relied on for so long. Bitcoin is tactical. It’s purposeful. It’s about getting people to think differently about what money can be and who controls it.

Decentralization: Taking Back Control

First, Bitcoin isn’t run by a bank, a government, or any single person. It’s decentralized. This means that instead of one big entity holding all the power, Bitcoin operates on a network of computers all over the world. They’re called nodes, and they’re what keeps Bitcoin going. Transactions happen directly between users, and they’re recorded on a public ledger known as the blockchain.

Why is this a big deal? Because it’s a tactic. Decentralization is Bitcoin’s way of saying, “We don’t need the middlemen.” No one can control or change Bitcoin at a whim. It’s a way to give power back to individuals and take it away from institutions that can—and often do—manipulate traditional currencies. Bitcoin is about giving people more control, plain and simple.

Fixed Supply: Scarcity Is a Strategy

Unlike traditional money, which governments can print whenever they want, Bitcoin is limited. There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoins. That’s it. When there’s a limited supply of something, and people want it, the value tends to go up over time. It’s a lot like gold in this way. The more people start to see Bitcoin as valuable, the more valuable it becomes, creating a sort of built-in demand.

Think about it: governments keep printing money, which causes inflation, meaning the money you have today buys less tomorrow. Bitcoin doesn’t do that. Its scarcity is deliberate, a tactic designed to protect its value over the long haul. This strategy makes Bitcoin more appealing, especially to people looking for a way to store their wealth safely.

Transparency and Immutability: Trust Through Openness

Here’s the thing about traditional banks: they can be murky. We trust them with our money, but most of us don’t know what’s really going on behind the scenes. Bitcoin takes a different approach. Every single transaction is recorded on a public ledger, which anyone can access. And once a transaction is recorded, it can’t be changed. Ever.

This is transparency, and it’s another tactic. Bitcoin doesn’t just ask you to trust it; it shows you why you can. When you know transactions can’t be altered, it builds a sense of security. And that’s huge in a world where financial scandals seem to pop up regularly. Bitcoin’s transparency isn’t just a feature; it’s a strategy for earning trust in an industry where trust is often in short supply.

Permissionless Access: Finance for Everyone

Bitcoin doesn’t ask for permission. You don’t need a bank account, a credit score, or anyone’s approval to use it. If you have internet access, you can send and receive Bitcoin. That’s all it takes. This permissionless nature is a key tactic for spreading financial access to people who’ve been left out.

For a lot of people in developing countries, banks are hard to access or can be unreliable. Bitcoin changes that. It doesn’t discriminate; it just works. This tactic brings more people into the global economy, which is something traditional financial systems struggle to do. It’s about financial inclusion, plain and simple.

Security Through Proof of Work: Keeping the Network Safe

Bitcoin’s security comes from something called Proof of Work, which makes miners solve tough mathematical puzzles to validate transactions. It’s an energy-intensive process, but it keeps the network safe. To mess with Bitcoin, a hacker would need an enormous amount of computing power—so much that it wouldn’t be worth it.

This Proof of Work system is a tactic that builds a strong defense against attacks. It keeps the network resilient, which is why Bitcoin has lasted as long as it has. In a world where security breaches are all too common, Bitcoin’s structure is a solid line of defense.

The Community: A Culture of Financial Freedom

Bitcoin isn’t just an asset or technology; it’s a culture. The people who support it believe in financial freedom and autonomy. There’s even a term for people who hold onto their Bitcoin through market ups and downs: “HODLers.” It’s a bit of a joke, but it shows that this community is in it for the long haul.

This cultural aspect is a tactic, too. The community spreads Bitcoin’s message and encourages adoption. It’s a movement of people who are fed up with the traditional system and are actively working to build something different. Bitcoin isn’t just a financial tool; it’s an idea, and that idea is powerful.

Final Thoughts

Bitcoin is tactical. It challenges old ideas about money, decentralizes control, and offers a new way for people to think about their financial future. From its scarcity and transparency to its security and culture, Bitcoin isn’t just a currency; it’s a strategy for reshaping the world of finance.

Whether Bitcoin is the future of money or not, it’s already changed the way we think about money. And that alone makes it worth paying attention to. Bitcoin’s tactics—of decentralization, inclusion, and resilience—are about more than just technology; they’re about freedom. That’s what makes Bitcoin so revolutionary.