In this vibrant episode of The Charlie Shrem Show, I sit down with Mel Sands, vintage and antique dealer turned Bitcoin advocate, to explore the intersection of collectibles, community, and crypto history. Mel’s journey from discovering Bitcoin through a forgotten $100 investment to becoming a passionate evangelist and collector is a testament to how Bitcoin continues to inspire people across industries.

We cover:

• Mel’s Bitcoin Journey: How a casual $100 purchase turned into $4,700 and set her on a path to uncovering the deeper truths of Bitcoin’s potential.
• Bitcoin Collectibles and Trading Cards: The rise of Bitcoin-themed trading cards and physical collectibles, their growing value, and how they educate the world about crypto history.
• The Hunt for Satoshi’s Newspaper: The legendary Times of London newspaper from January 3, 2009, immortalized in Bitcoin’s Genesis Block. Could this be the ultimate Bitcoin collectible?
• Building Local Bitcoin Communities: Stories of grassroots Bitcoin adoption, from Lincoln Road in Miami Beach to conferences like BitBlockBoom.
• Why Real-World Bitcoin Adoption Matters: Mel’s bold move to accept Bitcoin for her antique business and how it sparked conversations with curious customers.

We also dive into:

• The psychology of Bitcoin adoption and why it still feels like “early days” for many.
• The importance of preserving Bitcoin’s history through physical artifacts.
• How Bitcoin has shaped communities, not just as a technology but as a shared set of values.

This episode is packed with stories, laughs, and an epic idea for a documentary on tracking down one of Bitcoin’s rarest historical artifacts. If you’re into Bitcoin, collectibles, or just great storytelling, this is a can’t-miss conversation.

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⚡ Share this episode with anyone curious about Bitcoin collectibles or the power of community.

Follow Mel Sands and explore her work:

• Twitter: @MelSandsBTC

Learn more about BitBlockBoom:

• Website: bitblockboom.com

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