Ashok Misra

These were the last words I said to the judge before he sentenced me to two years back in 2014—ten years ago. I didn’t plan them; they just came out. Halfway through, I started feeling like I was rambling and just wanted to wrap it up, hear my sentence, and move on. “Bitcoin is what I love and all I have. It’s my whole life. It’s what I’m on this earth to do, is to help the world see a financial system that does not discriminate and provide for corruption, and I think that Bitcoin will do to money what email did to the postal service. It allowed everyone to be equal. People in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, will have the same opportunities now with Bitcoin, and because of this now, because you can move money instantly and information on a peer-to-peer system. And I think that’s really important. And if your honor grants me that, I’d love to be back out there, helping the world and making sure people don’t do stupid things like I did.” No matter how sad I was feeling, I needed to stay positive with my head up because once I fell into a spiral of self-pity and depression, there would be no coming out. I cannot believe that was 10 years ago! I feel like a new person; it's incredible how the human brain can fill bad memories with good ones. The answer? Make tons of new happy memories with the people you love. Be loved. Being loved is the best gift god gave us. Charlie