Back in 2019, when the crypto market was still in its infancy, I managed to turn 1 ETH into 1000 ETH through a single strategic play—and I was basically a nobody with just 50 followers at the time. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has completely transformed.

What strikes me most is how many of the prominent traders and KOLs dominating the current cycle appear to be riding on luck rather than genuine skill. During those early days, it was survival of the fittest in the real sense. You either understood the market mechanics or you got liquidated. There was no room for cosplay.

The difference between then and now? Easy mode. The bull runs have been so accessible recently that mediocre positioning gets rewarded like genius-level plays. Back then, every decision mattered because capital was scarce and volatility was unforgiving. Today, a lot of these names would've been wiped out if they'd been operating in that environment.

It's not about being the loudest voice in the room—it's about having been through actual market cycles when the stakes were real.