A young individual who is involved in the world of cryptocurrency has devised a unique plan to raise awareness for global financial literacy. The 23-year-old crypto user, Dadvan Yousuf, intends to display a flag with the iconic Bitcoin (BTC) logo at the peak of Mount Everest. This endeavor was announced in a post on February 28. Yousuf plans to embark on his journey between the months of April and May, carrying the BTC flag to the summit and then returning it to the base camp. The purpose of this expedition is to shed light on the unequal access to financial education on a global scale.
Yousuf’s involvement in the crypto space began in 2011 when he acquired approximately $340 worth of Bitcoin. Over time, he expanded his investments to include Ether (ETH) and nonfungible tokens (NFTs). Born in Iraq and currently residing in Dubai, Yousuf’s reported net worth surpassed $300 million as of January 2022.
The issue of overtourism at Mount Everest has been a growing concern in recent years. With the summit becoming a popular subject on social media, many inexperienced climbers attempt the treacherous journey without adequate preparation for the harsh conditions. In 2023, eighteen individuals lost their lives in their quest to reach the top of the world, with a significant number of fatalities occurring in the perilous “death zone” above 8,000 meters.
Another pressing problem on Everest is the accumulation of trash left behind by climbers, including discarded oxygen tanks, food, camping supplies, and even human waste. Yousuf is determined to address this issue during his ascent to the 8,849-meter summit. He pledges to bring back everything he takes with him, ensuring that no trace is left behind, including flags. Preserving the pristine environment of Everest is of utmost importance to Yousuf, who aims to make a minimal impact and leave only footprints.
Yousuf expressed his commitment to Cointelegraph, stating, “I’m dedicated to preserving Everest’s untouched environment. I will ensure that my presence has the least impact possible and that I only leave behind my footprints.”
In the past, there have been other climbers who attempted to promote cryptocurrency on mountain peaks. In 2018, three crypto enthusiasts announced their intention to place a Ledger wallet at the summit of Everest. However, tragedy struck when one of the sherpas accompanying the group lost their life during the descent. Additionally, in 2023, a climber financed his expedition to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania partly with Bitcoin, as part of an initiative to raise awareness for financial literacy.
At the time of this article’s publication, Bitcoin experienced a brief surge, reaching a high price of $64,000 in 2024 before dropping below $61,000.
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