Advisory in Blockchain. NFT. Metaverse. Marketing. Community builder. Web3 Matters - Book Author. Association Blockchain Asia - Founding Vice President
VCs won't invest until you understand this simple truth 👇
🔴 VCs aren't interested in another copy-paste project. The types of products that grab VC attention are: - Truly innovative, game-changing ideas - Existing products executed 10x better If you're just copying the latest trend, it won't cut it.
🏆 Unique projects stand out. VCs are drawn to completely original products because: - There's no competition (yet) - They have a first-mover advantage - They have the potential to dominate the market
If your pitch doesn't scream "unique," you'd better have substantial traction to back it up. 📈 If you're not the first, you need a real edge. If your project isn't unique, you must answer: "What sets you apart?" - Institutional backing - Unmatched incentives - Unique licenses or partnerships - First Tier-1 CEX listing in your category No edge = no deal.
📊 Traction speaks louder than words. VCs want numbers, not dreams. Show them: - Users - Revenue - Community engagement - Real-world impact If you don't have traction yet, you need a strong endorsement from the network to show it's coming.
💰 First-time founder? Don't rush. Learn. If you've never built in Web3, slow down. Get a job in the industry. Build relationships. Learn the ropes. A year in the trenches will teach you what investors want and give you the network you need.
🤓 If it makes dollars, it makes sense. VCs are focused on ROI. Your pitch should highlight: - How they'll make money - Why YOU can deliver results - Why your product outperforms others
Forget the fluff. Focus on the bottom line. VCs have capital. What they don’t have is patience for fluffy pitches and copycat projects. If you can’t prove your value, someone else will. ---
We are currently in a bullish trend, but remember, even in a bull market, dips are normal. If we see a pullback, stay calm and be prepared. It's still not the right time to sell.
**Altseason** Altcoins have been primed for a pump, but their charts are still trending sideways. Some are showing strong performance due to support from significant market makers.
Altseason will arrive. Major players have stocked up on cheap coins, ready to drive retail FOMO. Here are two scenarios:
- Altseason could begin soon and continue through the end of January 2025. - Alternatively, it could start in the spring of 2025. When it hits, expect a rapid, sharp rise. Those who hesitate might end up buying at peak prices, so keep this in mind.
**Memecoins** This cycle will be characterized by one meme or another, following internal trends. You can either take risks or wait for altseason.
Key takeaway: avoid FOMO.
Most “millionaire” posts are likely from insiders or engagement farmers. Even if someone claims they made 100k on a meme coin, they don't show the other coins that tanked. Only a small percentage (3-5%) make substantial money on memes. If you’re into meme coins, opt for PvE memes: buy, believe, hold—and if it goes to zero, move on. Understand that you either fully commit and believe in the token or risk getting outplayed by others. --- Does this version work for you? Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to adjust!
We are currently in a bullish trend, but remember, even in a bull market, dips are normal. If we see a pullback, stay calm and be prepared. It's still not the right time to sell.
**Altseason** Altcoins have been primed for a pump, but their charts are still trending sideways. Some are showing strong performance due to support from significant market makers.
Altseason will arrive. Major players have stocked up on cheap coins, ready to drive retail FOMO. Here are two scenarios:
- Altseason could begin soon and continue through the end of January 2025. - Alternatively, it could start in the spring of 2025. When it hits, expect a rapid, sharp rise. Those who hesitate might end up buying at peak prices, so keep this in mind.
**Memecoins** This cycle will be characterized by one meme or another, following internal trends. You can either take risks or wait for altseason.
Key takeaway: avoid FOMO.
Most “millionaire” posts are likely from insiders or engagement farmers. Even if someone claims they made 100k on a meme coin, they don't show the other coins that tanked. Only a small percentage (3-5%) make substantial money on memes. If you’re into meme coins, opt for PvE memes: buy, believe, hold—and if it goes to zero, move on. Understand that you either fully commit and believe in the token or risk getting outplayed by others. --- Does this version work for you? Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to adjust!
