In December 2011, a college student asked a seemingly ordinary question on Zhihu: "I'm a junior with 6,000 yuan—what’s a good investment advice?" The response, brief and bold, would later become legendary in China's crypto history.
"Buy Bitcoin. Keep your wallet file safe. Forget you ever had 6,000 yuan. Check again in five years."
That answer came from Long Jia—an engineer, sci-fi writer, and later a key figure in China’s blockchain movement. At the time, he used the pseudonym "blockchain," a term not yet widely known. Today, that single reply has over 30,000 upvotes and 6,600+ comments, with users reflecting on lost fortunes and missed life-changing opportunities.
Had the student followed the advice? With Bitcoin peaking at nearly $19,000 in 2017, that initial 6,000 yuan (roughly $900 then) could have turned into tens of millions. But the real twist isn’t about wealth—it’s about regret. Not the student’s. Long Jia’s.
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The Engineer Who Introduced Bitcoin to China
Long Jia, born Liu Zhipeng, was a graduate with a degree in geology. In 2010, he joined the Guangxi Land and Resources Planning Institute as an engineer, publishing academic papers on mineral resources in the Beibu Gulf region.
But his passion lay elsewhere—on the internet, under multiple aliases. On Zhihu and Weibo, he was already building a reputation not just as a thinker but as a visionary. Under the name “Long Jia”—a poetic reference from Qu Yuan’s Li Sao (“wearing a long sword, crowned with towering clouds”)—he had already earned acclaim in China’s sci-fi community, winning the prestigious Galaxy Award three years in a row (2006–2008).
Yet it was his lesser-known identity—"BlackbeardBitcoin"—that would shape his legacy.
Inspired by One Piece (where Blackbeard is a major antagonist), he used this handle to run a Weibo account promoting Bitcoin in its earliest days. It was through this account that early adopters like Zhang Ming first encountered cryptocurrency. In 2012, Zhang used his 3,000 yuan New Year’s money to buy Bitcoin at $5 each—eventually earning millions.
Little did he know, “Blackbeard” was actually Long Jia.
Back then, Bitcoin was still dismissed as digital nonsense. Media headlines screamed “Bitcoin Is Dead.” But Long Jia saw something deeper. He had already written a sci-fi story in 2008 titled “The Art of Dragon-Slaying,” where a hacker uses distributed computing to wield power—a concept eerily close to blockchain’s core philosophy.
When he read Satoshi Nakamoto’s whitepaper, he felt it: The future had arrived.
He bought his first Bitcoin via Taobao, nervously ensuring the seller wouldn’t back out. “I thought: what if foreigners don’t want to sell to me?” he recalled with a laugh.
Founding China’s First Blockchain Forum
In 2011, while working full-time as a government engineer, Long Jia launched 8btc (Babbitt)—China’s first dedicated blockchain forum. At a time when English forums like Bitcointalk dominated, Babbitt became a crucial hub for Chinese enthusiasts.
He manually translated posts, shared insights, and even posted his Bitcoin address for donations. One day, a message appeared:
"Your site is great. Here’s 0.168 BTC to help you get a domain."
The donor? Wu Jihan—future co-founder of Bitmain, the world’s largest Bitcoin mining company.
This small act of support marked the beginning of a community. Long Jia continued running Babbitt part-time while maintaining his government job—a quiet double life balancing bureaucracy and digital revolution.
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The Turning Point: Fame, Fortune, and Regret
By 2013, Bitcoin surged past $1,200—briefly exceeding gold’s price per ounce. Suddenly, Long Jia’s seven-year-old Zhihu answer went viral. People called him a prophet. Some accused him of being part of a cult.
But fame came with discomfort.
In April 2013, Long Jia officially transitioned from “BlackbeardBitcoin” to using his real pen name on Weibo. His profile picture? A knight on horseback—lance in one hand, shield marked with a "B" for Bitcoin.
He was no longer just a sci-fi writer or an engineer. He was now a public face of Chinese crypto.
Yet the more attention he received, the more uneasy he became.
“I deeply regret ever giving that advice,” he admitted in a later interview.
Why?
Because what started as a mission to spread awareness about decentralized technology had morphed into a get-rich-quick narrative. People weren’t excited about blockchain’s potential—they wanted to know if they could retire early.
“That student shouldn’t have relied on a stranger’s advice,” Long Jia said. “Putting your happiness in someone else’s hands isn’t laziness—it’s foolishness.”
He stopped answering investment questions on Zhihu. Declined invitations to panels. Refused to repeat the message that made him famous.
“If I could give her advice again,” he said, “I wouldn’t tell her to buy Bitcoin. I’d tell her to focus on herself—on poetry, dreams, growth. And even if she had bought it? She might’ve sold too early. Or panicked during the crash. Luck plays a role—but so does wisdom.”
The Bigger Lesson: Invest in Yourself
Long Jia’s journey reflects a deeper truth about innovation and human behavior.
- Timing matters, but so does understanding.
- Opportunities abound, but wisdom separates winners from bystanders.
- And no amount of “expert advice” can replace personal responsibility.
He once believed more people needed to know about Bitcoin—not to get rich, but to grasp the revolutionary idea of trustless systems, decentralized value, and digital sovereignty.
Instead, many saw only price charts.
Today, Long Jia remains involved in blockchain development but avoids public commentary on price speculation. His focus has shifted back toward technology and long-term impact.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Did anyone actually follow Long Jia’s advice and become wealthy?
A: While we don’t know about the original student, several early adopters—including Zhang Ming—have confirmed they entered crypto through Long Jia’s Weibo or Babbitt forum and achieved significant financial success.
Q: Why did Long Jia regret recommending Bitcoin?
A: Not because Bitcoin failed—but because his message was misinterpreted. He wanted to promote blockchain education, not fuel speculative mania.
Q: Is Long Jia still involved in cryptocurrency?
A: Yes. Though he avoids media attention, he continues working on blockchain infrastructure and technological innovation behind the scenes.
Q: What happened to the original Zhihu post?
A: It remains live on Zhihu with over 30,000 upvotes and thousands of comments—a digital monument to opportunity, hindsight, and human psychology.
Q: Could someone replicate this kind of return today?
A: While early-mover advantages are rare, new technologies like DeFi, Web3, and tokenized assets continue emerging. The key is education—not blind speculation.
Q: What should new investors learn from this story?
A: Focus on understanding technology and markets. Don’t rely on single pieces of advice—even from experts. True wealth comes from knowledge, patience, and critical thinking.
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- Bitcoin investment
- Blockchain technology
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- Long Jia
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- Zhihu crypto advice
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- Financial decision-making
This story isn’t just about one man’s regret—it’s a cautionary tale for every investor navigating the volatile world of digital assets. The next big opportunity may already be here. The question is: Are you informed enough to recognize it?