BitInstant office, 2013

My Story

I Was There When Bitcoin Was Born

I'm Charlie Shrem, one of Bitcoin's earliest entrepreneurs. Before crypto was mainstream—before the ETFs, the hedge funds, the Twitter armies—I was wiring money out of my parents' basement so people could buy Bitcoin.

In 2011, I co-founded BitInstant, which became the first VC-funded Bitcoin startup in history. Our platform made it possible to buy Bitcoin at over 700,000 locations across the U.S. — including CVS and Walgreens. At our peak, we processed 30% of all global Bitcoin transactions.

We moved fast, broke things, and helped build the rails the entire crypto ecosystem still rides on today.

Then Came the Crash

In 2014, I was arrested and later served two years in federal prison for operating an unlicensed money transmission business. It was one of the first crypto-related cases of its kind. I was young, moving fast, and didn't yet understand the legal boundaries in a completely unregulated frontier.

I took full responsibility and used that time to learn, reflect, and build back better. I read over 140 books, tutored inmates for their GEDs, and developed a renewed vision for the future of crypto.

My Comeback: Building Smarter, Bigger, and for the Long Haul

Since then, I've been on a mission to do it right — not just for me, but for the entire industry.

🎙️ Podcaster & Storyteller
I launched The Charlie Shrem Show, formerly Untold Stories, where I've published over 400 episodes capturing deep conversations with the pioneers of crypto. We've documented the evolution of this revolution — in the voices of the people who built it.

🛠️ Investor & Fund Partner at Druid Ventures
In 2021, I co-founded Druid Ventures, a $13M early-stage crypto VC fund. We focus on infrastructure, scalability, privacy, and interoperability — investing in over 20 groundbreaking Web3 projects. We've built a real community of developers, operators, and visionaries.

🏧 Seed Investor in ByteFederal
I'm a proud seed investor in ByteFederal, one of America's fastest-growing Bitcoin ATM networks. By bringing cryptocurrency access to everyday Americans through thousands of locations, ByteFederal embodies my belief in making Bitcoin accessible to all, not just the tech-savvy.

🎥 Filmmaker at Glass House Distribution
I've also produced and executive-produced a slate of films that have landed on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and in theaters worldwide. Collaborating with incredible talent like Martin Kove, Cuba Gooding Jr., Brett Gelman, Vivica Fox, Erika Christensen, Penelope Ann Miller, and more — storytelling is in my blood.

🏢 Founder, Amalgamated Suncoast Portfolio
Through my family office, I manage investments in digital assets, hard money lending, and local businesses in Florida that empower more than 20 employees. I believe in local impact just as much as global scale.

📢 Founder, Crypto Investor Network (MarketWise)
From 2020 to 2024, I built a crypto investor community of over 75,000 subscribers, delivering actionable insights and early calls before the big headlines.

The Foundation That Helped Define Bitcoin

In 2012, I co-founded the Bitcoin Foundation and served as its first Vice Chairman. We raised money for core developers, advocated for responsible policy, and helped turn Bitcoin from a niche experiment into a global movement.

We weren't perfect. But we were there first. And we set the tone for everything that followed.

Timeline Highlights 📍

What I Stand For