6 Crypto Myths That Need to Die in 2025 (And Why They’re Holding You Back)
The crypto revolution keeps charging forward—yet outdated myths still cling like barnacles on a blockchain. Time to torch them.
Myth #1: "Crypto is just for criminals"
Tell that to BlackRock and the SEC. Institutional adoption hit $200B in AUM this year—hardly shadowy stuff.
Myth #2: "It's too late to get in"
Bitcoin’s at $85K? So what. The global asset pie is $900T. Crypto’s slice? Barely 1%. Room to run.
Myth #3: "Blockchains can’t scale"
Layer-2 solutions now process 100K TPS. Visa handles 24K. Game over.
Myth #4: "Governments will ban it"
40 nations have CBDCs in development. They’re joining—not fighting—the party.
Myth #5: "NFTs are dead"
$12B in Q1 2025 sales says otherwise. (Though yes, most JPEGs belong in the trash.)
Myth #6: "It’s all a Ponzi scheme"
Says the industry that gave us 0% interest rates for a decade. Glass houses, folks.
The truth? Crypto’s messy, volatile—and rewriting finance faster than Wall Street can downplay it. Adapt or get rekt.
1. “Crypto Is Only Used by Criminals”
Ah yes, the classic “crypto = crime” myth—one of the oldest crypto myths still haunting group chats and dinner tables everywhere. It got its big break in the early 2010s, when Bitcoin was the unofficial currency of the(no, not the ancient trade route—this was the shady online marketplace where you could buy anything from fake passports to questionable brownies).
But here’s the thing: just because criminals used crypto doesn’t mean it’s only for criminals. That’s like saying cash is evil because someone once robbed a bank with it. In fact, according to a 2024 report from Chainalysis, less thanof all crypto transactions are linked to illicit activity. Compare that to the trillions laundered globally through banks every year—yeah, crypto’s not the bad guy here.
Most people use crypto for perfectly legal things: sending money overseas, investing, collecting NFTs, or staking tokens for passive income. So unless you think Venmo is a front for a cartel, it’s time to let this myth go.
2. “Bitcoin Has No Real-World Use”
This one’s a fan favorite among skeptics and financial “experts” who think bitcoin is just glorified internet points for risk-happy traders. The myth? That Bitcoin does nothing except sit in a wallet and go up (or down) in price. But like many crypto myths, this one crumbles the moment you look past the headlines.
Where the Myth Came From
Media outlets often focus on Bitcoin’s price swings. It makes great drama: one week it’s “digital gold,” the next it’s “worthless.” That narrative ignores what Bitcoin was actually built for: permissionless, borderless, peer-to-peer money.
Real Ways Bitcoin Is Used Today
Far from useless, Bitcoin is already being used around the world in ways that matter:
Lightning Network: Making Bitcoin Fast (and Cheap)
Bitcoin isn’t stuck in 2013 anymore. Theis a LAYER on top of Bitcoin that lets people send BTC instantly with tiny fees—think cents, not $30 gas fees.
Bottom Line
Just because you don’t use Bitcoin to buy tacos doesn’t mean nobody does. This myth is mostly a case of “out of sight, out of mind.” For millions of people living under financial pressure, Bitcoin is more than an asset—it’s a tool for survival.
So yeah… it’s way more than just something you panic sell during a dip.
3. “Blockchain = Bitcoin”
Time to clear up one of the most common crypto myths that refuses to log off: the idea that blockchain and Bitcoin are the same thing. Spoiler: they’re not. That’s like saying “the internet = email.” Sure, email runs on the internet—but the internet is so much more than that. Same deal here.
What Is Blockchain, Really?
At its core, ais just a fancy, tamper-proof digital ledger. Think of it like a shared Google Sheet that anyone can view, no one can edit without permission, and every change gets time-stamped and recorded forever.
Bitcoin was the first major use of this tech. It uses blockchain to track who owns what BTC, when it was sent, and where it went—without needing a bank.
Blockchain’s Greatest Hits (Beyond Bitcoin)
Once developers realized how powerful this “public record that no one can mess with” really was, they started building all kinds of new stuff on it. Some highlights:
And it’s not just about money:
TL;DR
Saying “blockchain = Bitcoin” is like saying “electricity = lightbulbs.” Yes, Bitcoin uses blockchain. But blockchain powers way more than just digital currency—and its best uses might not even exist yet.
So next time someone drops that line, feel free to hit them with a friendly: “Actually…”
4. “Crypto Is Too Volatile to Ever Be Useful”
Let’s be honest: watching your crypto portfolio swing 20% in a day can feel like emotional CrossFit. But here’s the deal—volatility doesn’t make crypto useless. It just means it’s new, growing, and yes, sometimes wild. This is one of those crypto myths that confuses early-stage chaos with long-term failure. Spoiler: they’re not the same thing.
