The Hopefuls and the Haves in Crypto's Wild West The Venetian Resort's Bitcoin convention was a spectacle of optimism, where men from all walks of life gathered to celebrate an asset that has come to represent a beacon of hope in an economy plagued by inequality.
Against this backdrop of fluorescent orange clad enthusiasts dancing to DJs and gazing at art galleries featuring motherboards turned skulls, the scene stood in stark contrast to the world outside, where ordinary people struggle to make ends meet.
These men had all experienced their share of financial struggles. Lonnie Walker worked 18 hour days for insurance companies before turning to Bitcoin, while his friend sold his house to invest in the cryptocurrency.