What Is Money Anyways?
By Chad King
Alright, people, let’s talk about the thing that supposedly makes the world go ‘round—money. We all chase it, stress over it, and think we need more of it to be “successful.” But what is money, really? And why do we let it hold so much power over our lives?
Let’s take a little walk through different perspectives on money and value, and let’s see if any of it actually holds up. By the end of this, you might just start questioning the whole concept of money (or at least start thinking in Bitcoin).
Money as Trust – A Collective Illusion 🤝
First up, let’s get to the basics: money’s only as good as the trust we all put into it. Back in the day, we traded stuff—your sheep for my barley, right? Then came coins and eventually paper, as symbols of that trade. The thing is, money has no inherent value; it’s just a socially accepted shortcut to get what we want. Dollar bills, euros, yen—they’re all just pieces of paper. They’re worth something because we all agree they’re worth something.
But think about it: as soon as people lose faith in a currency, it’s toast. Look at any country facing hyperinflation, and you’ll see exactly what I mean. When people stop trusting money, they find something else. Which brings us to Bitcoin—the digital asset backed by pure mathematics, scarcity, and that same kind of trust (but decentralized). And yet, even Bitcoin? It’s just trust on the blockchain, agreed upon by us who “get it.”
Money as Control – The Strings Behind the Curtain 🕴️
Now, what if I told you that money, in the traditional sense, is just a control mechanism? Think about it: banks and governments get to decide what money is worth and how much of it they print. When central banks flood the system with money (looking at you, Federal Reserve), the value of every dollar drops a bit, sneaking inflation into our lives like an invisible thief. Your hard-earned cash doesn’t go as far, but you’re expected to just deal with it.
That’s why Bitcoin was born—as a decentralized, limited-supply alternative to this manipulation. Bitcoin gives us a way to control our own money, rather than letting someone else call the shots. And yet, even when I say that, it feels like Bitcoin isn’t the end goal, just a step toward rethinking our whole relationship with money.
Money vs. Value – What Actually Matters? 🌌
Here’s where things get philosophical: when we talk about value, we’re actually talking about something personal. Money is one way to measure value, sure, but it’s not the only way. Ask yourself: does a yacht really make you happy, or does the time you spend on it with friends? Is it the job title, or is it the sense of accomplishment? The more you dive into this, the more you see that what we value can’t really be measured in dollars or euros.
Money’s great for access—it buys us experiences, frees up time, and gives us options. But it’s a poor metric for true wealth. The way I see it, time is the only resource we can’t earn more of. Time is finite, no matter how many billions you stack up. So what if, instead of focusing on earning more, we focused on maximizing the time we have?
Money and Freedom – The Great Irony 🔓
Here’s the kicker: we chase money for freedom, but if we’re not careful, we become slaves to it. How many people do you know who work jobs they hate, just to keep up with bills? They’re tied to a paycheck, buying things they don’t need, in a cycle they never break. Ironically, it’s when we stop obsessing over money that we actually find freedom. Bitcoin? It’s a tool for freedom, sure, but only if it allows you to spend less time thinking about money, not more.
So, where does that leave us? Well, I’m not saying we all ditch our day jobs and go off-grid, but maybe we start asking ourselves some tough questions. Do I need more money, or do I need more meaning? Am I buying into a system that doesn’t serve me?
Final Thoughts – The True Currency is Time ⏳
Money’s a tool, not the goal. In the end, the only real currency we have is time. Once you stop seeing money as the end-all-be-all, you start realizing it’s just a ticket—a means to a life where you can be present. Bitcoin, dollars, euros—whatever you’re holding, the goal should be to make it work for you, not the other way around.
So next time someone tells you to “make more money,” remind yourself: maybe what you really want is just more time, more freedom, and more meaning. And if Bitcoin’s part of that, well, then that’s cool too.
By Chad King, Money-Mindset Maverick and All-Around Crypto Philosopher