DefiIgnas
0 Following
1 Followers
1 Liked
0 Shared
Posts
Protocols success ≠ token price.
Seems obvious but often overlooked.
Tokens perform better when the team really cases about the token: focusing on liquidity, revenue sharing, and holding/locking their own tokens.
So many cases where token is just a fundraising and liquidity bootstrapping tool.
Seems obvious but often overlooked.
Tokens perform better when the team really cases about the token: focusing on liquidity, revenue sharing, and holding/locking their own tokens.
So many cases where token is just a fundraising and liquidity bootstrapping tool.
Crypto treasury companies imploding was my top signal…
Funny how stablecoins grew fast because the banks didn't want to partner with crypto exchanges and businesses.
By restricting crypto access to banks, stablecoins now pose a risk to the banks themselves.
The greatest self-own mistake by TradFi.
By restricting crypto access to banks, stablecoins now pose a risk to the banks themselves.
The greatest self-own mistake by TradFi.
Any tips on how to be a better profit taker?
And when/how to sell?
I'm okay at identifying new narratives, hot projects, farming airdrops, and yapping but selling is my weak skill.
Last bull cycle I sold $ETH at $2k - was mentally exhausted after a crazy bull run and was afraid to lose more after a 50% dip.
$ETH then pumped 125% after my sell. It was painful.
So, how do we actually take profits?!
And when/how to sell?
I'm okay at identifying new narratives, hot projects, farming airdrops, and yapping but selling is my weak skill.
Last bull cycle I sold $ETH at $2k - was mentally exhausted after a crazy bull run and was afraid to lose more after a 50% dip.
$ETH then pumped 125% after my sell. It was painful.
So, how do we actually take profits?!
Tired of the noise on CT?
Read more crypto research publishers to catch the signal:
- @castle_labs: Protocol deep dives
- @Kairos_Res: Sector deep dives
- @ournetwork__: Data-driven narrative research
- @blocmatesdotcom: Degen's paradise
- @OAK_Res_EN: Monthly market reports & data dashboards
- @ChorusOne: Enhance your crypto understanding
- @OnChainWizard: For traders and degens alike
VC research (beware of some bias, but gain VC insights):
- @ZeePrimeCap writings and @mattigags' contributions
- @dragonfly_xyz (visit their website for research)
- @placeholdervc (fewer posts in 2025, but still valuable)
- @galaxyhq: Frequent research and market updates
- @multicoincap: Often controversial (yet insightful) investment theses
- @a16zcrypto: Topics on regulation, tokenomics, stablecoins, etc.
- @paradigm: Similar to a16z with great surveys
- @BinanceResearch: CEX research for beginners and degens alike
Established sources:
- @blockworksres
- @Delphi_Digital
- @nansen_research
- @MessariCrypto
News media:
- @DLNewsInfo: Excellent insider story coverage
Don't forget independent bloggers:
- @TheDeFinvestor
- @crypto_linn
- @Zeneca
- @patfscott
- @Defi0xJeff
- @crypthoem
- @DU09BTC
- @arndxt_xo
- @0xjaypeg
- @2lambro
- @Route2FI
- @alpha_pls
- @ViktorDefi
- @thedailydegenhq
And also, subscribe to my blog!
Apologies if I missed yours. No offense, just share your blog/research in the comments!
Anything else I missed?
Read more crypto research publishers to catch the signal:
- @castle_labs: Protocol deep dives
- @Kairos_Res: Sector deep dives
- @ournetwork__: Data-driven narrative research
- @blocmatesdotcom: Degen's paradise
- @OAK_Res_EN: Monthly market reports & data dashboards
- @ChorusOne: Enhance your crypto understanding
- @OnChainWizard: For traders and degens alike
VC research (beware of some bias, but gain VC insights):
- @ZeePrimeCap writings and @mattigags' contributions
- @dragonfly_xyz (visit their website for research)
- @placeholdervc (fewer posts in 2025, but still valuable)
- @galaxyhq: Frequent research and market updates
- @multicoincap: Often controversial (yet insightful) investment theses
- @a16zcrypto: Topics on regulation, tokenomics, stablecoins, etc.
