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I won’t sugarcoat it—this drawdown was deep.
Trump’s new tariffs have rattled the entire crypto landscape, and I’m feeling every bit of it. But, selling Wave 1 of AI Agents and still having cash has been a blessing in disguise.
To be clear, while the drop was sharp, it’s pretty normal in crypto. This is my third cycle, and I’ve seen way worse.
Let me break down my view on the current market.
Market Recap
When Donald Trump secured a second term, I expected a near-term rally—but he quickly introduced tariffs that have rattled global markets. This unexpected move triggered a broad selloff. There’s a chance he’s using tariffs as leverage and that he’ll eventually want a weaker dollar and the Fed to cut rates to strengthen US exports (bullish for crypto). For now, though, the immediate impact has been negative.
Despite the volatility, the total crypto market cap hasn’t broken its critical support of $3 trillion. This suggests upside potential when the dust settles. However, TON broke below $4.50 for the first time in a year, so I sold my holdings until that level is reclaimed or fresh momentum emerges. I’d rather step aside than hold a broken support. If TON flips bullish again, I’ll buy back—no problem paying a bit more for added certainty. I don’t bag hold.
Selling AI Agents from Wave 1 has been such a good decision in hindsight (VIRTUAL down to $1.4, SEKOIA down to $11m, many more examples). I’m as bullish as ever on AI Agents, the US and China are at war because of AI and each will do everything in their power to come out on top, whoever wins is bullish for AI Agents. This is a secular trend, and it’s not going away anytime soon.
Lessons Learned & Personal Reflections
I made good and bad decisions, but the good ones outweigh the bad by miles.
I saw new agents come out that seemed to be really good: BRAIN and LISTEN, but I went in too early. Now on average each is down -40% which is “okay” in this market but the good side is I only allocated 5% into each, no matter how low they went I would be fine.
I’ve always believed in disciplined, small allocations—keeping AI Agent positions around 5% of my portfolio. This isn’t just a strategy; it’s a hard-earned lesson from countless cycles. Even when a 50% drop feels like a personal failure, I remind myself that these small bets are my safeguard in a market that can turn on a dime.
This drawdown forces me to confront my own vulnerabilities as an investor. I always had a skill in buying things early, and make a lot on the way up, but only in the past two years have I actually become good at selling. Now, I am working on sharpening my skills further to become an ever better seller.
I’m not invincible, and neither are you. Every setback is a chance to reassess, to learn, and to come back smarter.
The Path Forward
Right now, uncertainty is my only certainty. I’m not blindly chasing recovery—I’m waiting for clarity. I see two potential paths:
- Tariff Relief Rally: If Trump backs off on the tariffs, the market could rebound quickly. I’ll be watching every headline, every whisper of relief.
- Fed Easing: If these policies eventually lead to a weaker dollar and rate cuts, I expect a more gradual, but solid, recovery. I’m prepared to add positions only when the market shows real momentum—not on fear, but on evidence.
I’m holding my positions in BTC, ETH, SOL, selling TON because it broke the year-long $4.5 support and holding BRAIN and LISTEN. And of course, I’m still holding a lot of cash from Wave 1 selling. I’m patient. I’ve been burned before, and I refuse to let emotion dictate my next move. I’m ready to aggressively deploy capital when the right signal comes.Let’s face it: some tokens won’t recover. But the worthy ones—those with real innovation, committed teams, and solid business models—will stand out when the market rebounds.
Note: LISTEN is up almost 100% on the day despite the broad market sell-off. This is only adding to my conviction that it’ll become a $100m asset in the future. I might add another 1–2 AI Agent tokens this week if I see solid signs of recovery (things like renewed demand or a clear trend reversal). Otherwise, I’ll wait. Patience typically pays off.
Admin Message to Community
Trust me I get it—if this is your first big correction, it can feel like the sky is falling. Let me share something I’ve learned the hard way:
“You can’t lose if you don’t give up.”
That mindset has kept me going for 8 years in crypto through multiple cycles. Early on, I did blow up a couple of small portfolios, but each misstep taught me the importance of discipline and risk management. If you stick around, learn from mistakes, and keep your portfolio balanced enough to survive downturns, you’ll stay in the game long enough to seize future opportunities. Get rich slow.I’m right here with you, adapting day by day. The 100x Club was built on community, and we move forward together—supporting each other, sharing insights, and staying curious. As always, I’ll keep posting regular updates. Let’s push through this storm, side by side.
FAQs
Q: Are you still bullish on crypto overall?
A: Yes. Even with the tariffs, the total market cap hasn’t broken major support. I still believe in crypto’s long-term trajectory. Short-term volatility doesn’t change that.
Q: Why sell TON if it might rebound?
A: I don’t like holding assets that break critical supports. I’ll re-enter if it reclaims that level or shows strong momentum. It’s a small cost to preserve capital in the meantime.
Q: Why not load up on AI Agents if you’re confident in their future?
A: I’m waiting for signs of actual market momentum. “Buying the bottom” can be risky, so I’d rather wait for some confirmation—then move in.
Q: How do you handle watching BRAIN and LISTEN at -40%?
A: Position sizing. Since they were each only 5% of my portfolio, the drawdown is manageable. Sticking to small allocations helps me stay calm and avoid panic selling.
Q: What’s your best advice for newcomers feeling anxious?
A: This market will always have ups and downs. Maintain discipline (avoid going all-in), learn from each cycle, and remind yourself: You can’t lose if you don’t give up.
Q: Are you done posting until the market recovers?
A: Absolutely not—we plan to keep everyone updated on any new additions or changes. The journey continues.
Closing Note
These aren’t the most comfortable times in crypto, but they’re not unusual either. Historically, every major shakeout has paved the way for the next big run—though no one can predict precisely when. Stay informed, stay connected, and above all, stay disciplined. That’s how we make it through.(Disclaimer: I’m sharing personal experiences and opinions, not financial advice. Always do your own research.)
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