In December 2011, a college student sought financial advice on Zhihu: "I have 6,000 RMB. What’s the best investment?" That same day, Chang Jia (founder of 8btc) replied: "Buy Bitcoin. Secure your wallet file. Forget about the 6,000 RMB. Check back in five years."
From 2011 to 2018, Bitcoin soared from $3 to nearly $19,000. Had that student followed Chang Jia’s advice, their 6,000 RMB could have grown into millions.
The Engineer Who Championed Bitcoin
Early Days and Pseudonyms
Chang Jia, born Liu Zhipeng, worked as a geological engineer in Guangxi while writing sci-fi under his pen name (inspired by Li Sao). His online alias "blockchain" later became synonymous with the technology itself.
- 2011 Zhihu Reply: His Bitcoin advice went viral, amassing 30K+ upvotes and 6.6K+ comments.
- Motivation: "A simple wish—to spread awareness about Bitcoin."
Despite his foresight, Liu continued his day job until 2013, earning an engineering certification.
The First Wave of Bitcoin Believers
Zhang Ming’s Windfall
In 2012, a college student invested 3,000 RMB (his New Year money) at $5/Bitcoin after discovering Chang Jia’s Twitter account (@HeiHuZiBitcoin). By graduation, his returns covered tuition and then some—eventually reaching millions.
Key Insight: Early adopters like Zhang Ming profited not from luck, but from acting on research.
Chang Jia’s Pivot from Sci-Fi to Crypto
Founding 8btc
In 2011, Chang Jia launched China’s first blockchain forum, 8btc, translating global crypto news. A pivotal moment:
"A stranger donated 0.168 BTC and urged me to buy a domain. That stranger? Wu Jihan."
—Later founder of Bitmain.
By 2014, Chang Jia left geology to focus on crypto advocacy—abandoning sci-fi for what he called "a real-life technological revolution."
Regrets and Reflections
The Burden of Viral Advice
- 2013: Bitcoin surpassed gold ($1,242/BTC). Chang Jia’s Zhihu reply resurfaced, but he stopped endorsing Bitcoin publicly.
- Later Stance: "I regret that answer. Speculative gains overshadowed Bitcoin’s true purpose—decentralization."
His Warning:
"Relying on random online advice for wealth? That’s not laziness—it’s foolishness."
FAQs
Q: Did anyone else profit from Chang Jia’s advice?
A: While verifiable cases are scarce, Zhang Ming’s story highlights how early education in crypto could yield life-changing returns.
Q: Why did Chang Jia stop recommending Bitcoin?
A: To avoid fueling short-term speculation over long-term technological adoption.
Q: What’s the lesson here?
A: 👉 Invest in knowledge first—opportunities follow.
Final Thoughts
Chang Jia’s journey—from sci-fi writer to Bitcoin pioneer—mirrors crypto’s own evolution from obscurity to mainstream debate. His story underscores a critical lesson:
"The biggest investment is always in your own understanding."
👉 Explore blockchain’s potential today.
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