👍Reminder: There is extreme euphoria and greed now, reminiscent of the 2021 bull market.
Each cycle may echo previous ones but never exactly as mass retail expects. People now anticipate ETH to reach new all-time highs. People expect LTC to follow XRP, ADA, XLM, and DOGE. People recognize the Trump administration's pro-crypto stance. Retail liquidity is piling up alongside greed and longs. We don't intend to scare you or suggest selling everything. We simply remind you that MM liquidity flows against retail greed. A 20-30% correction could be imminent, with BTC revisiting the lower 80ks or 70ks. Book partial profits (1/3rd) on profitable positions and keep some free funds. --- In the last 18 days, 99% of coins on Binance did not make a lower low. --- It's easy to keep giving long setups when coins are close to 2020 levels or 10-100% away from their yearly lows and 5-25x away from their all-time highs. --- Every paid channel will lure you with PnL reports and TP updates to calls. --- Develop a balance between your risk and reward. Don't stay entirely sidelined. Also, don't get too deep at moments like now. --- Every bull market has corrections that provide tremendous opportunities. --- Stay safe. Don't fall prey to the markets. Many paid channels will disappear when the market dumps or their calls go south. They'll be vocal exactly when the market is greedy and people are desperate to make money. --- DYOR, stay safe, and keep printing 🧘$BTC
👍Reminder: There is extreme euphoria and greed now, reminiscent of the 2021 bull market.
Each cycle may echo previous ones but never exactly as mass retail expects. People now anticipate ETH to reach new all-time highs. People expect LTC to follow XRP, ADA, XLM, and DOGE. People recognize the Trump administration's pro-crypto stance. Retail liquidity is piling up alongside greed and longs. We don't intend to scare you or suggest selling everything. We simply remind you that MM liquidity flows against retail greed. A 20-30% correction could be imminent, with BTC revisiting the lower 80ks or 70ks. Book partial profits (1/3rd) on profitable positions and keep some free funds. --- In the last 18 days, 99% of coins on Binance did not make a lower low. --- It's easy to keep giving long setups when coins are close to 2020 levels or 10-100% away from their yearly lows and 5-25x away from their all-time highs. --- Every paid channel will lure you with PnL reports and TP updates to calls. --- Develop a balance between your risk and reward. Don't stay entirely sidelined. Also, don't get too deep at moments like now. --- Every bull market has corrections that provide tremendous opportunities. --- Stay safe. Don't fall prey to the markets. Many paid channels will disappear when the market dumps or their calls go south. They'll be vocal exactly when the market is greedy and people are desperate to make money. --- DYOR, stay safe, and keep printing 🧘$BTC
We need to rethink our approach to web3, crypto, and decentralization. People aren't interested in jargon or the underlying technology—they care about solutions to their problems. Here's a refined take:
Stop selling web3, crypto, and decentralization. The reality is, people don't care about these concepts. They care about solving their problems.
Is your web3 product addressing a real user need? If not, it's just more noise.
Don’t emphasize the technology. Focus on real-world problems and demonstrate how your product alleviates those pain points.
Does this resonate better, or are there further adjustments you'd like to make?
We need to rethink our approach to web3, crypto, and decentralization. People aren't interested in jargon or the underlying technology—they care about solutions to their problems. Here's a refined take:
Stop selling web3, crypto, and decentralization. The reality is, people don't care about these concepts. They care about solving their problems.
Is your web3 product addressing a real user need? If not, it's just more noise.
Don’t emphasize the technology. Focus on real-world problems and demonstrate how your product alleviates those pain points.
Does this resonate better, or are there further adjustments you'd like to make?
Here are some general thoughts for those raising capital right now. We’re (hopefully) past the days of $100M valuations with zero product. Consider these observations with a grain of salt:
Pre-seed: You have an idea or thesis and are building conviction. Valuations are around $5-10M, raising between $300K-1M. Avoid raising too much to prevent massive dilution.
