Talking To Your Partner

The Bitcoin conversation with a skeptical partner is one of the most common — and most delicate — situations in the Bitcoin world.

The instinct is to explain. To make the case. To walk through the monetary history, the supply cap, the FTX contrast with the Bitcoin network. To convert.

This almost never works.

Here’s what tends to work better.

Start with the shared concern, not the solution. Before Bitcoin comes up at all: “I’ve been reading a lot about inflation lately. The way savings accounts work. The purchasing power thing. It’s been bugging me.” Most people — including skeptical partners — can relate to the feeling that money is quietly losing value. Start there.

Describe what you’re doing, not what they should do. “I’ve decided to put a small portion of my savings into something with a fixed supply, as a hedge. Here’s roughly how much.” Own the decision. Don’t ask for permission — but don’t surprise them either.

Separate your money from joint money. The Sarah and Tom story from Day 168 is the model. A small position in personal discretionary savings removes the joint-decision pressure entirely.

Don’t make it a prediction. “Bitcoin will hit $1 million” is the fastest way to undermine your credibility with a skeptic. “I think it’s worth holding a small amount as monetary insurance” is harder to argue with.

And accept that they might not come around. Some partners never do. A relationship where Bitcoin is tolerated but not shared is livable. A relationship where every price movement becomes an argument is much harder.

Tomorrow: how to talk to your parents about Bitcoin.

— The Daily Bit