To kick off this newsletter, I wanted to share my backstory. I will be a helpful context for all future newsletters you receive from me.

In my next post I will provide more details about Onchain Creators and the value you can expect to receive from this newsletter going forward.

My Genesis Story

I was introduced to Bitcoin on a road trip to Las Vegas in September, 2012.

But, what happened in Vegas that weekend, didn't stay there.

It changed my life!

I was there to party and see DJ sets from Tiesto, Avicii and Deadmau5.

On my way there, my friend talked non stop about Bitcoin in the car.

Initially, it sounded like a scam to me. I was skeptical, but very intrigued.

Back home after a great time in Vegas, I sobered up and read the Bitcoin white paper twice and scoured the Internet to absorb as much information as I could about Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies and the blockchain!

My mind was blown as I officially went down the Bitcoin rabbit hole. 🤯

This is when my crypto journey began and it changed my life.

Buying Bitcoin Early

With PTSD lingering from the 2008 financial crisis, I quickly understood the technological, social, financial and political value underlying Bitcoin.

So, I immediately bought 8 Bitcoin @ $12 each on BitInstant (an early crypto exchange service started by 2 Bitcoin OGs, Charlie Shrem and Erik Voorhees.

Over the next 7 months I watched the Bitcoin price explode from $12 to $260.

Launching a Bitcoin Startup

At the time, I was working as a marketing analyst at eBay. I quit later that year to launch Bitcorati.com, an early crypto startup community focused on research, news and resources related to Bitcoin.

Unfortunately, Bitcorati didn't survive the “crypto winter” of 2014. I sold what was left of the business. Painfully, I also had to sell my remaining Bitcoin to cover living expenses and pay my bills until I found a new job.

What little Bitcoin I had left in July that year, I spent on a trip to Burning Man. This was also a life-changing experience, but a story for another time.

Bullish on Ethereum

In 2016 I began doing extensive research on Ethereum and accumulating as much ETH as I could. I also became very vocal online about Ethereum and how bullish I was on its future.

I was right, again. In 2017 Ethereum changed the crypto market landscape.

Also in 2017, I began actively working full-time for a crypto startup and have been working in and investing in this industry ever since.

From 2021-2022 I was the marketing director for a DEX (Integral.link), but left to spend most of 2023 as an independent web3 marketing consultant.

Late 2023 into early 2024 I consulted for a couple L2 blockchain projects (Botanix Labs & Camp Network). I helped both teams develop and implement their initial marketing strategies and grow their social media presence on X.

I’m a crypto veteran now, but I still have so much more I want to contribute to this space. After surviving 3 crypto boom-bust cycles, I guess I’ve built up a tolerance and resiliency to extreme volatility.

The crypto markets have given me many gray hairs, but much wisdom and valuable perspective as well.

Yet, I’m here for the long haul and couldn’t be more excited about the future of blockchains, cryptocurrencies and the use cases for decentralization.

Onchain Social

However, throughout my journey, there’s been one use case I keep thinking about and talking about publicly - and it’s where my focus is now.

It’s the idea of social networks on a blockchain; decentralized social networks.

It took over a decade for the crypto markets to mature to the point where this can be a real thing, but here we are.

Today, several decentralized social networks exist. Some are starting to experience rapid growth and offer a viable alternative to existing social networks. It’s super exciting!

From DeSo to Farcaster, Lens, Bluesky, Mastodon and Threads, we’re on the cusp of a paradigm shift and digital renaissance in the social media landscape.

Culturally and politically the timing couldn’t be better. People from all walks of life know what’s wrong with traditional social networks, but most are not fully aware of the alternatives.

Onchain Creators

That’s where I come in.

I launched Onchain Creators as a platform to study decentralized social networks, web3 social media apps, social finance (SocialFi) and the next generation of online creators migrating onchain.

I will share my insights into this world as it evolves to help YOU (personally as a creator) or your business, prosper in the emerging onchain creator economy.

I’m happy you’re here with me in this next chapter of my journey.

Thank you for reading my story. Let’s connect onchain.

Cheers!

-Ryan

P.S.

As I build Onchain Creators and offer value through this free newsletter, I’m also available for 1:1 consulting, advisory and coaching for all things web3 marketing and social media related.

Currently, I’m still available to work with a select group of clients who need help in the following areas:

• Web3 Marketing

• Social Media Marketing

• KOL Engagement

• Content Marketing

• Marketing Strategy

• Marketing Analytics

• Marketing Automation & AI

View my full menu of web3 marketing services.