Part 2/12:
Antonopoulos begins by recounting the journey of Bitcoin’s recognition over the past three years. Initially, most people had never heard of Bitcoin, and the term was associated with illicit activities—"the drug internet" as he humorously puts it. Early on, he avoided asking "Have you heard of Bitcoin?" instead opting to share exciting information, gradually transitioning from complete unfamiliarity to awareness.
Today, discussion has shifted, and Bitcoin is increasingly recognized, although often misunderstood or mischaracterized. People now frequently hear about Bitcoin in the context of terrorism funding—a misconception Antonopoulos dispels by joking that, despite funding global conflicts with official government currencies, he's never used Bitcoin for illegal purposes himself.