What Most People Miss About Bitcoin (At First) | Imo Bábics | BFM203

Nov 6, 2025

Imrich 'Imo' Bábics, Chief Growth Officer at Relai, shares his journey into Bitcoin since 2017, emphasizing the importance of conviction over impulsive crypto investments. He discusses framing Bitcoin as a reliable savings technology compared to the gamble of altcoins. Imo highlights how education can ease fear around self-custody and promote adoption, while also seeing banks as potential allies in Bitcoin's mainstream acceptance. He candidly addresses Europe's challenges in investor culture and the necessity of regulation for growth.

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ANECDOTE

Early Reckless Entry That Became Conviction

Imrich Bábics jumped into crypto in late 2017 and bought recklessly before fully understanding it.
He stayed through the 2018 crash and built conviction over years while working inside the industry.

ANECDOTE

Police At Bitpanda After Bomb Threat Scam

In early 2018 Imrich experienced panic at Bitpanda when police arrived after a bomb threat scam.
The incident illustrated how chaotic and misunderstood the industry felt in those days.

INSIGHT

Bitcoin As Savings Technology

Bábics frames Bitcoin as a savings technology rather than a get-rich-quick scheme.
He contrasts Bitcoin with broader crypto, which he calls a casino of short-term gambling.

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Imrich "Imo" Bábics is Chief Growth and CMO at Relai, the Swiss Bitcoin-only app that's become Europe's fastest-growing fintech with over 500K downloads and $1 billion in trading volume.

› https://relai.me/bram

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🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO GET NOTIFIED

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🕑 TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction to Immo Babic and Relay

00:53 - Immo's Journey into Bitcoin and Crypto

03:45 - The Evolution of Bitcoin's Perception

08:02 - Understanding Bitcoin vs. Crypto Gambling

10:58 - The Role of Education in Bitcoin Adoption

14:05 - Bitcoin's Place in the Financial System

18:03 - Building a Bitcoin-Only Company

20:54 - Self-Custody and User Responsibility

25:07 - The Future of Banking and Bitcoin Integration

39:27 - Embracing Change in the Financial Landscape

48:18 - Cultural Differences in Investment Mindsets

01:00:06 - The Role of Regulation in Bitcoin Adoption

01:08:16 - Personal Growth Through the Bitcoin Journey

ℹ️ EPISODE SUMMARY

Bram Kanstein and Imo Bábics discuss Imo’s journey into Bitcoin—starting in 2017, getting wrecked, and slowly building the kind of conviction that lasts. He shares lessons from working at both Bitpanda and Relay, and how his perspective shifted from short-term trading to long-term saving. They explore the tension of growing a Bitcoin-only business in a crypto-driven world, why trust is everything in this space, and how banks are already—sometimes unknowingly—accelerating Bitcoin adoption. Imo also dives into the role of regulation in Europe and why clarity is critical for serious builders. This is a conversation about mindset, conviction, and what Bitcoin teaches you after the hype fades.