Since the creation of bitcoin in 2009, the world of cryptocurrency has seen plenty of drama: huge price increases are followed by sharp drops, all while believers and cynics clash over whether it has a future.
Still, nine years later, some people have managed to turn an impressive profit on cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, Ripple's XRP, and ether. Some of them are millionaires — perhaps even billionaires.
As these photos show, many of those who profited early from cryptocurrencies are young men. But while an estimated 71% of bitcoin owners are men, there's a concerted effort among many women in tech to engage more in cryptocurrencies and offer resources for women looking to break into the male-dominated culture surrounding it.
While many cryptocurrency investors lie low and avoid flaunting their earnings out of fear of being targeted, there are a few displays of wealth and luxury on Instagram, revealing the newly acquired affluence of the crypto nouveau riche.
Words by Zoë Bernard at Business Insider
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