If you’d asked me ten years ago whether I felt secure with my money in the bank and my trust in government policies, I’d have probably said yes—without much hesitation. But a lot has changed since then. From financial crises and plummeting interest rates to sudden government mandates and policy shifts, it’s become clearer than ever that depending on traditional institutions can leave you vulnerable.
For me, the turning point was reflecting back on the 2008 financial crisis. Banks received huge bailouts while regular people lost their homes and life savings. That felt like a wake-up call: the rules are not always in our favour, especially if we’re not among the wealthy or well-connected. And it’s not just one big crisis—look around at how many times governments have made sweeping decisions that left ordinary people in the lurch, whether it’s freezing assets, imposing limits on withdrawals, or piling on new taxes out of nowhere.
The Realisation: My Money Wasn’t Truly Mine
One of the most jarring moments for me was realising that the funds I keep in the bank might not be as safe and untouchable as I’d assumed. Sure, there’s insurance on deposits, but what about when interest rates dip so low that your savings barely grow? Or when new regulations mean you suddenly can’t access your funds in the same way you used to? It was like I was working hard to build a nest egg, only for the rules of the game to keep changing—always stacked in someone else’s favour.
That’s where crypto began to appeal to me. Don’t get me wrong: crypto can be volatile, and it’s not a guaranteed golden ticket to wealth. But it does offer something the banks don’t: more autonomy. When you hold Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies in your own wallet, you’re not at the mercy of a central authority deciding how you can use it. No one can freeze it, seize it, or inflate it away.
Pushing Back Against the Status Quo
I’ve spoken to countless women who remember the 90’s boom … and they share the same sentiment: we’re tired of waiting for “permission” to use our money how we see fit. We’ve seen governments bail out industries while letting individuals fend for themselves. We’ve seen banks change their policies, often with zero regard for everyday customers. Instead of just grumbling about it, crypto lets us do something. It’s a statement that says, “We’re capable of self-direction. We don’t need gatekeepers controlling our finances.”
Now, that doesn’t mean you should pull all your cash out of the bank and stick it into the latest crypto project. It means understanding that you have options. You can diversify, you can learn, and you can decide for yourself how much or how little of your money you entrust to these institutions. The key is to know you’re not trapped by the traditional system if you don’t want to be.
Finding Confidence Through Community
The more I learned about crypto, the more I realised this wasn’t just about the technology; it was about people coming together to share knowledge and support. Sadly, in pursuit of knowledge to help me grow my own portfolio, I found few women educators in this space and even less who were in their 40’s or older, enabling me to feel comfortable talking about issues pertinent to me… a mum, managing elderly parents, grown up stepchildren and twins born in 2019 (that story is for another day)!
So instead of trying to find a community, I started to build one of my own… purely a hobby and a way to serve friends I had met along the investing journey. I spent so many hours sharing what I had learnt, embedding so many lessons … and one by one they all start to suggest I do this as an online educator.
In these communities, we don’t just talk about “hodling” Bitcoin or chasing the next big altcoin. We talk about strategies for living more independently from systems that might not have our best interests at heart. We discuss safe practices, real-life use cases, and ways to hedge against economic uncertainty. Most importantly, we remind each other that it’s OK to question what we’ve been told all our lives about money, banks, and government control.
Should You Throw Out Your Bank Account?
Not necessarily. Traditional banking still has its conveniences and protections. But relying on banks and governments alone can leave you exposed—especially if they decide to change the rules overnight. If you want more control and a sense of autonomy, learning about crypto is a powerful step. Educate yourself, connect with a supportive community, and remember you’re never too old to explore new possibilities.
The Bottom Line
I no longer trust banks or governments to keep my best interests at heart, because time and again, they’ve shown that their priorities lie elsewhere. That’s why I’ve embraced crypto, not as a surefire way to get rich, but as a means of regaining a sense of control over my financial destiny. If that resonates with you, I invite you to keep learning, ask questions, and join a community that understands your concerns. After all, trust should be earned, and if the traditional system isn’t earning yours, it might be time to look beyond it.
