The Untold Life of a Crypto Trader: Beyond the Screens
In 2018, Arjun Mehta, a 24-year-old engineer from Mumbai, quit his high-paying job to become a full-time crypto trader. Drawn by stories of overnight millionaires, he invested his savings—$12,000—into Bitcoin, Ethereum, and some lesser-known altcoins. For months, Arjun sat glued to his screen, surviving on instant noodles and black coffee, riding the wave of hope and volatility.
But no one talks about the nights he spent crying silently when Bitcoin plummeted from $19,000 to $3,000 in 2018 (CoinDesk, 2018). He watched 80% of his portfolio vanish. Panic attacks became his new normal. Arjun’s mental health deteriorated—he developed insomnia, anxiety, and withdrew from his social circle.
According to a 2021 Journal of Behavioral Addictions study, 21% of crypto traders show signs of problematic trading behavior, similar to gambling addiction.
A CNBC report from 2022 showed that nearly 40% of Gen Z crypto traders borrowed money, often from friends or credit cards, to trade. Arjun was one of them.
He took a ₹5 lakh loan hoping to recover his losses—but instead fell deeper into debt. The shame of failure haunted him. “Everyone applauds the gains, but no one stands with you in the losses,” Arjun later wrote in a blog post that went viral on Medium.
Yet, amidst the chaos, Arjun found clarity. He stepped away from day-trading, studied financial psychology, and now runs a YouTube channel mentoring young investors on risk management and emotional resilience.
His story reminds us:
Success in crypto is never guaranteed.
The biggest asset isn’t Bitcoin—it’s emotional balance.
Behind every win, there’s a story of a hundred sleepless nights.
This is the story no one tells—but one that must be heard.
