Euphoria, Panic, and Crashes: Navigating 38 Years of Bull and Bear Markets, Volatility is the Inevitable Path to Wealth
Facing the recent extreme volatility in crypto markets, a veteran with 38 years of market experience and 13 years in crypto shares his perspective. He has witnessed Bitcoin’s rise from $200 to $75,000 and endured multiple drawdowns of 50% to 80%. Through these cycles, he emphasizes that volatility is the necessary “entry tax” in a secular bull market, and true wealth belongs to those who overcome emotional instincts, accumulate during panic, and hold long-term.
He recalls buying BTC at $200 in 2013, only to see it drop 75% shortly after, and later falling 87% in the 2014 bear market. During the 2017 bull run, he experienced multiple sharp corrections. Although he sold during the fork wars and missed further gains, he re-entered during the COVID crash. In 2021, BTC fell 50% from April to July, similar to current sentiment, yet it eventually reached new highs.
Key lessons:
1. For secular assets, doing nothing (HODLing) often outperforms timing the market.
2. Aggressively adding during sell-offs, even incrementally, compounds returns significantly over time.
He advises asking two questions: Will the world be more digital tomorrow? Will fiat currency be worth less? If yes, continue investing. Time in the market beats timing the market. Manage position size according to personal risk tolerance, and never use leverage—it leads to permanent loss.
He stresses the importance of having self-earned conviction (DYOR—Do Your Own Research), not relying on borrowed beliefs. While timing experts may occasionally succeed, expecting and accepting volatility is crucial. He continues to buy during dips, as he did in 2020–2024, and plans to do so again.
Volatility is the price paid for long-term compound returns. Embrace it.
marsbit02/07 04:17
