How one grandfather used Bitcoin to build for the next generation

As Bitcoin reaches a new all-time high, I’ve been thinking about the many ways people have used it to change their lives. Some stories are loud, others happen quietly and without much fanfare. One client I worked with about a year ago stands out for exactly that reason. His story is proof that even modest steps outside of your comfort zone can create opportunities, especially when paired with patience.

He was nearing retirement and had built his life on steady habits and sound decisions. Back in 2012, he set aside a small portion of his paycheck and bought some Bitcoin. It wasn’t a high-conviction move or a big play—just a curious step outside his usual financial routine. He didn’t trade it. He didn’t build a strategy around it. He simply left it alone and watched.

Over the years, he saw the price climb. He considered selling but never felt the urgency to do so. Even when the market dropped in 2022, he stayed calm. His initial investment was modest, and he was still ahead. Bitcoin remained a quiet part of his portfolio, until his granddaughter needed help.

She was searching for a home in North Florida, but between high interest rates and soaring home prices, she was struggling to qualify. He wanted to step in. Cosigning wasn’t an option because his debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, was too high to qualify under traditional lending standards. And while he didn’t have enough liquid cash for a down payment, he did have his Bitcoin.

That’s when he started looking into selling some of it. But in the process, he came across Milo.

We spoke about his goal: help his granddaughter secure a home without putting his own financial stability at risk. I walked him through how he could leverage his Bitcoin, meaning use it as collateral, without having to sell it. This would allow him to retain ownership and avoid triggering capital gains taxes while still putting that value to work.

He liked the idea, and we moved quickly. Using a crypto mortgage, he secured a 100% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage on a $415,000 single-family home. No cash out of pocket. No sale of assets. He purchased the home and rented it to his granddaughter, with plans to sell it to her in the future when she could take over the mortgage on her own.

What struck me was his clarity. He wasn’t trying to time the market or optimize every detail. He simply wanted to help his family and found a smarter path to do it—one that didn’t force him to give up the asset he had held onto for over a decade.

And now, with Bitcoin climbing past all-time highs, the impact of his decision is even clearer. If he had sold in February 2024 to contribute to a down payment, he would have missed out on this rally. More importantly, he would have faced a significant capital gains tax bill, reducing what he could actually use to help his granddaughter.

Instead, he kept his Bitcoin intact, avoided unnecessary taxes, and helped someone he loves find stability in a home. He didn’t need to let go of his future to support hers. That’s the part that stuck with me. It wasn’t about chasing returns. It was about choosing a solution that respected both his values and his goals.

That’s the kind of financial freedom Bitcoin was meant to support.

The opinions expressed in the Blog are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or investment product.