Seed: You’re seeing signs of life with some traction and are working to build out the product more. Typical raise is $2M on a $20M valuation. Traction varies by vertical, so compare with competitors. Growth velocity is also important here.
Series A: Time to scale! Valuations can vary wildly, often $50M+.
That's a quick rundown of the current fundraising landscape. It’s definitely wild out there!
In crypto: If you have fees show fees no fees show transactions no transaction show users no users show TVL no TVL show trading volume no trading volume show market cap No market cap show token holders no token holders show wallet connects no wallet connects approval go home
Attending the TOKEN2049 event in Singapore offers numerous benefits:
Cutting-Edge Insights: Learn from leading industry experts about the latest trends and innovations in blockchain and cryptocurrency.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with a global community of entrepreneurs, developers, investors, and thought leaders.
Exclusive Announcements: Be the first to hear about groundbreaking projects and technological advancements.
Diverse Speaker Lineup: Gain unique perspectives from over 200 speakers, including industry pioneers and regulatory experts.
Investment Opportunities: Discover potential investments and meet emerging startups.
Regulatory Insights: Stay updated on the latest regulatory developments, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
DeFi and NFT Focus: Deep dive into decentralized finance and non-fungible tokens through dedicated panels and discussions. Hands-On Workshops: Participate in practical workshops and technical sessions for hands-on experience.
Access to Innovation Hub: Explore the latest tech and solutions from startups and established companies.
Cultural Experience: Enjoy Singapore’s vibrant culture and dynamic tech ecosystem while engaging with industry leaders.
Overall, TOKEN2049 provides a comprehensive platform to learn, network, and explore the future of blockchain and cryptocurrency in one of Asia’s leading financial hubs.
The crypto markets have experienced a significant downturn in the last 48 hours due to six main factors:
1.US Recession Fears: Recent job creation and unemployment data fell short of expectations, raising concerns about a potential recession. Additionally, the Federal Reserve did not cut interest rates last week, suggesting a possible rate cut in September, which many fear might be too late. This uncertainty led to a $2 trillion dip in equity markets.
2.Bank of Japan’s Interest Rate Hike: Japan increased its interest rates from 0.1% to 0.25% due to inflation concerns. This move has negatively impacted carry traders who borrow Japanese Yen at low rates to invest in higher-yielding assets. The rate hike has made these trades unprofitable, leading to liquidations and a stronger Yen, further reducing the profitability of reverse carry trades.
3.Jump Crypto Liquidating ETH: Rumors suggest that Jump Crypto is exiting the crypto business amid an investigation, leading to a significant sell-off of ETH over the past week, exacerbating the market decline.
4.Dwindling Chances for Pro-Crypto Trump: In July, the crypto market was buoyed by promises from Trump. However, following an assassination attempt, Joe Biden stepped down, and Kamala Harris has revitalized the Democratic base, making it harder for Trump to win the upcoming November elections.
5.Middle East Tensions: Escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, along with their proxies, have raised fears of a broader conflict. Similar tensions in April led to a dip in crypto markets, and there are concerns that this time the situation might escalate further.
6.Mt Gox Bitcoin Distribution: Nearly a decade after its hack and bankruptcy, Mt Gox is finally distributing some of the recovered Bitcoin, adding more selling pressure to the market.
Is there any other reason you think might be contributing to the market downturn? Let me know!
The crypto markets have experienced a significant downturn in the last 48 hours due to six main factors:
1.US Recession Fears: Recent job creation and unemployment data fell short of expectations, raising concerns about a potential recession. Additionally, the Federal Reserve did not cut interest rates last week, suggesting a possible rate cut in September, which many fear might be too late. This uncertainty led to a $2 trillion dip in equity markets.
2.Bank of Japan’s Interest Rate Hike: Japan increased its interest rates from 0.1% to 0.25% due to inflation concerns. This move has negatively impacted carry traders who borrow Japanese Yen at low rates to invest in higher-yielding assets. The rate hike has made these trades unprofitable, leading to liquidations and a stronger Yen, further reducing the profitability of reverse carry trades.
