My Complete Investment, Research, and Writing Methodology in Crypto

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The blockchain space moves fast—information overload is real, and noise drowns out signal. Over the past year, I’ve refined a systematic approach to investing, researching, and writing that has not only shaped my understanding but also guided real-world decisions with measurable outcomes. This article distills everything I’ve learned: from spotting high-conviction opportunities to sourcing truth in a sea of speculation, and turning deep research into clear, impactful content.

Whether you're building, investing, or simply trying to stay ahead, this framework can help you navigate crypto with clarity and confidence.

Investment Logic: Finding Certainty in Uncertainty

Many seek a "get-rich-quick" formula in crypto. But there’s no magic coin or secret tip—only methodology. My investment philosophy centers on identifying structural opportunities within evolving ecosystems, particularly Ethereum, and capitalizing on them through multi-stage trend analysis.

Instead of chasing short-term pumps, I focus on long-term narratives—what I call “the endgame”—and map out the milestones required to get there. This dual lens allows me to time entries precisely and avoid premature or overly late exposure.

Let’s take the LSD (Liquid Staking Derivatives) boom as a case study.

The LSD Playbook: From Vision to Execution

Ethereum’s transition to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) wasn’t speculation—it was public roadmap. Vitalik Buterin outlined it back in 2016. The endgame? A fully staked, decentralized Ethereum ecosystem where users earn yield while maintaining liquidity.

But knowing the destination isn’t enough. What mattered were the key milestones along the way:

  1. 2016: Vitalik’s vision published—too early to act.
  2. 2020: Beacon Chain launched—still testing phase.
  3. 2021: Merge completed—PoS live, but no withdrawals yet.
  4. 2022: Shanghai Upgrade enabled staking withdrawals—a game-changer.

👉 Discover how early access to ecosystem upgrades can reveal hidden investment windows.

The real signal came with Shanghai Upgrade. For the first time, users could stake ETH and withdraw it—unlocking massive demand for liquid staking solutions like Lido.

I entered the space in late 2021—just before the narrative gained momentum. Why then? Because institutions and influencers had already started talking about post-Merge dynamics. Market psychology shifts months before technical milestones hit.

Once Lido took off, capital flowed downstream. That’s when I turned attention to SSV Network, a distributed validator infrastructure enabling decentralized staking pools. It’s technically complex and farther from immediate revenue—but perfectly positioned for long-term growth.

When SSV faced delays and regulatory FUD around centralized staking emerged (despite being largely misinformation), Rocket Pool surged as a “safe haven” alternative. Not the most advanced tech, but decentralized enough to benefit from sentiment swings.

This entire arc—from Lido to SSV to Rocket Pool—wasn’t random. It followed a predictable pattern:
Core narrative → Mainstream adoption → Capital overflow → Adjacent plays

And remember: Shanghai didn’t mean the story ended. Ethereum’s staking ratio remains low (~30%), leaving room for further expansion.

Parallel Trends: OP and AI

Two other major themes emerged: Optimism (OP) and AI tokens.

OP was initially expected to launch alongside EIP-4844 during Shanghai, but was delayed to the Cancun Upgrade. Still, market anticipation drove early momentum—a classic example of pricing in future catalysts.

I view OP not just as a Layer 2 play, but as part of a broader modular blockchain narrative, where scalability separates execution from consensus. This structural shift creates long-term value accrual potential beyond short-term hype.

As for AI tokens? I stayed out—not because they lack upside, but because I couldn’t see a meaningful on-chain integration yet. Most AI projects feel like traditional tech startups rebranded with tokens.

However, their rise makes sense from a market sentiment perspective. ChatGPT reignited global interest in artificial intelligence. Public equities rallied. So did crypto—regardless of fundamentals.

In essence, AI tokens became speculative proxies for Nasdaq exposure. And while I respect that trade, I reserve capital only for projects aligned with my belief in decentralized infrastructure.

Setting Realistic Returns

My target? 3x returns per investment cycle. Once achieved, I exit. Not because I doubt further upside—but because I acknowledge the limits of my insight.

