Why Didn't You Seize the Opportunity with Trump? Maybe Luck is a Skill

Original Article Title: DeFAI: The Rise of Trading Agents
Original Article Author: Defi0xJeff, Founder of steak studio
Original Article Translation: zhouzhou, BlockBeats

Editor's Note: Luck is not a coincidence but a skill acquired through preparation, persistence, and reflection. Jeff revisited his investment mistakes and growth process, highlighting how he learned from failures through continuous learning and strategy adjustments to eventually find his investment direction. The article reminds readers that the cryptocurrency market is full of volatility, and success relies on continuous effort, adaptation, and courage, rather than just luck.

The following is the original content (reorganized for better readability):

15 years ago, when I was playing Dota, there was a YouTube series called "Luck Is Not an Excuse." In the show, players defeated their opponents through precise positioning and actions to achieve victory.

I tried to replicate those moments but failed. Was it because I wasn't lucky enough or because I didn't put in enough effort? In other words, I needed to become stronger.

The same logic applies in the cryptocurrency field. When you see others earning life-changing wealth from cryptocurrency, you might think, "Why can't I do that?" This feeling drives you to act—you buy TRUMP, chase VINE, look for the next hot coin, and engage in the narrative.

Of course, if you understand how the market operates, you might indeed be lucky. But if you don't understand, you might end up worse off than when you started.

I entered the cryptocurrency world at the end of 2021—the peak of a bull market. My first investment was in CAKE, attracted by its 70-100% annual percentage yield (APY). Within a week, I lost 30% because CAKE plummeted. At that time, I didn't understand and thought it was a bad asset.

Then, I discovered TIME Wonderland with its 50,000% APY and the famous calculator that enticed me: "Invest 1,000, and after one year, through staking and compounding, it becomes 1M. If everyone stakes, we win together, (3,3) mechanism." The result is well known to everyone.

I suffered losses and learned the lesson of "rug pulls." Several months later, I learned about the importance of the team in Web3 projects through Solidly. Eventually, I found my direction in the presale project of Pinksale Finance and profited from it. I then invested funds in Bybit's Launchpad project, followed by earning 140% APY on Abracadabra. Three months later, I made a mistake.

I allocated most of my funds to the Terra ecosystem's Lockdrop and LBA projects, staking UST to maximize token rewards. Unfortunately, the UST depegging and Terra Luna's collapse resulted in me losing all my funds. In despair, I attempted to recoup my losses by shorting LUNA, only to be liquidated on a rebound. Ultimately, I went from nearly six figures in assets to $500.

However, this experience led me to a role at @TheSpartanGroup as a project advisor. Later, I started this account, writing about DeFi. In early 2023, I discovered @CamelotDEX and other Arbitrum DeFi projects, analyzing and sharing my insights with the community, which caused my Twitter account to explode.

From 2023 to 2024, I drifted in the market, sometimes lacking motivation. DeFi innovation slowed, and the landscape of L1/L2/L3 became fragmented, while life went through changes.

It wasn't until August 2024, a conversation with @vtes369 and the @ChasmNetwork team led me to delve into AI. With no formal AI background, I began studying retail-facing AI companions and agents, eventually discovering @virtuals_io. In a call with @everythingempt0, he elucidated Virtuals' vision of tokenizing AI agents, and it struck me, reminiscent of my 2023 discovery of @pendle_fi.

Just as Pendle tokenized yields, Virtuals aims to tokenize AI agents, potentially tapping into a multi-billion-dollar market. The team's creativity made me a firm believer in their vision. I invested in VIRTUAL at a $30M market cap. After the platform's launch, my investment thesis was validated. I deeply engaged, authored articles about AI agents, and built a supportive community.

This is not a brag; I still have a long way to go. The key is: in cryptocurrency, you must learn from mistakes, adapt, and continuously improve. Resilience is key. The market may rise, fall, or stagnate, interest may wane, but you must stay involved, keep learning, and support others. If you persist long enough, luck will be on your side.

Lessons Learned in Cryptocurrency:

1. Do your own research.

2. Form your own opinions and theories.

3. Reflect on Your Own Mistakes.

4. Engage with the Market Daily.

My Daily Routine:

1. Check @cookiedotfun, @Decentralisedco, and @GoatIndexAI for trends.

2. Follow a curated Twitter timeline in the AI space.

3. Write a piece of content daily to solidify my thoughts and share with others.

Those who have turned $500 into millions are not just lucky; they have spent countless hours in the cryptocurrency trenches, experiencing failures, perseverance, and resilience.

Many see this success and think it came easy, but the reality is far from it. The truth is: Luck is a skill. It is earned through preparation, consistency, and the courage to persist in adversity.

Cryptocurrency, much like life, is a marathon, not a sprint. You may stumble, you may hit rock bottom, but the only true failure is giving up.

The market is not finished. Alpha still exists, waiting to be discovered. The best investment opportunities come when everything is at its lowest, when the streets are filled with panic. That's when the opportunity lies right in front of you—waiting for those brave enough to seize it.

Success is built through years of hard work, reflection, and continuous growth. So, keep going, keep learning, keep believing. Your lucky break is not waiting; it is being paved by the effort you put in today.

Source: Original Article Link