3.Jump Crypto Liquidating ETH: Rumors suggest that Jump Crypto is exiting the crypto business amid an investigation, leading to a significant sell-off of ETH over the past week, exacerbating the market decline.
4.Dwindling Chances for Pro-Crypto Trump: In July, the crypto market was buoyed by promises from Trump. However, following an assassination attempt, Joe Biden stepped down, and Kamala Harris has revitalized the Democratic base, making it harder for Trump to win the upcoming November elections.
5.Middle East Tensions: Escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, along with their proxies, have raised fears of a broader conflict. Similar tensions in April led to a dip in crypto markets, and there are concerns that this time the situation might escalate further.
6.Mt Gox Bitcoin Distribution: Nearly a decade after its hack and bankruptcy, Mt Gox is finally distributing some of the recovered Bitcoin, adding more selling pressure to the market.
Is there any other reason you think might be contributing to the market downturn? Let me know!
CEO Pavel Durov recently announced plans to launch a mini app store and an in-app browser with support for web3 games, aiming to enhance the web3 experience for Telegram's 900 million users.
Key Highlights: Blockchain Integration: - Telegram and The Open Network (TON) blockchain are leading this shift.
Gaming Impact: - Tap-to-earn games like Notcoin, Yescoin, and Hamster Kombat are gaining traction. Notcoin alone helped TON onboard over 1 million wallets². Growth Metrics:
- TON's Total Value Locked (TVL) surged from $300 million in May to over $760 million today. - Toncoin's price tripled this year, rising from $2.30 to over $7.00².
Why This Matters:
Telegram's initiative could make 2024 a landmark year for blockchain adoption. As Durov stated, "2024 will go down in history as the year when hundreds of millions of people became familiar with blockchain"³.
Challenges and Opportunities: - Addressing challenges like combating scams with measures such as displaying account registration dates and principal countries. - Allowing organizations to issue labels for channels, creating a decentralized marketplace for verification².
What's Next? With the $500 billion annual gaming market ripe for disruption, Telegram's integration of blockchain and web3 could be a game-changer.
The biggest catalyst for innovations in Web3 will not be the rate cut or BlackRock buying more Bitcoin. Instead, it could be the election of Trump as President.
I don't typically make political posts or take sides, but this situation is different. The current Biden administration and its allies have been openly hostile towards crypto: - Vetoed crypto-friendly legislation - SEC sued numerous legitimate crypto companies - Gensler labeled almost all cryptocurrencies as securities - Senator Warren campaigned to build an "anti-crypto army" This hostile attitude and lack of regulatory clarity have stifled innovation in Web3, pushed many legitimate builders overseas, and curtailed Web3 VC funding.
On the other hand, Trump has: - Promised to legalize crypto in the US - Picked a VP who holds a substantial amount of Bitcoin - Sold multiple NFT collections, receiving Ethereum - Scheduled to speak at the Bitcoin conference in July 2024
This is why I believe that the election of Trump could be a game-changer. He would likely fire Gensler and appoint a new pro-crypto regulator. We could also see new crypto-friendly legislation signed into law.
These changes would bring much-needed regulatory clarity and give Web3 founders the space to build, spurring significant innovation.
Web2 vs Web3 marketing - the difference you need to understand 🌐💡 Web2 funnel is a linear path. 🚶♂️ You craft a message, push it out, and hope it resonates. It's a one-way street. 🚧 Web3 funnel? More like a web. 🕸️ It's decentralized. It's a conversation. 🗣️ It's not about pushing messages, but building communities. 🏘️ Web2 is about capturing attention. 🎯 Web3 is about fostering participation. 🙌 Web2 relies on data. Web3 thrives on trust. 🤝 Web2 is about the masses. Web3 is about the individual. 🧑 Web2 is selling. Web3 is sharing. 🎁 Web2 is about control. Web3 is about freedom. 🕊️ Marketing in Web3? Build trust. Foster participation. Share values. 🌈 Remember, in Web3, everyone is a stakeholder. Treat them as such. 👥