The world of cryptocurrency has produced overnight millionaires, but for every viral success story, there are countless others who’ve lost everything chasing hype. The truth? Long-term wealth in crypto isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy, mindset, and consistent execution.
In a recent deep-dive conversation, Jason Choi, full-time crypto native angel investor and Co-Founder of Tangent—an evergreen proprietary investment firm—shared hard-earned insights from over a decade in the space. With experience co-leading investments in more than 80 blockchain companies and scaling one of Asia’s first institutional crypto funds from $9M to $500M in assets under management, his perspective is both rare and valuable.
This article distills the core principles from that discussion on how to build real, lasting wealth in crypto—without relying on luck.
Discovering Crypto: The First Step Toward Financial Freedom
For many, crypto starts as curiosity. For Jason, it began with skepticism. After early exposure to Bitcoin, he dismissed it—only to return years later when Ethereum introduced smart contracts. That shift marked a turning point: not just in his understanding of blockchain technology, but in how he viewed money, ownership, and opportunity.
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The key takeaway? Don’t rush into investing before you understand the fundamentals. True wealth starts with education—learning how blockchains work, what decentralization really means, and why tokenomics matter. Most people jump in during bull markets, driven by FOMO. The rich get rich by laying the groundwork before the crowd shows up.
The Biggest Loss: A Lesson More Valuable Than Any Gain
Jason openly shares one of his worst mistakes: holding onto a failing project far too long, hoping for a turnaround. Emotion clouded judgment. By the time he exited, 80% of his capital was gone.
Losses are inevitable in crypto. But what separates successful investors is not avoiding losses—it’s learning from them.
He emphasizes three risk management rules:
- Never invest more than you can afford to lose.
- Always have an exit strategy before entering a position.
- Rebalance your portfolio regularly to lock in gains and reduce exposure.
These aren’t flashy tips—they’re foundational habits. And they reflect a deeper truth: wealth accumulation in crypto is less about picking the next 100x token and more about surviving long enough to compound returns over cycles.
How to Get Rich in Crypto Without Getting Lucky
Jason built his framework around Naval Ravikant’s famous essay “How to Get Rich Without Getting Lucky”—but adapted for the volatile, fast-moving world of digital assets.
Here are the core principles:
1. Own Equity in Promising Projects
Instead of trading coins like lottery tickets, focus on becoming a long-term holder in high-potential protocols. Whether through early-stage investments or staking and governance participation, ownership compounds.
2. Build or Contribute
The fastest way to gain insight into a project is to work on it. Developers, writers, community managers—they often get early access and tokens at low valuations. Skin in the game creates asymmetric upside.
3. Think in Decades, Not Days
Crypto moves fast, but lasting wealth takes time. Avoid day-trading unless you’re professionally trained. Instead, adopt a long-term asset allocation strategy, rebalancing only when fundamentals shift.
4. Develop Unique Insights
Most investors follow narratives set by influencers or media. To outperform, you need contrarian thinking based on deep research. Ask: What do I believe that others don’t?
5. Leverage Networks
Jason calls networking “the invisible currency of wealth.” The best deals, alpha, and opportunities rarely come from public channels—they come from trusted relationships.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Crypto
One of the most dangerous traps in crypto? Overconfidence.
The Dunning-Kruger effect describes how beginners often feel they understand a subject completely—right before they lose money. In crypto, this manifests as:
- New traders believing they’ve “cracked the market.”
- Investors FOMOing into trending tokens without due diligence.
- People ignoring risk management because “this time is different.”
The antidote? Humility and continuous learning. Follow smart minds, read whitepapers, analyze on-chain data, and question your assumptions.
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Spotting Crypto Narratives Before They Go Mainstream
Markets run on stories. In 2020, it was DeFi. 2021? NFTs. 2023? Layer 2 solutions and restaking.
Jason’s edge comes from identifying emerging narratives before they go viral. He looks for:
- Technological breakthroughs solving real problems
- Strong founding teams with skin in the game
- Organic community growth (not paid shills)
- Sustainable token models
When these elements align, it’s often early enough to get involved—but late enough that the idea has been validated.
Financial Management After a Bull Run
Making money in crypto is one thing. Keeping it is another.
Many investors cash out during bull runs—only to spend recklessly or reinvest poorly. Jason advises:
- Take profits systematically (e.g., sell 25% every time price doubles).
- Move一部分 gains into stable assets or real-world investments.
- Keep a portion in crypto for long-term growth.
- Pay taxes early to avoid legal issues later.
Wealth isn’t measured by peak portfolio value—it’s measured by what you keep and how you use it.
Networking = Wealth
Some of the best investment opportunities never hit public exchanges. They’re shared privately among trusted circles.
Jason attributes much of his success to relationships built over years—attending conferences, engaging in niche communities, and adding value before asking for anything.
Want access to pre-seed rounds or private sales? Start by being helpful. Share insights. Introduce people. Build trust.
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Unpopular Crypto Beliefs
Jason isn’t afraid to go against consensus. Some of his contrarian views include:
- Most NFTs will go to zero—but utility-based ones will power digital identity and access.
- Bitcoin will remain dominant, but Ethereum will lead innovation.
- Regulation isn’t the enemy—it’s a necessary step toward mass adoption.
- Most retail traders should not trade; they should invest and earn via staking or yield.
Being right when others are wrong creates outsized returns—if you have the patience to wait.
Predictions for the Next 12 Months
Looking ahead, Jason sees:
- Increased institutional adoption via spot ETFs
- Growth in real-world asset tokenization (RWAs)
- Strong momentum in modular blockchains and Layer 3 solutions
- A shift from pure speculation to revenue-generating protocols
Rather than betting on hype, he’s positioning for sustainability—backing projects with clear use cases, strong balance sheets, and growing user bases.
FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
Q: Can you really get rich in crypto without luck?
A: Yes—but only if you treat it like a long-term financial strategy, not gambling. Success comes from research, discipline, and continuous learning.
Q: How much should I invest in crypto?
A: Only allocate what you can afford to lose completely. Many experts suggest starting with 1–5% of your total portfolio and adjusting based on risk tolerance.
Q: Is now too late to enter crypto?
A: While early adopters gained the most, new cycles emerge constantly. Innovation continues in DeFi, AI-blockchain integration, and tokenized assets—offering fresh opportunities.
Q: Should I trade or hold crypto?
A: Most retail investors perform better as holders. Active trading requires significant time, skill, and emotional control. Consider dollar-cost averaging into strong projects instead.
Q: How do I avoid scams in crypto?
A: Stick to well-audited projects with transparent teams. Avoid anything promising guaranteed returns or pressuring you to act quickly.
Q: What’s the best way to learn about crypto investing?
A: Follow credible educators, read whitepapers, explore on-chain analytics tools, and participate in communities focused on fundamentals over hype.
By focusing on ownership, networking, long-term thinking, and emotional discipline, you don’t need luck to succeed in crypto—you need clarity.
The future of finance is being rewritten on blockchains. Those who understand the rules won’t just survive—they’ll thrive.