Bitcoin is playing an Infinite Game - and reaches another ATH

If you’re wondering how Bitcoin has continually breached all-time highs despite conventional wisdom dictating that it should be impossible, then you’re in the right place. Or if you are not surprised at all that Bitcoin is closing in on $90,000 USD, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised at a new kind of take on Bitcoin. Either way, it’s time to start asking deeper questions about what drives the value proposition behind Bitcoin and Lightning Network, especially if you want to benefit from its explosive growth. And that doesn’t necessarily mean just buying and holding Bitcoin (although that is what Blackrock is encouraging sophisticated investors to consider). But, you can also ride on Bitcoin’s technological coat-tails; whether you’re an individual, small business, or large enterprise. But let’s take a step back first and understand what makes Bitcoin continue to tick.

What we’d propose is that the world often prioritizes short-term wins. Meanwhile, Bitcoin, and its use of the Lightning Network, is rewriting the rules by playing a different kind of game—one that doesn't end until every other player simply runs out of resources or the will to continue. This philosophy is captured perfectly by Simon Sinek's concept in his book, The Infinite Game. Bitcoin isn't racing to some arbitrary finish line; it's in it for the long haul. The beauty of Bitcoin lies in its commitment to being an enduring form of money, a store of value that stands resilient while others rise and fall.

The notion of persistence and resilience over mere speed—has propelled Bitcoin to continually reach new all-time highs. Unlike other cryptocurrencies and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), which are in a relentless sprint to outpace one another, Bitcoin focuses on being sustainable, reliable, and antifragile, and the Lightning Network plays a crucial role in ensuring rapid, low-cost transactions, further enhancing these attributes. The others might dazzle with momentary innovation, but Bitcoin is here to play the game for as long as it takes.

Infinite Game: Outlast, Not Outpace

Simon Sinek explains that an infinite game has no defined endpoint. It goes on until the other players drop out, unable to continue either due to lack of will or resources. Bitcoin is uniquely equipped to thrive in an infinite game. It has no CEO, no centralized authority, and no board of directors that could potentially lose interest or run out of funds. Instead, it runs on consensus, driven by a community that sees the vision of a peer-to-peer decentralized future.

Bitcoin's success lies in its resilience and determination, not in a need to out-innovate every moment. The Lightning Network further solidifies Bitcoin’s ability to handle transactions at scale while maintaining its core values of decentralization and security. Many other cryptocurrencies are like startups with flashy CEOs and bold promises, looking to "win" against each other in the short-term. They introduce features and chase headlines, seeking to attract investors with the next big thing. But Bitcoin doesn't play by those rules. It's here to outlast, even if that means being seemingly behind at times. The goal is not to be the fastest—it's to be the last one standing.

Consider the analogy of Microsoft versus Apple. Both companies have spent decades innovating, competing, and adapting, yet neither has "won." There is no definitive "best"; there is only being behind or ahead at a particular moment. The game never stops. Similarly, Bitcoin doesn't seek to eliminate every other asset; it seeks to remain relevant while others inevitably falter. In the infinite game of monetary systems, there is no best. There is only the long march forward.

Bitcoin Versus the Skeptics

One of Bitcoin's significant challenges is the public skepticism shaped by years of association with scams and shady characters. Skeptics often point to the horror stories they have heard—tales of scammers who lured people with slick presentations on Bitcoin, only to disappear with their money. It's an unfortunate reality that scammers have used Bitcoin as part of their toolkit, making it appear as if the technology itself is suspect. But it's important to differentiate the tool from the misuse.

Consider email. Scammers also use email to deceive people, yet nobody suggests abandoning email altogether. Instead, we learn to discern between legitimate and fraudulent messages. The same approach applies to Bitcoin. When engaging with skeptics, it helps to preface conversations with this distinction: "Scammers use Bitcoin to sound knowledgeable and trustworthy, but that doesn't make Bitcoin itself a scam. Just like with email, you have to do your own research." Building trust is key, and those who learn to distinguish between Bitcoin's actual value and the scams that tarnish its reputation often become the most dedicated advocates.

