As Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to dominate the crypto landscape, forward-thinking investors are looking beyond the obvious. With the market maturing and new technologies emerging, the next 3–5 years could redefine value in digital assets.

When prominent KOL @Cobie posed the question on X — “If you had to invest in a liquid, non-speculative crypto asset for the next 3–5 years, excluding BTC, ETH, SOL, stablecoins, or hype-driven tokens — what would you choose?” — the response from crypto founders, traders, and VCs was both diverse and revealing.

Here’s a curated breakdown of the top picks from industry leaders, their reasoning, and why these assets could shape the future of decentralized finance, identity, infrastructure, and real-world asset integration.

Why Look Beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum?

While BTC and ETH remain foundational, the next wave of innovation lies in specialized protocols, real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, privacy solutions, and scalable Layer 2 ecosystems. As adoption grows, so does demand for assets with sustainable revenue models, strong fundamentals, and real utility.

The consensus among experts? The era of pure speculation is fading. The future belongs to protocols generating real cash flow and solving tangible problems.

👉 Discover how leading crypto platforms are driving institutional adoption in 2025

Top Investment Picks: What Experts Are Backing

Jesse.base.eth – Head of Base: Coinbase ($COIN)

While not a native crypto token, $COIN stands out as a regulated bridge between traditional finance and the blockchain world. Jesse highlights two key strengths:

1. Diversified product suite: From exchange services to custody, staking, and Web3 developer tools, Coinbase has built a scalable ecosystem.
2. Execution and vision: The team consistently delivers on product innovation and regulatory compliance — rare in the volatile crypto space.

For investors seeking exposure to crypto growth without holding volatile tokens, Coinbase offers a compelling public equity play.

KOL Ansem: Worldcoin ($WLD)

Ansem sees $WLD as a hedge against centralized AI control and surveillance states. In a post-Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) world, verifying human identity becomes critical.

• Worldcoin’s proof-of-personhood protocol uses biometric data (via Orb devices) to distinguish humans from bots.
• Backed by Sam Altman, it’s positioned at the intersection of AI ethics and decentralized identity.
• If AI platforms begin requiring verified human access, $WLD could become foundational infrastructure.

Privacy concerns remain, but the long-term vision aligns with growing demand for digital sovereignty.

Qw – Founder of AllianceDAO: Tokens with Strong Future Revenue

Qw cuts through the noise: “Only tokens with strong projected revenue trading at reasonable valuations will survive.”

His thesis:

• The market is shifting from narrative-driven pumps to sustainable tokenomics.
• Projects must generate revenue through fees, subscriptions, or usage-based models.
• Valuations should reflect realistic growth — not hype multiples.

This approach favors mature DeFi protocols and infrastructure layers over meme coins or early-stage ventures.

Trader Auri: Starknet ($STRK)

For those who prioritize decentralization and privacy, Starknet offers a powerful proposition as an Ethereum Layer 2.

Why Starknet?

• High throughput (TPS comparable to Solana)
• Advanced account abstraction (AA) for seamless user experience
• Low fully diluted valuation (~$1B vs. Arbitrum/Optimism at ~$3B)

Three potential success paths:

1. Become a leading Ethereum L2 with Bitcoin settlement (if tech enables it)
2. Serve as backend infrastructure for other chains
3. Scale ZK-rollup adoption across Web3

Even partial success could lead to significant upside.

👉 Explore how next-gen Layer 2 solutions are reshaping scalability

Mert – Founder of Helius Labs: Jito ($JTO) & Zcash ($ZEC)

Mert backs two very different but strategically sound plays:

Jito ($JTO)

• Liquid staking derivative (LSD) on Solana
• Captures a large share of Solana’s staking yield
• If SOL remains relevant over the next 5 years (likely), JTO benefits directly

Zcash ($ZEC)

• Privacy coin with strong cryptographic foundations
• Upcoming protocol redesign under a new research lab
• Growing relevance as surveillance and data monetization increase

Privacy may be unpopular in regulated circles — but it’s becoming essential for digital freedom.

Nansen: Diversified L1 Portfolio Strategy

Rather than betting on one chain, Nansen advocates spreading risk across multiple Layer 1 blockchains:

Portfolio Additions (beyond BTC, ETH, SOL):

• BNB (Binance Chain)
• SUI (Mysten Labs)
• APT (Aptos)
• TRX (Tron)
• AVAX (Avalanche)

All assets are staked, generating ~4.5% annual yield. This strategy balances exposure to established players and high-potential newcomers while earning passive income.