- @paradigm: Similar to a16z with great surveys
- @BinanceResearch: CEX research for beginners and degens alike
Established sources:
- @blockworksres
- @Delphi_Digital
- @nansen_research
- @MessariCrypto
News media:
- @DLNewsInfo: Excellent insider story coverage
Don't forget independent bloggers:
- @TheDeFinvestor
- @crypto_linn
- @Zeneca
- @patfscott
- @Defi0xJeff
- @crypthoem
- @DU09BTC
- @arndxt_xo
- @0xjaypeg
- @2lambro
- @Route2FI
- @alpha_pls
- @ViktorDefi
- @thedailydegenhq
And also, subscribe to my blog!
Apologies if I missed yours. No offense, just share your blog/research in the comments!
Anything else I missed?
Unpopular opinion: Airdrops should be vested. Especially for KOLs.
Current playbook: Claim airdrop ASAP and sell. And move on.
Even if you're bullish on the token it's better sell first and then buy back later as airdrop induced selling stops.
Vesting playbook: Airdrop launches at high FDV. You get huge airdrop. You feel rich. But you need 6 months until tokens slowly unlock.
What do you do?
Continue to be bullish about the project. Post about it. Check on the community sentiment. Check what the team says etc.
If airdrop is vested, you are aligned in the longer run.
Sure, you can say it delays the inevitable dumping but projects get valuable mindshare in the meantime.
Current playbook: Claim airdrop ASAP and sell. And move on.
Even if you're bullish on the token it's better sell first and then buy back later as airdrop induced selling stops.
Vesting playbook: Airdrop launches at high FDV. You get huge airdrop. You feel rich. But you need 6 months until tokens slowly unlock.
What do you do?
Continue to be bullish about the project. Post about it. Check on the community sentiment. Check what the team says etc.
If airdrop is vested, you are aligned in the longer run.
Sure, you can say it delays the inevitable dumping but projects get valuable mindshare in the meantime.
Tbh, I wish there was no second $HYPE airdrop.
Just burn all the HYPE and current MC becomes the current FDV.
Just burn all the HYPE and current MC becomes the current FDV.
HODL is dead.
My biggest mistake this cycle was blindly holding ETH.
Even when my No 1. bullish case for $ETH failed to materialize - super high yields on ETH thanks to Restaking
I love crypto and trading due to its brutal honesty: if you're right = profit, wrong = loss.
But I got complacent with $ETH as narratives shift fast:
- "Ultrasound money" & ETH's ESG edge... Gone.
- Restaking superyields didn't materialize.
- ETH modular vs SOL's monolithic narrative: SOL proved stronger at least short run.
I ignored changing realities, sticking to HODL instead of adapting.
This cycle was more difficult than the last and crypto moves too quickly for passive holds (maybe except BTC).
Profits now come from more active trading, not hoping assets rebound "someday."
$ETH terrible under-performance was a wake up call.
Thankfully rotating to $HYPE saved me.
Still, $ETH has a place in everyone's portfolio and EF is not complacent anymore.
But emerging "Stablecoin & RWAs" L1s with gas abstraction is another growing risk for ETH.
Happy $HYPE ATH for those who celebrate.
My biggest mistake this cycle was blindly holding ETH.
Even when my No 1. bullish case for $ETH failed to materialize - super high yields on ETH thanks to Restaking
I love crypto and trading due to its brutal honesty: if you're right = profit, wrong = loss.
But I got complacent with $ETH as narratives shift fast:
- "Ultrasound money" & ETH's ESG edge... Gone.
- Restaking superyields didn't materialize.
- ETH modular vs SOL's monolithic narrative: SOL proved stronger at least short run.
I ignored changing realities, sticking to HODL instead of adapting.
This cycle was more difficult than the last and crypto moves too quickly for passive holds (maybe except BTC).
Profits now come from more active trading, not hoping assets rebound "someday."
$ETH terrible under-performance was a wake up call.
Thankfully rotating to $HYPE saved me.
Still, $ETH has a place in everyone's portfolio and EF is not complacent anymore.
But emerging "Stablecoin & RWAs" L1s with gas abstraction is another growing risk for ETH.
