Cryptocurrencies have transformed the global economy with stories of digital riches and tragedies. But behind their promise of financial freedom lies an urgent challenge: identity validation. In an ecosystem where losing a password can cost millions, and anonymity attracts crime, how can we ensure trust without slowing down innovation?
Just over a decade ago, talking about cryptocurrencies was like talking about a book by Isaac Asimov, George Orwell, or Arthur C. Clarke. But as so often, reality surpasses fiction. Today, millions of people around the world own digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Solana, with stories ranging from instant riches to unthinkable losses due to a simple forgotten password.
It all started in 2009 with the emergence of Bitcoin, created by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, whose identity has been the subject of multiple theories: he could be a Japanese cryptographer, a British scientist, a group of programmers, or even people like Elon Musk. The idea was simple but revolutionary: to create a decentralized digital currency, without banks or governments, backed by blockchain technology, which records all transactions publicly and securely.
The inspiration came from cypherpunk movements and the distrust generated by the 2008 financial crisis. The goal? To return financial control to the people.
Basic guide to storing cryptocurrencies safely
As many of us already know, holding cryptocurrencies is like holding digital cash. You can buy them on specialized platforms (called exchanges) and store them in digital wallets, which can be apps, physical devices, or even paper wallets with QR codes.
Some people invest directly in currencies such as Bitcoin either Ethereum, others They buy shares of companies linked to the crypto world (like Coinbase or crypto mining companies). But there's one crucial detail: if you lose access to your wallet, no one can help you recover it.
This fact leads us to remember some of the most famous cases such as that of Stefan Thomas, a programmer who forgot the password to his wallet containing 7,002 bitcoins (worth more than $400 million today). Tragically, he only has two attempts left to access it before it's deleted forever.
Another iconic case is that of James Howells, who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 bitcoins. He has offered millions of dollars to the local government to search for it in a landfill in Wales, but so far without success.
On the other hand, there are stories like that of Erik Finman, who bought bitcoins at age 12 with money from his grandmother and, years later, became a millionaire before turning 20.
How much does a crypto cost and how much did a crypto cost before?
Let's analyze the case of Bitcoin:
2010: less than $$0.01 per unit
2017: around $$20,000
November 2021: reached an all-time high of nearly $1,400,000
Mid-2025: around $70,000, with frequent ups and downs
Others, like Ethereum, went from being worth pennies to over $1,000 USD at their peak.
According to data from Crypto.com, it is estimated that in 2025 there are more than 600 million people in the world own some cryptocurrency, which represents about 7% of the global population; a figure that could grow by 2028 by up to 48%Growth is accelerating, driven by increased adoption, financial inclusion, and the attraction of blockchain technology.
The Dark Side: Money Laundering and Financial Risks
As you might expect, cryptocurrencies have also attracted the attention of criminals due to their relative anonymity, as they are attractive for money laundering, illicit financing, and tax evasion. Therefore, organizations such as the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) in Mexico have intensified regulation on exchanges and vulnerable activities.
In countries like Mexico, platforms must comply with user identification (KYC) processes and report suspicious transactions. Still, risks persist, especially with decentralized wallets and privacy-focused coins like Monero or Zcash.
Although many platforms have already begun implementing verification measures, others still allow registration with just an email address. This lack of rigorous controls facilitates anonymity and, with it, illicit activity. In an environment as volatile and unregulated as that of cryptocurrencies, Ensuring user identity is not only a matter of security, but also of regulatory compliance.
More and more countries are updating their legal frameworks to require exchanges and decentralized finance platforms to comply with regulatory processes. Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) measures. These measures seek to protect users, prevent fraud, and block criminal networks that exploit decentralization to operate outside the law.
A comprehensive solution for the crypto world
In Tu Identidad, there's a diverse solution that adapts and enables cryptocurrency platforms to easily integrate reliable, fast, and industry-standard validation processes. Our technology allows for the verification of data such as:
- INE, licenses and passports
- CURP
- CLABE account for linking to banking systems
- FaceMatch and Proof of Life (Using 3D modeling for facial recognition and fraud detection such as photographs, makeup, masks, and deepfakes).
From Leap of Faith to Global Dominance: The Evolution of the Crypto World
What seemed like something out of a science fiction novel a decade ago is now part of global economic reality. Cryptocurrencies have become an asset with a growing presence in investment portfolios, businesses, and business strategies. More and more people are joining the crypto ecosystem, whether out of curiosity, necessity, or a vision for the future.
The market continues to expand, and with it, the demands in terms of security, regulation, and technological innovation. Companies operating in this world can no longer afford to make mistakes: they must secure their platforms, build trust, and stay ahead of the curve. In an environment where assets are constantly at risk and the risks are as high as the opportunities, only those that manage to create a solid and competitive ecosystem, capable of scaling at the same pace as the rest of the iceberg, will survive. This reminds us of those first daring individuals who decided to bet a few dollars on something intangible and unknown.