Dear Abby Addresses Cryptocurrency Gift Dispute and Family Estrangement
A recent Dear Abby advice column has highlighted the complex intersection of family dynamics and financial gifts, specifically involving cryptocurrency. The column, published on January 24, 2026, features a letter from a woman grappling with a severe breakdown in her relationship with her brother, precipitated by both emotional hurt and a contentious demand for the return of a digital asset.
The Core of the Conflict: A Gift and a Betrayal
The writer explains that several years ago, her brother bestowed upon her a substantial amount of cryptocurrency as a gift. She emphasizes that there was no formal agreement or expectation of repayment attached to this transaction. However, the familial harmony was shattered a couple of years later when the brother committed an act that deeply hurt both the writer and her husband, eroding all trust.
"He did something that hurt me and my husband deeply and destroyed any trust I had in him," the letter states. This led to a significant reduction in contact, not only with the brother but with her extended family as well.
The Apology and the Cryptocurrency Demand
When the writer confronted her brother about his actions and their impact, he offered what she describes as a "sort of" apology that lacked sincerity. Crucially, during this exchange, he expressed a desire to have the cryptocurrency returned to him.
The writer found herself in a difficult position. Due to financial difficulties, she was unable to repay the sum. She reiterates that the cryptocurrency was unequivocally a gift. The brother himself reportedly confessed that giving it away was "a huge mistake." While he initially seemed to drop the demand, the relationship remains fractured, with the writer sensing his lingering resentment.
Abby's Insight: The Real Issue May Be Deeper
In her response, Abigail Van Buren (Jeanne Phillips) suggests that the cryptocurrency is likely a secondary symptom of a more profound problem. She zeroes in on the brother's behavior toward the writer's husband.
"Your problems with your brother have less to do with the cryptocurrency debacle and far more about how he treats your husband," Abby writes. She notes the brother's lack of a "verbal filter" and the husband's sensitivity as key factors. Abby advises the writer that she has every right to proceed with caution and that maintaining some distance may be the healthiest course of action for everyone involved.
A Second Query: Hobby Versus Marital Harmony
The same column features a second letter from a retired woman who finds joy in sewing bags and purses, which she sells at local craft shows to manage inventory, not as a primary business. Her husband, however, strongly disapproves, calling the hobby "silly" and suggesting she discard her creations.
Abby's counsel is firm and supportive of the writer's autonomy. She characterizes the husband's attitude as controlling and encourages the woman to continue her fulfilling hobby without capitulating to pressure, affirming that personal pleasure is a valid pursuit in retirement.
The Dear Abby column, founded by Pauline Phillips and now written by her daughter Jeanne Phillips, continues to be a staple for navigating personal and familial dilemmas, blending timeless relationship advice with modern complications like digital currency disputes.
