Rolexes, homes, and financial security: What bitcoin's latest rally has bought for some patient retail bulls

Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/BI

• Bitcoin's 116% climb in 2024 made fortunes for many individual investors.
• Retail investors say they've used the money for cars, homes, and financial freedom.
• Even as the crypto sees big ups and downs, many say they'll hold onto some bitcoin forever.

Bitcoin's stunning 2024 rally minted fortunes for many everyday traders, some of whom, after years of facing off with skeptics, say they've used the cryptocurrency to buy Rolexes...