Crypto’s volatility demands discipline. Greed leads to overexposure; fear leads to missed chances. By setting thresholds, I maintain peace of mind—and longevity in the game.

Some prefer holding BTC and ETH. That’s valid. But with smaller capital, I prioritize capital efficiency: achieving multiple 3x wins in parallel rather than waiting years for one.

Of course, this only works if backed by rigorous research—not guesses.

Information Sourcing: Cut Through the Noise

In an industry flooded with hot takes and recycled narratives, firsthand information is your edge.

I don’t rely on Twitter feeds or news aggregators for core insights. Instead, I go straight to the source:

These platforms offer unfiltered access to proposals, debates, and roadmaps—often months before mainstream coverage.

👉 Access real-time data and official announcements that shape market-moving events.

Too many analysts act like “turkeys” predicting Thanksgiving based on past feeding patterns. In crypto, the “farmers” are developers writing code and submitting EIPs. Read their work. Study GitHub commits. Attend developer calls.

That’s how you spot trends before they trend.

Research & Writing Framework: The Four-Layer Model

Not all research is equal. Surface-level summaries won’t give you an edge. True understanding comes from deep, structured analysis—what I call the Four-Layer Research Model:

1. Look Outside: What Problem Does It Solve?

Start with the basics:

This layer answers the “what” and “why,” using whitepapers and official docs.

2. Look Inside: How Does It Work?

Dive into mechanics:

For example, when analyzing Aptos, don’t just say “it’s fast.” Ask: Why is it fast? Move semantics? Parallel execution? Understand the how.

3. Look Beside: How Does It Compare?

No project exists in isolation. Map the competitive landscape:

Think Gartner Magic Quadrant for crypto protocols.

4. Look Ahead: What Does It Mean for the Industry?

Zoom out:

For instance, account abstraction isn’t just a UX improvement—it could redefine identity and ownership in Web3.

This framework turns fragmented knowledge into coherent insight—and powerful content.

Personal Growth: From Code to Market Insight

My journey evolved in five stages:

  1. Code Research: Writing smart contract tutorials.
  2. Security Analysis: Responding to hacks with forensic breakdowns.
  3. Protocol Study: Deep-diving into EIPs and NFT standards.
  4. Project Evaluation: Assessing infra-layer builders like Lens and Push.
  5. Market Strategy: Connecting technical trends to investable opportunities (e.g., SSV, Lido).

Each phase built on the last—culminating in a holistic ability to connect technology with market behavior.

I’ve written nearly 100 articles without running ads or taking sponsorships. Why? Because clarity of thought matters more than clicks. And surprisingly, this integrity has opened doors—partnerships, collaborations, recognition like Mirror Spotlight and Push RockstarsOfPush.

More importantly, it helped me build trust—with readers, builders, and myself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you still follow this strategy today?
A: Yes—though I now apply it across more ecosystems beyond Ethereum to avoid blind spots.

Q: How do you validate your research before investing?
A: Cross-reference developer activity, on-chain metrics, and community engagement before committing funds.

Q: Can this method work for beginners?
A: Absolutely—with patience. Start small, focus on one niche, and master sourcing and analysis step by step.

Q: Why not use technical analysis (TA)?
A: TA feels like reading tea leaves in crypto’s volatile environment. Fundamentals and ecosystem shifts drive long-term price action.

Q: How much time do you spend researching daily?
A: 2–3 hours on average—curating sources, reading proposals, engaging communities.

Q: What if your thesis fails?
A: Every failed bet teaches something new. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s continuous learning.

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Final Thoughts

This isn’t a guaranteed path to riches—it’s a disciplined approach to navigating uncertainty. By focusing on first principles, sourcing truth directly, and structuring analysis rigorously, you gain clarity others lack.

Your background, risk tolerance, and goals will shape how you apply this—but the core idea remains:
Build your own conviction. Don’t rent someone else’s narrative.

If this resonated, great. If not, that’s okay too. Just keep asking questions—and keep digging deeper.

After all, in crypto, the best returns go not to those who follow loudest—but to those who understand first.