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Lessons from the Crypto Connect Minneapolis

Last week, I had the chance to attend Crypto Connect Minneapolis, a gathering of professionals, innovators, and investors exploring the future of digital assets. The event was a mix of honest conversation, new research, and practical insights — not just hype. It gave me the opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders, ask questions in smaller breakout sessions, and walk away with tools I can bring back to clients.

I also came back with a new read tucked under my arm — The Grayscale Bitcoin Book. The presentation that went with it stood out for one reason: honesty. It wasn’t the typical “all or nothing” pitch you often hear in crypto circles. Instead, it was a clear-eyed look at where Bitcoin fits — and doesn’t fit — in today’s investment landscape.

One moment in particular stuck with me. At the back of the room, I asked a question I often hear from clients with the main speaker, Zach Pandl: Why can’t someone just hack the blockchain? The answer was refreshingly simple — and powerful. Bitcoin miners and the decentralized network make the cost of an attack greater than the reward. That’s the heart of Bitcoin’s security: incentives and decentralization working together.

Blockchain: More Than Just Bitcoin

It’s easy to equate blockchain with Bitcoin, but the technology has much broader applications. Transparency and immutability make blockchain useful in industries far beyond finance:

• Healthcare: secure, tamper-proof medical records
• Supply chains: tracking goods from source to shelf
• Data security: reducing fraud and ensuring integrity across systems

Bitcoin in Portfolios: A Diversifier, Not a Silver Bullet

Over the past five years, Bitcoin’s correlation with the S&P 500 has been 0.4, compared to ~0.9 for most risky assets. That low correlation makes it a potential diversification tool.

Modeling suggests that a 1–5% allocation can improve portfolio efficiency without adding excessive risk. The key is position sizing. Just as with alternatives, commodities, or high-yield credit, the right weight matters more than the headline.

Why Scarcity Still Matters

Scarcity is part of Bitcoin’s DNA. With only 21 million coins ever to exist, it carries a built-in ceiling. That fixed supply is why Bitcoin often gets compared to gold — a “digital store of value” for the modern age.

What Keeps Bitcoin in the Lead

The book made a compelling case for why Bitcoin remains dominant among thousands of cryptocurrencies:

• First-mover advantage: it set the standard for digital assets
• Network effects: the largest user base, the most liquidity, and the deepest trading markets
• Security: the most decentralized, trusted blockchain with the highest number of validating nodes

Should Crypto Be in Your Retirement Account?

Here’s a video where I break down one of the biggest questions clients ask: Should you include crypto — including Bitcoin — in your retirement account?

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Our Approach at Sona Wealth

One thing that really resonated with me at Crypto Connect Minneapolis was how upfront people were about Bitcoin’s risks and benefits. That conversation in the back of the room — about whether the blockchain could be hacked — was one of the most valuable moments. The answer? The decentralized network + miners make hacking extremely costly — far more so than the potential gain.

We believe in bringing that same honesty to our work at Sona Wealth. When we talk about including 1–5% Bitcoin allocations in portfolios, we do it with a clear view of the pros and cons. Because understanding both helps our clients make better decisions — whether they’re comfortable with crypto or still cautious.

If you’d like to talk through what this might look like for you, please use the link below to set up a time: 👉 Schedule a 45-minute meeting with Mark​

Final Thought

Bitcoin has moved from the fringe to the mainstream. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, it’s a conversation we can’t ignore anymore.

The real question isn’t if to consider Bitcoin, but how to do it responsibly.

If you don't have a plan and would like to get one, schedule an Intro Meeting:

To health and wealth!

Mark Struthers, CFA, CFP®, CRC®, RMA®

For current clients looking for a meeting:

This commentary is provided for general information purposes only, should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice, and does not constitute an attorney/client relationship. Past performance of any market results is no assurance of future performance. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed.