Crypto Tattoos: The Good, the Bad, and the Cringe

Depending on who you talk to, crypto tattoos might be a source of immense euphoric pride or crippling shame and disgust. For others, seeing a surge of Bitcoin (BTC) tattoos on social media is a reliable top signal.

While most crypto tattoos are a simple appreciation mark, some have practical use cases. However unlikely it may seem, a humble QR code on your arm might be the ticket to receiving generous gifts from anonymous donors. 

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but some cryptocurrency tattoos are undeniably bad. Imagine being inked with a permanent reminder that you lost thousands in an obvious Ponzi scheme.

Let’s explore the humorous, disastrous, and downright wild world of crypto tattoos.

Why Do People Get Cryptocurrency Tattoos?

It might not seem obvious initially, but people get crypto tattoos for the same reason they get any kind of tattoos. Tattoos are a way of telling your unique story and showing the world what’s important to you.

For scores of enthusiasts around the globe, cryptocurrency is more than a financial investment. It’s a belief system, a lifestyle, and for the maximalists, it’s almost a religion. Here are a couple of the most common reasons people get crypto tattoos.

• Solidarity with the Web3 Movement – Many view tattoos as symbols of unwavering support for decentralization and self-custody. Just as Didi Taihuttu, the father of the “Bitcoin family,” got inked the moment he went all-in on Bitcoin, many see it as a rite of passage, marking significant milestones in their crypto journey.
• Spreading the word – With thousands of coin logos inked on people worldwide, crypto tattoos often serve as conversation starters, allowing enthusiasts to preach the power of blockchain technology and digital assets.
• Personal Significance – For some, a particular coin or blockchain project might have changed their life’s trajectory. Throwing spare change into BTC, Ethereum (ETH), or explosive meme coins like Shiba Inu (SHIB) in their early days has helped some crypto traders leave the ‘rat race’ and achieve financial freedom. Why not pay tribute to the coin that got you there?
• Community Networking – People want to join the in-crowd and find their tribe in the digital world. Sporting a Bitcoin or Ethereum tattoo can be a way to identify and network with a global community of like-minded individuals.
• Defiance and Rebellion – at its core, Cryptocurrency challenges traditional financial systems. A crypto tattoo can be a symbol of defiance against established norms. 

Best Crypto and Bitcoin Tattoos

The world of cryptocurrency tattoos is as diverse as the coins themselves. From intricate designs to simple logos, here are some of the most impressive and meaningful crypto tattoos that have caught the eye:

1. Classic Crypto Logos

Perhaps the most common crypto tattoo, a classic crypto logo tattoo, says it all. Whether the wearer is a Bitcoin maxi, a Dogecoin (DOGE) fan, or a staunch Ripple (XRP) supporter, these tattoo designs tell the world that this is their chosen one.

Maybe they love the tech, maybe it made them rich beyond their wildest dreams, or maybe they genuinely believe the SHIB is going to $1 USD. In any case, having the Bitcoin logo inked permanently on your skin proves your belief.

While Dogecoin and Ethereum tattoos are popular now, who knows what the future might hold? For all we know, future bull runs might reveal a swathe of Worldcoin (WLD) and Binance Coin (BNB) tattoos. 

2. BTC Supply Formula

A personal favorite, these Bitcoin supply formula tattoos are more discrete. Instead of rocking around with crypto logos plastered on the skin, these tattoos are a testament to Bitcoin’s promise of scarcity and anti-inflationary principles.

This is a more creative approach to expressing Bitcoin support that goes beyond simply repping the logo and could even help to educate and inform curious future Bitcoiners about why BTC is considered a store of value.

3. Crypto Phrases

Outside of price movements and the financial implications, crypto culture is packed with its own references, slogans, and memes. Popular phrases like ‘HODL’ and ‘STACK SATS,’ referring to satoshis (a divided unit of BTC), can serve as reminders that help people carry out their investment strategy.

Of course, the biggest issue with having a HODL tattoo is convincing people that you haven’t just misspelled ‘HOLD.’

