Learning Crypto

Jun 05, 2024By Jason Chew
Jason Chew

As you trek along your own crypto journey, it's crucial to be mindful of the hype that often surround these new technologies. Since 2017, I’ve seen several buzzwords come and go from ICOs to DAOs, DeFi to NFTs. Whatever comes next (maybe dePIN or RWA), remember this is just an enormous learning curve that we are all a part of.

And we are all learning at the same time.

Be wary of those who claim to know everything. In a rapidly evolving field like crypto, it's impossible for anyone to have all the answers. Many are just putting on a brave face, pretending to know more than they do. Genuine experts, those who have deep knowledge and direct experience in the field, are few and far between. So, learn to distinguish the noise from the real deal, identify these true experts, and patiently learn from them. Here are some people I follow regularly on X (Twitter):

- Eric Voorhees 
- Arthur Hayes
- Taylor Monahan
- Dovey Wan
- Balajis Srinivasan

Pro-Tip: Do not put any of the people above on a pedestal. Learn to think independently and form your own thoughts and conclusions. 

It's perfectly okay not to understand everything right off the bat. The important thing is to keep learning, keep exploring, and most importantly, keep experimenting. Remember, there are no shortcuts in gaining knowledge. We learn by doing, by experimenting, by making mistakes, and by learning from those mistakes. The crypto space is no different. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and to dive in headfirst. It's all part of the process.

In conclusion, here are three pieces of advice I often give myself.

1. Be patient and kind to yourself. The crypto space can be overwhelming, but remember, you're learning at your own pace. Take in what you can, and don't stress about what you can't.

2. Be brave and experiment yourself. The only way to gain true understanding is through direct experience. So, don't be afraid to dive in and to learn through trial and error.

3. Teach only from direct experience. If you have learned something valuable through your own experiments, share it with others. But remember, speak only from your own direct experience. That's the only way to ensure that what you're sharing is authentic and valuable.

The journey into the crypto world can be a wild ride, but remember, we're all on this ride together. So, buckle up, keep an open mind, and most importantly, keep learning.