KOL Fishy Catfish: Chainlink ($LINK)

Chainlink remains dominant in decentralized oracle networks — and its lead is widening.

Key advantages:

• 1 in market share and security for off-chain data feeds

• Core infrastructure for RWA tokenization and stablecoin systems
• Trusted by traditional finance giants: SWIFT, DTCC, JPMorgan, ANZ, UBS

Upcoming innovations:

• Automatic Compliance Engine (ACE): Enables KYC/AML checks, accredited investor verification, and sanctions screening on-chain
• Decentralized computing networks expanding beyond data delivery

Chainlink isn’t flashy — but it’s becoming the plumbing of Web3 and TradFi convergence.

KOL Murad: $SPX – The “Movement Coin”

$SPX represents a cultural shift — a meme coin with a mission. Murad describes it as:

• A digital refuge for Gen Z facing economic instability
• A financial-spiritual hybrid challenging traditional systems
• Inspired by GME’s retail revolt, but with broader cultural resonance

While high-risk, $SPX taps into youth disillusionment and desire for community ownership — themes that could fuel viral adoption.

Awawat – APG Capital Trader: $BNB, $LEO, $AAVE, $MKR, $XMR

Awawat focuses on survival and stability:

• $BNB / $LEO: Centralized exchange tokens with limited upside but low downside
• $AAVE / $MKR: Established DeFi protocols likely to endure
• $XMR (Monero): Privacy coin with proven resilience against regulatory pressure

His strategy prioritizes assets that can weather market cycles — not chase moonshots.

KOL W3Q: $HOOD & $TSLA – The Bridge Assets

W3Q looks outside pure crypto:

• $HOOD (Robinhood): A “picks and shovels” play on retail investing and crypto adoption

  • Expanding into crypto trading, lending, and banking
  • Superior UX and distribution
• $TSLA (Tesla): Bet on AI robotics + Musk’s potential return to crypto advocacy

These aren’t crypto tokens — but they offer leveraged exposure to Web3 trends through public markets.

Also mentioned: 2x leveraged Bitcoin ETFs, deployed during market bottoms for cyclical gains.

Vance Spencer – Framework Ventures: $SKY

A lesser-known pick: $SKY (current not listed on major CEXs). Details are scarce, but Spencer’s backing suggests promise in decentralized cloud or storage infrastructure — a critical but under-the-radar sector.

Arthur – DeFiance Capital: $AAVE, $ENA, $PENDLE, $JUP

Arthur’s portfolio emphasizes yield efficiency and composability:

• $AAVE: Leading lending protocol
• $ENA: Ethena’s synthetic dollar play
• $PENDLE: Yield-trading innovation
• $JUP: Aggregator dominance on Solana

These represent high-utility DeFi building blocks in growing ecosystems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can non-crypto stocks like $TSLA or $HOOD be considered part of a crypto investment strategy?
A: Yes — especially as bridges between traditional finance and digital assets. Companies integrating crypto services offer indirect exposure with lower volatility.

Q: Is privacy still viable given regulatory scrutiny?
A: Absolutely. Demand for financial privacy increases as surveillance grows. Projects like Zcash and Monero remain resilient despite pressure.

Q: Why focus on revenue-generating tokens?
A: Sustainable value comes from utility. Protocols earning fees can reinvest, reward stakeholders, and survive bear markets — unlike speculative tokens.

Q: Are meme coins ever legitimate long-term investments?
A: Rarely — but exceptions exist if they develop real community utility or cultural momentum (e.g., $SPX).

Q: Should I diversify across multiple L1s?
A: Yes. No single chain dominates all use cases. Diversification reduces risk while capturing growth across ecosystems.

Q: How important is staking yield in long-term returns?
A: Very. Compounding staking rewards can significantly boost total return over 3–5 years, especially in moderate-price-appreciation scenarios.

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Final Thoughts

The next 3–5 years will separate speculative projects from sustainable protocols. The picks highlighted by industry leaders reflect a shift toward revenue-generating assets, real-world utility, privacy preservation, and infrastructure resilience.

Whether you're drawn to Chainlink’s TradFi integration, Starknet’s scalability promise, or Coinbase’s institutional reach — one thing is clear: the future of crypto investment is maturing fast.

Focus on fundamentals. Diversify intelligently. And always align your portfolio with long-term trends — not short-term hype.