Happy $HYPE ATH for those who celebrate.
Plasma-type sales encourage bad behavior:
Depositing assets via a hot wallet as there was no time for hardware or a multisig wallet.
Depositing assets via a hot wallet as there was no time for hardware or a multisig wallet.
NGL, I feel a bit salty about $CRCL's success.
Crypto natives, and especially DeFi users, were early USDC adopters. We form the core user base.
Crypto is amazing because it rewards early adopters: from BTC, ETH, to multiple airdrops.
Yet, the upside from Circle's success leaves onchain users sidelined. We got no base yield from USDC, no stocks, no airdrop... anything.
Sure, we can buy $CRCL with TradFi accounts but it siphons money from crypto to TradFi.
Still, Circle's success is great for crypto adoption as payments become more popular and stablecoin supply grows.
This would boost onchain transaction numbers and thus valuations for underlying blockchains.
But I want to back stablecoins that reward their early supporters. Ethena, Maker, Frax, etc.
Not Tether or Circle.
Crypto natives, and especially DeFi users, were early USDC adopters. We form the core user base.
Crypto is amazing because it rewards early adopters: from BTC, ETH, to multiple airdrops.
Yet, the upside from Circle's success leaves onchain users sidelined. We got no base yield from USDC, no stocks, no airdrop... anything.
Sure, we can buy $CRCL with TradFi accounts but it siphons money from crypto to TradFi.
Still, Circle's success is great for crypto adoption as payments become more popular and stablecoin supply grows.
This would boost onchain transaction numbers and thus valuations for underlying blockchains.
But I want to back stablecoins that reward their early supporters. Ethena, Maker, Frax, etc.
Not Tether or Circle.
Sentiment that CT is getting worse and that people are leaving is worrying.
Imagine if your only sources of info about crypto were legacy media, Reddit, or TV shows:
The negativity and skepticism would seek into you and would dissuade you from investing in crypto. Even if initially you thought crypto was a great idea.
Worse still, for many even friends and family might mock you or discourage your interest in crypto. I avoid talking crypto with quite a few IRL friends because they don't get it.
Thankfully, I found CT before BBC News could sway me away from it.
Without CT, I might still be stuck in a rate race with a slave wage.
We need CT because, without it, newcomers wouldn't have a place to find like-minded people and validate their ideas.
Without CT, it might be too difficult to resist doomsayers and skeptics.
That's why we must keep CT welcoming to new people and ensure we share insightful content.
I'll try do my part!
Imagine if your only sources of info about crypto were legacy media, Reddit, or TV shows:
The negativity and skepticism would seek into you and would dissuade you from investing in crypto. Even if initially you thought crypto was a great idea.
Worse still, for many even friends and family might mock you or discourage your interest in crypto. I avoid talking crypto with quite a few IRL friends because they don't get it.
Thankfully, I found CT before BBC News could sway me away from it.
Without CT, I might still be stuck in a rate race with a slave wage.
We need CT because, without it, newcomers wouldn't have a place to find like-minded people and validate their ideas.
Without CT, it might be too difficult to resist doomsayers and skeptics.
That's why we must keep CT welcoming to new people and ensure we share insightful content.
I'll try do my part!
"BTC is doomed to fail by 2040 as fees won't be enough..."
Honestly, I need BTC to succeed at least until a new monetary system is in place.
BTC is ideal for this transitional period.
After that, $ETH, a new system, or something entirely different will present great opportunities.
I don't know what the role of BTC will be in the new world order, but we'll need to have an open mind and adapt.
Honestly, I need BTC to succeed at least until a new monetary system is in place.
BTC is ideal for this transitional period.
After that, $ETH, a new system, or something entirely different will present great opportunities.
I don't know what the role of BTC will be in the new world order, but we'll need to have an open mind and adapt.
"BTC is doomed to fail by 2040 as fees won't be enough..."
Honestly, I need BTC to succeed at least until a new monetary system is in place and the monetary system resets.
BTC is ideal for this transitional period.
After that, $ETH, a new system, or something entirely different will present great opportunities.
Honestly, I need BTC to succeed at least until a new monetary system is in place and the monetary system resets.
