In November 2023, Jill Ford-E-E-commerce entrepreneurs-found themselves trading spreadsheets for sentencing, bank fraud and a main street lending program for money laundering and guilty of money laundering tied to loan.
Ford’s 20 -month tenure in the federal prison was not just a punishment; It was an education – a one who already exposed the financial system of the financial system and deepened his belief in bitcoin (BTC) as a tool for economic justice.
Emerging from clutter with more than only one chance, Ford resumed the Crypto world with a mission. She founded Bitford Digital, a Dallas-based company, which was committed to durable and moral bitcoin mining-because she says, “stability and morality are non-oblivious.”
Now, she is not just mining bitcoin; She is advocating financial literacy, insisting on diversity in blockchain, and proves that decentralized finance can be a lifeline for those traditional systems.
Read for our conversation with Ford and learn that his journey is more than the story of a return.
How did the gel to change your approach on traditional financial systems?
Honestly, my time was going to open my eyes in jail. I met a lot of women, who were there due to financial crimes associated with the Fiat banking system, and it was actually revealed how those systems could be flawed and inappropriate. When I realized how powerful bitcoin could be. It is decentralized, transparent, and provides a way to control people without relying on old, broken systems, which offers access to financial freedom by removing obstacles and depending on middlemen.
What went wrong with loan from the main street lending program?
I made some mistakes- plane and simple. At that time, I did not fully understand the rules and requirements, and I decided that violated the terms of the program. This is something that I regret deeply, but it also taught me the value of accountability, which I have now become the basis of how I do everything. Whatever I do, it promotes my fresh commitment for moral trade practices in it.
How does Bitford Digital mission align with your visit?
Bitford Digital is originally the next chapter of my life. After whatever I was doing, I wanted to make something that not only combined with my expertise, but also addressed the inequalities I saw for the first time. It is all about moral and durable bitcoin mining, while the financial equipment is more accessible to those who need them most. It also aligns with my faith and the transformational power of knowledge and opportunity in other occasions.
Why do you do Moral and durable bitcoin mining Case for you,
Stability and morality are non-oblique to me. In Bitford Digital, we are investing in renewable energy and state -of -the -art equipment to reduce our environmental footprint. This is not just about doing the right thing – it is about proving that bitcoin mining can be a force for good in the world.
Does Bitford support digital marginalized communities? What initiative have you taken to empower them?
Absolutely. Supporting marginalized communities is a major part of our mission. In partnership with Bitcoin Transformation Community and its founder, Justin Rodrick, we are especially making Bitcoin Mining Repair Workshops for women who have recently been released from jail. This initiative is made in their previous classes, which mainly serves men, and aims to open new avenues to create financial freedom and skills in Crypto and Tech Space for women. Additionally, we have launched programs that teach financial literacy to individuals and underpared groups, focusing on how Bitcoin can empower them to achieve financial freedom.
What are important obstacles you identified for financial literacy, and how do you work to overcome them?
There is a major obstacle to reach – so many people do not have resources or knowledge to navigate financial equipment. Then believe – traditional systems have disappointed many people. Honestly, I get it. I did not fully understand things like Fiat currency and debt, and lack of understanding inspired me to fulfill the mistakes that hurt others, which really regrets me. That is why I am very emotional about education initiative, workshops and mentorship programs – people need to control their financial futures and avoid those types of misbehavior to help people to create knowledge and confidence.
The most important lessons you had learned during your legal challenges, and how have you shaped your leadership and innovation how today?
The biggest lesson? In every decision you make, integrity matters. I learned a difficult way that the corners are not worth cutting. I also learned how powerful money is – how it can be corrupted and how the loan can make you a slave and steal your time. Business owners are often not educated about the implications of taking loans, while banks have resources to appoint teams of lawyers. How is this fair? Now, I lead with transparency, make financial decisions, and ensure that Bitford Digital is a company that people can trust.
Blockchain and cryptocurrency spaces often struggle With variety. Why do you think inclusive opportunities are so important?
The variety brings a fresh approach, leading to better solutions. If crypto and blockchain are considered for all, we need all on the table. By making the industry more inclusive, we ensure that it serves people from all areas of life – not only a few. In addition, diversity operates innovation. When more voices and approaches are included, the solutions we create are stronger and inclusive. In a decentralized system like blockchain, inclusion ensures that the technology actually serves everyone, not only a few. Promoting diversity in crypto is important to achieve its full potential.
If you look back, what was the bend and how did it set you on the path of installation of Bitford Digital?
Honestly, I had time in the turning point jail. This forced me to reflect my mistakes and think about that I could move in different ways. When I realized that I wanted to dedicate my work to make some positive and impressive, which caused Bitford to become digital. This is my way to convert a difficult chapter into something meaningful.
