I just saw a very interesting debate at the Bitcoin Investor Week in New York. The experts made clear something that many don't want to hear: Bitcoin's future doesn't depend on governments blessing it, but on ordinary people actually adopting it.

Anthony Pompliano and other panelists highlighted that Strategy, being the first publicly traded company to accumulate Bitcoin, has shown the way. With investments around $12 billion through convertible notes, they have demonstrated that it's possible to integrate cryptocurrencies into traditional finance without waiting for government approval.

What I found particularly interesting was the strategy of offering low-volatility products like STRC. Phong Le explained that this is key to attracting conservative investors who are afraid of Bitcoin's extreme movements. It's not just about long-term hodling, but about creating options that allow more people to enter the ecosystem without getting nervous and sleeping on it.

David Bailey was more direct: Bitcoin's success is virtually inevitable with or without government support. What matters is increasing actual ownership among the public. Although he was optimistic about Digital Asset Treasuries, he also predicted we will see strong consolidation in the sector, possibly causing half of the companies to disappear in the next 18 months.

This makes me think about how the crypto market is evolving beyond just Bitcoin. While some are still looking for the next big thing, there's a deeper movement toward assets with real fundamentals. There are even memecoins with a future that are gaining traction because the community truly believes in them. In the end, public adoption is what determines what survives and what disappears in this space.