BTC is ideal for this transitional period.
After that, $ETH, a new system, or something entirely different will present great opportunities.
Most crypto projects fail due to no PMF, team abandonment, or being scams/pump & dumps.
But some defied expectations. Special props to:
- @beefyfinance: Born during Yearn Finance fork craze, now with TVL close to Yearn itself.
- @harvest_finance: Aggregator like Beefy. Pioneered sustainable tokenomics.
- @PancakeSwap: How many Uniswap forks from 2020 are alive? PCS is a success story of adaptation. Sushi is alive too, but less successful.
- @QuickswapDEX: Could've died as Uniswap expanded to Polygon. But the team didn't give up and diversified.
- @solana: After the FTX collapse (main backers for Solana), many believed Solana was done. Yet $SOL is this cycle's top success.
Of course, I could add Aave, Maker, Instadapp (Fluid), and other OG DeFi protocols, but I knew they'd do great :)))
Any other successful underdog protocols I forgot?
But some defied expectations. Special props to:
- @beefyfinance: Born during Yearn Finance fork craze, now with TVL close to Yearn itself.
- @harvest_finance: Aggregator like Beefy. Pioneered sustainable tokenomics.
- @PancakeSwap: How many Uniswap forks from 2020 are alive? PCS is a success story of adaptation. Sushi is alive too, but less successful.
- @QuickswapDEX: Could've died as Uniswap expanded to Polygon. But the team didn't give up and diversified.
- @solana: After the FTX collapse (main backers for Solana), many believed Solana was done. Yet $SOL is this cycle's top success.
Of course, I could add Aave, Maker, Instadapp (Fluid), and other OG DeFi protocols, but I knew they'd do great :)))
Any other successful underdog protocols I forgot?
Current crypto use cases:
- Speculation
- Self-Custody
- Smart Contracts
- Stablecoins
- Quick Fundraising & Market Exit vs. IPO
- Bitcoin: Non-Sovereign, Borderless Store of Value
Huge potential use cases:
- Privacy
- Authenticity (Crucial in the Age of AI)
- Truly Global, Cheap, & Fast Payments (Already Starting)
- Micropayments
- Decentralized Identity & Reputation (Early Stages)
- Efficient, Global RWA Trading & Settlement (Starting)
- Speculation
- Self-Custody
- Smart Contracts
- Stablecoins
- Quick Fundraising & Market Exit vs. IPO
- Bitcoin: Non-Sovereign, Borderless Store of Value
Huge potential use cases:
- Privacy
- Authenticity (Crucial in the Age of AI)
- Truly Global, Cheap, & Fast Payments (Already Starting)
- Micropayments
- Decentralized Identity & Reputation (Early Stages)
- Efficient, Global RWA Trading & Settlement (Starting)
USD1 by Trump's WLF is the fastest growing stablecoin.
At the top 5, USD1 overtook FDUSD and PayPal's USD.
Interestingly, of its $2.15B supply, $2B comes from an investment by MGX, an Abu Dhabi-state-backed company, into Binance, which used USD1 for the transaction.
In essence, Binance -owns- $2b of USD1, linking it closely with WLF.
There's little discussion on the implications this has for crypto.
The real challenge is to keep growing. We need to see use cases built for USD1.
Or maybe the real use case and source for growth is its connections with Trump, leading crypto businesses to adopt it for preferential treatment from the Trump admin.
At the top 5, USD1 overtook FDUSD and PayPal's USD.
Interestingly, of its $2.15B supply, $2B comes from an investment by MGX, an Abu Dhabi-state-backed company, into Binance, which used USD1 for the transaction.
In essence, Binance -owns- $2b of USD1, linking it closely with WLF.
There's little discussion on the implications this has for crypto.
The real challenge is to keep growing. We need to see use cases built for USD1.
Or maybe the real use case and source for growth is its connections with Trump, leading crypto businesses to adopt it for preferential treatment from the Trump admin.
What are your top three airdrop farming or new protocol alpha-sharing accounts?
It's becoming more difficult to judge what's worth our time and what's not.
It's becoming more difficult to judge what's worth our time and what's not.
Login to explore more contents