Mark Zuckerberg stole Facebook from them. So they sued him for $65...
Chirag | AI creator@DivineManhood
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Jan 02, 2025
~3 min read
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Mark Zuckerberg stole Facebook from them.
So they sued him for $65 million.
Now they're crypto billionaires.
6 lessons from the wild story of the Winklevoss twins:
So they sued him for $65 million.
Now they're crypto billionaires.
6 lessons from the wild story of the Winklevoss twins:
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Let's start with betrayal.
In 2004, two Harvard twins had an idea for a social network and hired a coding genius named Mark Zuckerberg to build it.
Months later, Facebook launched. But there's a problem - the twins weren't part of it.
Furious, they sue Zuckerberg. Meanwhile:
In 2004, two Harvard twins had an idea for a social network and hired a coding genius named Mark Zuckerberg to build it.
Months later, Facebook launched. But there's a problem - the twins weren't part of it.
Furious, they sue Zuckerberg. Meanwhile:
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Facebook has exploded in popularity.
In 2008 (after a 4-year lawsuit), the twins settled for $65 million - $20 million cash and $45 million in Facebook stock.
Most would've walked away. But the Winklevosses? They were just getting started...
Here's where it gets interesting:
In 2008 (after a 4-year lawsuit), the twins settled for $65 million - $20 million cash and $45 million in Facebook stock.
Most would've walked away. But the Winklevosses? They were just getting started...
Here's where it gets interesting:
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The twins held onto that Facebook stock.
Despite feeling wronged, they believed in the company's potential. And it was a good call:
By Facebook's 2012 IPO, their $45 million in stock grew to $200 million.
Their "enemy's" success became their windfall. But it doesn't stop here:
Despite feeling wronged, they believed in the company's potential. And it was a good call:
By Facebook's 2012 IPO, their $45 million in stock grew to $200 million.
Their "enemy's" success became their windfall. But it doesn't stop here:
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Fast-forward to Summer 2013.
The twins heard about Bitcoin. Price at the time? Just $8 per coin.
Intrigued, they spent months researching – and they concluded:
This would be bigger than Facebook.
So they made a bold move that left everyone stunned...
The twins heard about Bitcoin. Price at the time? Just $8 per coin.
Intrigued, they spent months researching – and they concluded:
This would be bigger than Facebook.
So they made a bold move that left everyone stunned...
1:24
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They bought 1% of ALL Bitcoin in circulation.
Cost: $11 million
Amount: 120,000 BTC
People called them crazy. "Magic internet money," they scoffed.
But their bet wasn't on currency. It was on a financial revolution
Here’s the secret👇
gumroad.com/a/9448147/AxfYH
Cost: $11 million
Amount: 120,000 BTC
People called them crazy. "Magic internet money," they scoffed.
But their bet wasn't on currency. It was on a financial revolution
Here’s the secret👇
gumroad.com/a/9448147/AxfYH
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To them, Bitcoin was:
• Limited in supply (only 21 million ever)
• Decentralized (no government control)
• Borderless (send money anywhere, instantly)
They believed it could transform finance. But owning Bitcoin wasn't enough:
• Limited in supply (only 21 million ever)
• Decentralized (no government control)
• Borderless (send money anywhere, instantly)
They believed it could transform finance. But owning Bitcoin wasn't enough:
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The crypto world in 2015 was like the Wild West - risky and unregulated.
The twins saw an opportunity.
So they launched Gemini, a regulated crypto exchange – think of it like a stock exchange but for digital currencies.
Here's how it worked:
The twins saw an opportunity.
So they launched Gemini, a regulated crypto exchange – think of it like a stock exchange but for digital currencies.
Here's how it worked:
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Gemini brought trust to the crypto world.
It followed the rules, insured deposits, and kept everything secure.
The twins became Bitcoin's biggest fans, speaking at events & teaching people about it.
Why? More people using Bitcoin = rising value. Here are the numbers:
It followed the rules, insured deposits, and kept everything secure.
The twins became Bitcoin's biggest fans, speaking at events & teaching people about it.
Why? More people using Bitcoin = rising value. Here are the numbers:
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By 2017, Bitcoin's price hit $20,000.
Remember their $11 million investment? It was now worth $1.3 billion.
But they didn't cash out. Instead, they invested even MORE in the crypto world, expanding globally & pushing for crypto adoption.
This long-term thinking paid off:
Remember their $11 million investment? It was now worth $1.3 billion.
But they didn't cash out. Instead, they invested even MORE in the crypto world, expanding globally & pushing for crypto adoption.
This long-term thinking paid off:
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2020 hit. COVID spread. Governments printed trillions of dollars.
Suddenly, people started seeing Bitcoin as "digital gold" - a way to protect wealth when times are uncertain. By 2021, Bitcoin soared past $60,000.
The twins' crypto empire was now worth billions.
Suddenly, people started seeing Bitcoin as "digital gold" - a way to protect wealth when times are uncertain. By 2021, Bitcoin soared past $60,000.
The twins' crypto empire was now worth billions.
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Today, they're still working to make crypto mainstream:
• Making Gemini easier to use
• Pushing for clear crypto laws
But the Winklevoss story isn't just about crypto. It's a masterclass in turning setbacks into opportunities with 100 MENTAL MODELS👇
gumroad.com/a/9448147/AxfYH
• Making Gemini easier to use
• Pushing for clear crypto laws
But the Winklevoss story isn't just about crypto. It's a masterclass in turning setbacks into opportunities with 100 MENTAL MODELS👇
gumroad.com/a/9448147/AxfYH
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Use rejection as a redirector.
Facebook's door closed, but it opened a window to a billion-dollar crypto future. Sometimes, your rival's success can fuel your own.
Holding onto that Facebook stock? Genius move.
The key takeaways:
Facebook's door closed, but it opened a window to a billion-dollar crypto future. Sometimes, your rival's success can fuel your own.
Holding onto that Facebook stock? Genius move.
The key takeaways:
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Spot trends early, then go all-in. The twins didn't just buy Bitcoin; they built an entire ecosystem around it.
Always think long-term, reinvesting into a bigger vision.
Educate your market. By teaching others about crypto, the twins grew the industry - and their influence...
Always think long-term, reinvesting into a bigger vision.
Educate your market. By teaching others about crypto, the twins grew the industry - and their influence...
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Stay curious about emerging trends. It could be the next goldmine.
Don't let "no" stop you. Let it fuel you.
Remember: today's setback might redirect you to tomorrow's billion-dollar idea.
What will be your $65 million revenge story?
Don't let "no" stop you. Let it fuel you.
Remember: today's setback might redirect you to tomorrow's billion-dollar idea.
What will be your $65 million revenge story?
1:24
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Even people like Mark Zuckerberg used 100 Mental Models.
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Get '100 Mental Models' to:
• Make better decisions
• Learn critical thinking
• Excel at everything
• Live a happy
Even people like Mark Zuckerberg used 100 Mental Models.
Grab your copy here:
gumroad.com/a/9448147/AxfYH
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2. Retweet the 1st tweet below to share this thread.