In 2017, Didi Taihuttu, a 41-year-old Dutchman, sold his profitable business, house, cars, and even his children's toys, and invested in Bitcoin. Taihuttu, his wife, and their three children embarked on a worldwide adventure, living a decentralized, nomad, Bitcoin life. They have since travelled to 40 countries, set up crypto-funded projects to help the poor, and documented their journey in over 200 YouTube videos. Despite Bitcoin's failure to reach the expected heights, Taihuttu remains a firm believer and continues to invest in the cryptocurrency.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Family Members | Didi Taihuttu, his wife Romaine, and their three children Joli, Juna, and Jessa |
Year of Investment | 2017 |
Amount Invested | More than $100,000 but less than $1 million |
Current Location | Lagos, Portugal |
Current Business | Runs a Bitcoin bar on a Portuguese beach |
Bitcoin Price at the Time of Investment | Around $1,000 to $2,000 |
Bitcoin Price in 2022 | Around $7,000 |
What You'll Learn
Didi Taihuttu's family sold all possessions to invest in Bitcoin
In 2017, Didi Taihuttu, a Dutch entrepreneur, and his family sold all their belongings to live a fully bankless existence using only Bitcoin. The family has become known as 'the Bitcoin family'. Taihuttu liquidated his assets in 2016 and spread his cryptocurrency portfolio across secret vaults on four continents. He keeps 70% of his Bitcoin holdings in cold storage and the remaining 30% in hot wallets.
Taihuttu's journey began in 2013 when an intern at one of his companies told him about Bitcoin. Fascinated by the technology and its potential to disrupt mainstream finance, he invested in Bitcoin mining. By the end of 2016, he had started travelling with his family when his father passed away. A friend asked him if he still had his Bitcoins, having seen that the price was starting to climb. It was at this point that Taihuttu recognised Bitcoin's time had come.
Frustrated with his comfortable, unchallenging, and materialistic existence, Taihuttu, along with his wife Romaine, decided to sell up and travel the world. They sold their house, cars, furniture, and almost all their other possessions, including their children's toys, to buy as much Bitcoin as they could. The family moved to a campsite near their previous home, and the three girls, then aged 12, 10, and 7, shared a room.
The Bitcoin family has since visited over 40 countries, paying their way using Bitcoin and spreading the word about cryptocurrency. They have set up crypto-funded projects to help the poor, established their own Bitcoin Family brand, and documented their journey in over 200 YouTube videos. They currently run a Bitcoin bar on a Portuguese beach, where they hope to convince more merchants to accept digital token payments.
Taihuttu's investment strategy has paid off, with his portfolio gaining more than 2,000% in the last six years. However, the family's faith has been tested by the recent crypto market volatility, which has seen token prices plummet and companies go belly up. Despite this, Taihuttu remains bullish on Bitcoin and continues to buy during the dip, believing that it is the "ultimate buying moment".
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They bought more Bitcoin when it crashed in 2018
In 2017, CNBC reported on a Dutch family of five who liquidated all their assets to invest in Bitcoin. Didi Taihuttu, his wife, and three children sold their profitable business and 2,500-square-foot house, among other possessions, to invest in the popular cryptocurrency.
In 2018, when the price of Bitcoin collapsed, Taihuttu doubled down on his investment and bought more. He believed that the cryptocurrency was poised for a major rebound. Despite the risks associated with the volatility of cryptocurrencies, Taihuttu remained confident in his investment. He predicted that Bitcoin would reach a peak of $100,000 and even surpass $200,000 by 2022.
Taihuttu's strategy of buying more Bitcoin during the 2018 crash aligned with his long-term outlook on the cryptocurrency. He believed that the demand for Bitcoin would continue to grow, and he was unconcerned about short-term price fluctuations. Taihuttu's decision to buy more Bitcoin during the dip demonstrated his commitment to his investment strategy and his belief in the potential of Bitcoin to recover and reach new highs.
The 2018 cryptocurrency crash, also known as the Great Crypto Crash, saw a significant sell-off of most cryptocurrencies. After an unprecedented boom in 2017, the price of Bitcoin fell by about 65% from January to February 2018. This was followed by a broader decline, with cryptocurrencies collapsing by 80% from their peak in January 2018. By November 2018, the price of Bitcoin had fallen below $4,000, representing an 80% decline from its peak in January of that year.
Despite the market downturn, Taihuttu remained optimistic about the future of Bitcoin. He continued to spread the gospel of decentralized digital currencies by travelling the world with his family and running a Bitcoin bar on a Portuguese beach.
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They have no bank accounts or possessions
In 2017, Didi Taihuttu, a 41-year-old Dutchman, sold his profitable business, family house, cars, and even his children's toys, to invest in Bitcoin. Taihuttu, his wife, and their three children liquidated all their assets and traded them in for the popular cryptocurrency and a life on the road. They had no bank accounts or possessions, and all their savings were tied up in highly volatile cryptocurrencies.
The family's journey, trailed by the world's media, has taken them to 40 countries. They have set up crypto-funded projects to help the poor, established their own Bitcoin Family brand and merchandise, and documented their journey in over 200 YouTube videos. They also spread the word about the benefits of decentralized digital currencies.
Taihuttu's enthusiasm for cryptocurrency remains undiminished, even though Bitcoin's price has not reached the heights he predicted. He told Decrypt that his decision to sell everything was not driven by a desire to make money but by the death of his father and his own experience of burnout. He wanted to change his family's life and embrace a new, anti-materialistic way of living.
The family has faced challenges while living a crypto-funded lifestyle. In the beginning, they had to rely on word of mouth to find places that accepted cryptocurrencies. They also had to stage a complex workaround when they were unable to buy a visa at the Turkish border. Taihuttu has learned that it is easier to use cryptocurrencies in some places, such as Asia and specific towns in Europe, than in others.
Despite the challenges and the unpredictable nature of Bitcoin's value, Taihuttu and his family have no regrets. They value the freedom and life experiences their journey has brought them. Taihuttu believes that leading by example is the best way to drive Bitcoin adoption and that cryptocurrencies are a long-term investment.
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The family travels the world, relying on cryptocurrencies
The Taihuttu family, also known as the "Bitcoin Family", have been travelling the world for several years, relying solely on cryptocurrencies. The family of five, comprising Didi Taihuttu, his wife Romaine, and their three children Joli, Juna, and Jessa, sold all their belongings in 2016 and went "all-in" on Bitcoin. They have since been living a minimalist and stress-free lifestyle, spreading the message of freedom and the potential of Bitcoin and blockchain technology.
The Taihuttus liquidated their assets, including a profitable business and a 2,500-square-foot house, and traded them for cryptocurrencies. They have no bank accounts, no permanent home, and few personal possessions. Instead, they safeguard their fortune in "secret vaults" or "cold wallets" on four continents—two in Europe, two in Asia, one in South America, and one in Australia. Didi Taihuttu explained that by spreading their holdings across multiple countries, he never has to travel far to access his cold wallet if he needs to withdraw from the market.
The family has visited over 35 countries and, in many cities, they were able to pay for about 80% of their needs directly with Bitcoin. They document their travels and experiences on social media platforms such as YouTube, where they interview, blog, and vlog about their journey. They also educate people about the fundamentals of blockchain and Bitcoin, and encourage charities to accept cryptocurrency donations.
Despite the risks associated with the volatility of cryptocurrencies, Didi Taihuttu remains optimistic about the potential of Bitcoin. He intends to continue their travels and spread the gospel of decentralized digital currencies. The family's goal is to create a worldwide active and social community that uses cryptocurrency and blockchain technology for positive change and to empower individuals.
Through their travels and reliance on cryptocurrencies, the Taihuttu family has embraced a life of adventure and minimalism, challenging traditional notions of wealth and happiness. They have chosen a path that prioritizes freedom and the potential of decentralized technologies, showcasing that it is possible to live and thrive solely on cryptocurrencies.
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They have set up crypto-funded projects to help the poor
Didi Taihuttu and his family liquidated all their assets in 2016 and invested in Bitcoin. They have been travelling the world for the past four years, living a nomadic life without bank accounts, a house, or many personal possessions. Taihuttu has given half of his money to charity, and his family has been spreading the word about decentralised digital currencies.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bitcoin Family is made up of Didi Taihuttu, his wife Romaine, and their three children: Joli, Juna, and Jessa.
In 2017, the family liquidated all their assets, including their house, cars, and children's toys, and invested in Bitcoin. They then embarked on a world tour to spread the word about cryptocurrencies.
Taihuttu wanted to change his family's life after experiencing burnout and the death of his father. He had also been interested in Bitcoin since 2013 and saw it as an opportunity to disrupt traditional systems. Additionally, he believed that Bitcoin and blockchain technology could improve the monetary system, especially in regions with limited access to banking.
The family experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, from media attention while camping in the Netherlands to traveling the world and living a decentralized lifestyle. They attended blockchain conferences and seminars, and Taihuttu became an advisor to several startups in the blockchain space. However, they also faced challenges, such as the 2018 Bitcoin crash and the coronavirus pandemic, which threatened to derail their plans.
It is not clear if they became millionaires. Didi Taihuttu initially believed he would be a multi-millionaire by 2020, but Bitcoin's price failed to reach the expected heights. However, their funds had doubled by 2024, and they gained valuable life experiences and freedom through their journey.