A Little Volatility Is Normal (and Necessary)
Every groundbreaking tech goes through a “hold onto your butt” phase. In the late ’90s,dropped over 90% before becoming a trillion-dollar beast. The early internet? Full of dot-com crashes and dial-up screeches.
Crypto’s volatility is what you get when a brand-new global financial system is still figuring itself out—while the whole world watches.
But People Still Use It — Here’s Why
Despite the rollercoaster charts, crypto is still being used daily around the world:
Meet Stablecoins: The Chill Cousins of Crypto
If price swings freak you out, stablecoins likeandare here to keep things calm. They’re designed to stay pegged to the U.S. dollar (or another stable asset), so you can still use crypto without needing to pop Dramamine.
Use cases include:
The Bigger Picture
Yes, crypto is volatile. So were cars, planes, and the stock market when they were new. That didn’t stop them from changing the world.
So next time someone drops this myth, just nod politely and whisper: “Early tech wobbles are just growing pains, my friend.”
5. “NFTs Are Just Overpriced JPEGs”
Ah yes, the internet’s favorite crypto myth. At this point, “overpriced JPEG” has basically become a meme—but like most memes, it only tells part of the story (and leaves out the good stuff).
The Myth: You Right-Click, You Win
The myth goes something like this: “Why pay for an NFT when I can just screenshot it?” And sure, you can save the image, but that’s like taking a selfie in front of the Mona Lisa and claiming you own it. Cute, but no.
The Reality: NFTs Are All About Ownership and Utility
NFTs (non-fungible tokens) aren’t just about pretty pictures—they’re about,, and. Think of them as digital deeds. Sure, some are art—but others are much more than that.
Here’s what NFTs are actually being used for:
NFTs = Utility + Authenticity
At the heart of NFTs are two things:
Whether it’s getting exclusive drops from your favorite band, accessing token-gated Discords, or proving you bought the first edition of a digital comic—NFTs are receipts, keys, and flexes all in one.
TL;DR
Yes, some NFTs are overpriced. So are some sneakers, watches, and sports cards. That doesn’t mean the tech behind them is a joke. The “just a JPEG” take is one of those crypto myths that sounds smart until you look under the hood.
So go ahead, right-click all you want—but that screenshot won’t unlock a VIP event or earn you royalties.
6. “Crypto Is a Scam”
Here it comes—the granddaddy of all crypto myths. You’ve probably heard someone say it (or thought it yourself): “Crypto is just one big scam.” Between flashy influencers promising moonshots, rug pulls disappearing overnight, and enough Ponzi schemes to make your head spin, it’s easy to see why.
Where This Myth Comes From
Let’s be real—there are scams in crypto. Some projects vanish with your money, some influencers HYPE tokens without a clue, and some deals sound so good they probably shouldn’t be legal. These shady moves get headlines and make headlines stick.
But Here’s the Nuance: Crypto Isn’t the Scam—Some People Are
Crypto is a technology, like the internet or email. It’s a tool. And just like those tools, bad actors can abuse it. That doesn’t mean the whole system is broken.
Remember the early internet days? There were scams, viruses, and phishing emails—did that make the entire internet a hoax? Nope. It meant users needed to be careful and learn how to spot trouble.
Do Your Own Research (DYOR) Is Your Best Defense
If you’re thinking about diving into crypto, here’s the golden rule to keep scams at bay:. That means Don’t just take someone’s word for it—read whitepapers, check the team’s background, search for community feedback, and be skeptical of promises that sound too good to be true.
As you learn more, you’ll start spotting the red flags and keep your money safer.
Bottom Line
Yes, scams happen. But calling crypto a scam is like calling the entire internet a scam because of spam emails. The technology is real, revolutionary, and here to stay. Just keep your eyes open, trust but verify, and remember—not every shiny coin is gold.
Last Word: Stay Smart, Stay Curious
Alright, we’ve busted some of the biggest crypto myths floating around, but let’s keep it real: crypto isn’t perfect. It’s new, sometimes messy, and yeah, the headlines can be wild. But letting these myths scare you off? That’s the real missed opportunity.
The truth is, understanding crypto means peeling back layers of hype, noise, and misinformation. So stay curious. Ask questions. And definitely don’t believe everything you see on TikTok or in random DMs promising you a “guaranteed 10x.”
Remember, the only way to win against crypto myths is to stay informed—and maybe have a little fun along the way.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
