Bitcoiner who tried to trade his way to Alaska shares his ‘humbling’ experience
Bitcoin Proponent’s Attempt to Crypto Trade Across the US Ends in Failure
Thomas Kralow, a crypto trader and educator, recently embarked on a daring journey to travel from New York to Alaska solely funded by trading cryptocurrency. Unfortunately, his ambitious endeavor came to a bitter end 900 miles away from his final destination.
At the start of his journey on August 12, Kralow, along with his assistant Ilya, had a budget of $5,000 in cash. They purchased a dinged-up Mercedes and installed a Starlink antenna on the vehicle for fast internet access, necessary for quick trades. With only $2,500 left to trade their way to Alaska, their journey was set in motion.
However, Kralow’s journey was riddled with challenges. Along the way, they faced lightning storms, wildfires, car troubles, theft, and constantly changing landscapes, all on a razor-thin budget. Despite these obstacles, Kralow revealed that the biggest challenge was the trading itself.
With an initial deposit of $2,500 and daily expenses of $300, they needed to earn around 12 to 14% every day to sustain their trip. Kralow admitted that this was a risky strategy, saying, “Anyone who is into the world of finance would think it’s just suicide, which it kind of was.”
Despite the odds stacked against him, Kralow aimed to convey two main messages through his journey: happiness and Bitcoin. While part of his motivation was to increase his social media following, he wanted viewers to understand the importance of living a fulfilled and grateful life and to learn about the incredible industry and asset that is Bitcoin and blockchain.
The journey turned out to be a humbling experience for Kralow, who frequently showcases his wealth on social media. It allowed him to reconnect with his roots and reminded him of his upbringing in a non-affluent household. He described it as going back to where he came from and enjoying life again.
One surprising aspect of the adventure was the unexpected level of crypto literacy they encountered in certain parts of the United States. Kralow recalled meeting a welder in Louisiana who had extensive knowledge about Bitcoin, despite fitting a stereotypical image associated with the Southern region. On the other hand, he was surprised by the lack of knowledge about crypto and Bitcoin in tech-savvy places like Silicon Valley.
After completing the journey, Kralow has submitted a request to the Guinness Book of World Records, aiming to be recognized for driving more than 5,000 miles while surviving solely on earnings from trading Bitcoin or cryptocurrency.
While his attempt may not have reached its desired destination, Kralow’s journey highlights the challenges and risks involved in trading cryptocurrency. It serves as a reminder that success in the crypto world requires not only knowledge and skills but also perseverance and adaptability in the face of adversity.
