When I traveled to the Bitcoin Indonesia Conference in Bali last year, my hands were shaking. I had a simple goal: to see if this internet money people were talking about was actually real, and if it could somehow help my family.
Looking back, my only regret is that I didn’t show up sooner. Because that single decision completely changed the trajectory of my life.
I arrived a bit late but was still on time for the opening ceremony
The Reality of Our Education System
Growing up here in Indonesia, the school system teaches us many things, but it never really teaches us about money. Nobody ever explained to me why everyday prices kept going up, or why saving my Rupiah felt like running on a treadmill just to stay in the exact same place.
I first started to understand the principles of real economics when I took a My First Bitcoin class. For the first time, I learned what inflation actually steals from us and what “good money” really looks like. But taking the class was only the first step. It wasn’t until I attended the conference in Bali and met the community in person that all those economic theories became a living, breathing reality.
A Lifeline When It Mattered Most
In Bali, I met educators, community leaders, and regular people who were quietly taking back control of their futures. I realized that Bitcoin wasn’t just a trading game for wealthy investors; it was a way to save the value of my time. It was a tool for hope.
I started saving in Bitcoin, focusing entirely on the long term. And I am so endlessly grateful that I did.
A few months ago, my mother got sick. As young Indonesians, we know this reality well—when a parent gets sick, the financial and emotional burden falls heavily on us. It is a scary, overwhelming responsibility. If I had not learned what savings are and why they are important, I don’t know how we would have survived the crushing weight of this period.
But because I had taken the time to understand what money is, and because I chose to save in a hard asset that cannot be diluted by governments, I was able to step up. I was able to help my family through our darkest time. Bitcoin wasn’t just a chart on a screen anymore; it was my mother’s medicine, her care, and our peace of mind.
The Value of Showing Up
This brings me to why I am writing this today. After an incredible year of personal growth, I just found out about another upcoming event: the My First Bitcoin Unconference in Surabaya on the 22nd of August.
To the young Indonesians reading this—especially the women who feel the pressure to support their families—I know it can be intimidating. I know it feels easier to just stay home, scroll through social media, and read about Bitcoin online. But the real magic happens when you step out of your comfort zone.
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The internet is great for discovering information.
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But life-changing trust and knowledge are built when you meet people in person.
They even had an event ONLY FOR WOMAN which I really loved! I made so many friends here!
Events like the Unconference are where true adoption happens—person by person, conversation by conversation. It’s where you find your community, ask the “stupid” questions without judgment, and learn how to build a foundation for your life that nobody can take away.
You don’t need to be an expert in technology or finance to belong here. You just need to be brave enough to show up, open your mind, and try.
I’ll be in Surabaya. I hope to see you there, too.
– Ratna