4. QR Codes

A few tech-savvy fans have taken it further by tattooing QR codes linked to their crypto wallets. Think of these as a clever blend of art and functionality, allowing for quick scans and transactions.

These tattoos represent key traits of the crypto world: innovation, belief, and a sprinkle of audacity. At the same time, you’d have to be willing to feel like a walking barcode for the rest of your life. On top of that, imagine you lost access to the wallet, and you’re left with a grainy square that leads nowhere forever.

Worst Crypto Tattoos

While many crypto tattoos are a testament to the bearer’s passion and belief in the digital currency revolution, some choices have raised eyebrows and left wearers plagued with regret. 

Perhaps the most infamous crypto tattoo belongs to Mike Novogratz, the CEO of Galaxy Investment Partners. In March 2021, when Terra Luna (LUNA) was trading around $15, Novogratz invested millions in the altcoin and promised his Twitter followers that he’d get a Terra-themed tattoo if LUNA ever hit $100 USD.

Imagine the excitement amongst ‘Lunatics,’ the name given to LUNA fans, when LUNA eventually broke the $100 wall last year. Novogratz was proud to show his fresh ink in early 2022, which featured a howling wolf, the moon, and the LUNA ticker.

Fast-forward a few months, and LUNA is trading at under a dollar after a catastrophic depeg of the UST stablecoin that all but destroyed the Terra Ecosystem. Crypto news outlets were quick to humiliate Novogratz, calling his LUNA piece ‘the worst tattoo in history.’

Despite this, Novogratz has chosen to keep the LUNA tattoo, letting it serve as a painful reminder of the crypto market’s brutal volatility. But it could still be worse…

While Terra Luna was a failed project with good intentions, Bitconnect was nothing more than a hollow Ponzi scheme. Next time, if you want to get a coin logo tattooed permanently on your body, maybe you should just sell instead.

NFT Tattoos

Let’s not let cryptocurrency tattoos take all the spotlight. NFT tattoos have also had their time in the sun. The US-based rapper Gunna spent over $300,000 USD on a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT and got it tattooed on his leg.

Gunna appears to have no regrets despite Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs being valued at roughly $55,000 USD. A quick glimpse at the on-chain data suggests he’s holding strong and hasn’t sold his ape since purchasing it in December 2021. 

Are Crypto Tattoos a Good Idea? The Pros and Cons

Crypto tattoos are certainly a bold statement. For many, they’re a badge of honor in the Web3 world and a personal emblem of a transformative journey. For others, they’re cringe-inducing and represent poor decision-making in the face of euphoria.

Are crypto tattoos truly a wise choice?

Pros

• Personal Significance – If someone has been sufficiently moved to get a crypto tattoo, it’s probably because it’s important to them. Perhaps their crypto journey has been life-changing. A tattoo can permanently remind you of milestones, achievements, and beliefs.
• Community Bonding – Sporting a crypto tattoo can be a way to connect with like-minded people with similar goals and interests, fostering a sense of belonging in the vast crypto universe.

Cons

• The Fickleness of Crypto – Volatility in the crypto market means that today’s favorite coin could be tomorrow’s forgotten relic. Don’t be like Mike Novogratz.
• Safety – Flaunting crypto tattoos is like painting a target on your back. Even if you’re the world’s worst trader and you’re down bad, petty criminals will see a crypto logo and think you might hold a fortune. 
• Trouble in Anti-crypto destinations – While it’s becoming more widely accepted globally, cryptocurrency is illegal in some countries. Having crypto tattoos might be considered problematic in some jurisdictions.

On the Flipside

• Ultimately, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If cryptocurrency is important to you and you want to get a crypto tattoo inked, don’t let anyone stop you. Just remember that anything can happen anytime, and nothing is guaranteed to go to the moon.

Why This Matters

Human emotion is funny; while some people see crypto tattoos as a testament to their belief in a particular digital asset, others see it as a top signal and the perfect time to sell and exit the market.

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