We’re diving into the world of Bitcoins with skateboard legend Tony Hawk. At first, it seems like an unusual pairing—professional athletes and cryptocurrency don’t usually overlap—but according to Hawk, the connection actually makes a lot of sense. He draws a parallel between skateboarding’s rise from counterculture and Bitcoin’s own trajectory. Just like skateboarding, Bitcoin started on the fringes, initially associated with illicit purchases on a now-defunct dark web marketplace called the Silk Road. Despite its unconventional beginnings, Hawk saw potential in the underlying technology and how it functioned as a modern, instantaneous, and anonymous payment system.
Tony first learned about Bitcoin through the Silk Road hype but was less interested in the marketplace itself than the innovative payment system. He began researching how to purchase Bitcoin right away, intrigued by the technological possibilities. Over time, cryptocurrencies have evolved significantly, and Hawk has even embraced them for philanthropic purposes. His charity, the Skatepark Project—which builds public skateparks in underserved areas—has been accepting crypto donations for a few years, and he is now aiming to expand that effort, inspired by other initiatives like Charity Water that are collecting and holding crypto.
When asked about the future of Bitcoin, Hawk acknowledges that many people are skeptical due to its lack of a physical form. However, he argues that the virtual nature of technology doesn’t diminish its potential. In his view, dismissing crypto as a gimmick overlooks the transformative possibilities of digital currency. Hawk’s interest in emerging tech doesn’t stop at cryptocurrency—he is also exploring NFTs, signaling his commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation. By linking skateboarding’s cultural journey with the evolution of Bitcoin, Tony Hawk presents a compelling perspective on how countercultural movements can grow into mainstream phenomena while continuing to embrace innovation
