If I had to lock in $1M for 5 years without touching it, here are 5 realistic contenders, each with its own risk-reward profile:

🥇 Bitcoin (BTC) – The Safe Bet

Why: Proven, secure, and widely adopted. Institutions are pouring in.

Thesis: If crypto survives long-term, BTC will still be at the top.

Risk Level: Low

Expected Role in 5 Years: Digital gold, sovereign treasury asset.

🧠 Ethereum (ETH) – The Innovation Engine

Why: Still the king of DeFi, NFTs, L2s, and smart contracts.

Thesis: ETH burns supply (deflationary), has huge network effects.

Risk Level: Moderate

Expected Role: Global settlement layer and app platform.

🧪 Chainlink (LINK) – The Oracle Backbone

Why: Needed by nearly every serious smart contract system.

Thesis: If DeFi/AI expands, LINK is essential infrastructure.

Risk Level: Moderate-High

Expected Role: Middleware glue of Web3.

⚛️ Cosmos (ATOM) or Polkadot (DOT) – Bet on Interoperability

Why: The internet of blockchains is coming. Someone will win.

Thesis: Scaling = multiple chains. These are leaders.

Risk Level: High

Expected Role: Cross-chain enablers, modular network foundations.

🧬 Wild Card:

AI + Crypto Combo (e.g., FET, AGIX, or OCEAN)

Why: Huge trend emerging — AI on-chain could explode.

Risk Level: Very High

Expected Role: Niche dominators if the sector goes parabolic.

👀 So, what would I pick?

If I had to lock all of it in one coin for 5 years:

→ 60% BTC / 40% ETH (if diversification allowed)

→ Otherwise: ETH — more upside if you believe in Web3 evolution.