Many people who were initially skeptical later express gratitude when they finally understand Bitcoin's true potential. Those early, negative associations fade when they see the role Bitcoin can play as a global, decentralized store of value. The process of encouraging people to do their own research helps establish trust—not just in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network, but in you as a reliable source of information. This trust is invaluable and underscores Bitcoin's strength: it isn’t just about being the most advanced technology, it's about building enduring relationships and reliability.

Key Elements of Bitcoin's Infinite Game

In his book, Simon Sinek outlines several core components of playing the infinite game: a just cause, courageous leadership, trusting teams, a worthy rival, and existential flexibility. Bitcoin, along with the Lightning Network, exhibits these components in various ways:

1. Just Cause: Bitcoin was created with a clear mission—to provide an alternative, decentralized monetary system. It offers financial sovereignty, a means of escaping hyperinflation, and a way to transact without intermediaries. This just cause is why so many people are drawn to it, and why they continue to support it even when the price fluctuates.

2. Courageous Leadership: Bitcoin lacks a traditional leader, but the early advocates and developers have shown tremendous courage. They faced regulatory pushback, public skepticism, and technological challenges, yet they persevered. This courage laid the foundation for Bitcoin's resilience today.

3. Trusting Teams: The Bitcoin network relies on a decentralized, global team of miners, developers, and users. Trust isn’t given lightly; it’s earned through transparency and consistency. The system's open-source nature means that anyone can inspect the code, ensuring that trust is built through verification, not blind faith.

4. Worthy Rival: Bitcoin's rivals aren't just other cryptocurrencies; they include traditional financial systems, gold, and even fiat currencies. These rivals push Bitcoin to improve. The competition isn't about elimination but about betterment—driving Bitcoin to refine its value proposition as the ultimate store of value.

5. Flexible Playbook: Bitcoin demonstrates existential flexibility in how it evolves while maintaining its core principles. Network upgrades like Taproot show that Bitcoin can adapt, adding functionality without compromising its original mission. It isn’t rigid; it’s thoughtful and deliberate in its development.

Bitcoin and the Lightning Network's Path Forward

Other cryptocurrencies are obsessed with proving themselves the "Ethereum killer" or the next best thing. They focus on being ahead in the short run—on transaction speed, scalability, or on being the favorite child of venture capital. But Bitcoin doesn’t need to be flashy. It doesn’t need to win today’s battle, because it is intent on winning the war of endurance.

Bitcoin’s real competition is itself—constantly refining, improving, and growing. It competes to maintain the highest level of security, to ensure its decentralization, and to be the strongest form of digital gold. It's not here to impress the market with shiny new features every six months; it’s here to prove its worth as a reliable store of value and a robust monetary network.

Bitcoin’s price reaching new all-time highs is not just a financial phenomenon—it’s also a testament to the value provided by the Lightning Network in scaling transactions efficiently. It’s a testament to its staying power, its philosophy of the infinite game, and its ability to earn and re-earn the trust of its users over time. The highs are milestones that show Bitcoin isn’t just surviving; it’s thriving, outlasting skeptics, critics, and competitors.

And, at Neutronpay, we believe the Lightning Network is what makes Bitcoin immediately useful to traditional businesses and everyday persons who want money and payment systems designed to last in the real-time digital world.

To join in on the network of 500 million Lightning-enabled users, download the Neutronpay app, available on iOS and Android.

For enterprises, contact us for API integration to give your customers instant, low-cost transactions between Lightning Network and their local currencies.

Neutronpay's vision is to contribute to inventing the future of finance with Bitcoin's Lightning Network, by enabling 21st-century internet money for the unbanked, starting in Asia. Neutronpay is bridging the worlds of traditional and decentralized finance.