In November 2023, Jill Ford — a rising e-commerce entrepreneur — discovered herself buying and selling spreadsheets for sentencing hearings, convicted of financial institution fraud and cash laundering tied to a Primary Avenue Lending Program mortgage.
Ford’s 20-month stint in federal jail wasn’t only a punishment; it was an schooling — one which uncovered her firsthand to the stark inequities of the monetary system and deepened her perception in Bitcoin (BTC) as a device for financial justice.
Rising from incarceration with greater than only a second probability, Ford reentered the crypto world with a mission. She based BitFord Digital, a Dallas-based firm dedicated to sustainable and moral Bitcoin mining—as a result of, as she places it, “Sustainability and ethics are non-negotiable.”
Now, she’s not simply mining Bitcoin; she’s advocating for monetary literacy, pushing for variety in blockchain, and proving that decentralized finance generally is a lifeline for these the standard system leaves behind.
Learn on for our dialog with Ford and learn the way her journey is greater than a comeback story.
How did jail reshape your perspective on conventional monetary methods?
Truthfully, my time in jail was eye-opening. I met so many ladies who have been there due to monetary offenses tied to the fiat banking system, and it actually highlighted how flawed and unfair these methods could be. That’s after I realized simply how highly effective Bitcoin could possibly be. It’s decentralized, clear, and gives individuals a technique to take management of their funds with out counting on outdated, damaged methods by eradicating limitations and offering entry to monetary freedom with out dependence on intermediaries.
What went mistaken with the mortgage from the Primary Avenue Lending Program?
I made some errors—plain and easy. On the time, I didn’t totally perceive the foundations and necessities, and I made choices that violated this system’s phrases. It’s one thing I deeply remorse, however it additionally taught me the worth of accountability, which has develop into a cornerstone of how I strategy every little thing now. It’s additionally fueled my renewed dedication to moral enterprise practices in every little thing I do.
How does Bitford Digital’s mission align together with your journey?
Bitford Digital is principally the following chapter of my life. After every little thing I went by way of, I wished to create one thing that not solely aligned with my experience but in addition addressed the inequities I noticed firsthand. It’s all about moral and sustainable Bitcoin mining whereas making monetary instruments extra accessible to individuals who want them probably the most. It additionally aligns with my perception in second probabilities and the transformative energy of data and alternative.
Why does moral and sustainable Bitcoin mining matter to you?
Sustainability and ethics are non-negotiable for me. At Bitford Digital, we’re investing in renewable vitality and state-of-the-art gear to reduce our environmental footprint. It’s not nearly doing the appropriate factor—it’s about proving that Bitcoin mining generally is a power for good on the planet.
Does Bitford Digital help marginalized communities? What initiatives have you ever launched to empower them?
Completely. Supporting marginalized communities is a large a part of our mission. In partnership with the Bitcoin Transformation Group and its founder, Justin Rhedrick, we’re making a Bitcoin mining restore workshop particularly for ladies who’ve just lately been launched from jail. This initiative builds on their earlier lessons, which primarily served males, and goals to open new pathways for ladies to construct monetary independence and abilities within the crypto and tech area. Moreover, we’ve launched packages that educate monetary literacy to incarcerated people and underrepresented teams, specializing in how Bitcoin can empower them to attain financial freedom.
What are the important thing limitations to monetary literacy you’ve recognized, and the way do you’re employed to beat them?
An enormous barrier is accessibility—so many individuals don’t have the sources or data to navigate monetary instruments. Then there’s belief—conventional methods have let quite a lot of people down. Truthfully, I get it. I didn’t totally perceive issues like fiat forex and loans myself, and that lack of awareness led me to make errors that ended up hurting others, which I actually remorse. That’s why I’m so keen about schooling initiatives, workshops, and mentorship packages—to assist individuals construct the data and confidence they should take management of their monetary futures and keep away from those self same sorts of missteps.
What was probably the most vital lesson you discovered throughout your authorized challenges, and the way has it formed the way in which you lead and innovate immediately?
The most important lesson? Integrity issues in each resolution you make. I discovered the onerous means that slicing corners isn’t value it. I additionally discovered how highly effective cash is—how corrupting it may be and the way debt can enslave you and steal your time. Enterprise homeowners typically aren’t educated in regards to the implications of taking over loans, whereas banks have the sources to rent groups of attorneys. How is that this honest? Now, I lead with transparency, make knowledgeable monetary choices, and guarantee Bitford Digital is an organization individuals can belief.
The blockchain and cryptocurrency area typically wrestle with variety. Why do you suppose inclusive alternatives are so necessary?
Variety brings recent views, which result in higher options. If crypto and blockchain are presupposed to be for everybody, then we want everybody on the desk. By making the trade extra inclusive, we be certain that it serves individuals from all walks of life—not only a choose few. Plus, variety drives innovation. When extra voices and views are concerned, the options we create are extra sturdy and inclusive. In a decentralized system like blockchain, inclusivity ensures the expertise actually serves everybody, not only a choose few. Fostering variety in crypto is essential to reaching its full potential.
Wanting again, what was the turning level and the way did it set you on the trail to founding Bitford Digital?
Truthfully, the turning level was my time in jail. It pressured me to replicate on my errors and take into consideration what I may do in a different way shifting ahead. That’s after I realized I wished to dedicate my work to constructing one thing constructive and impactful, which led to Bitford Digital. It’s my means of turning a troublesome chapter into one thing significant.