The pandemic prodigy: How lockdown launched a crypto career

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Locked down and restless during the pandemic, most teenagers were binge-watching shows or scrolling through social media. But one young trader was glued to crypto charts – laying the groundwork for a multi-million dollar career.

"I was 14 when I started," Krypto Vincent told The Crypto Radio. "I looked up to a lot of videos back then, and maybe the interest came from my mother. She was working at the local bank in my hometown."

While his peers were occupied with hobbies and school, Vincent was absorbing everything he could about stocks and cryptocurrency – setting himself on a path few his age would take.

From coin collector to crypto investor

Vincent’s first steps into finance began with something simple – collecting coins. "I collected coins, like rial coins and euros back then. I still have some of them. And this piqued my interest in finances in general, in money," he recalled.

His curiosity about investing grew when he discovered online content covering financial markets. He immersed himself in videos about the stock market and cryptocurrency, gradually building his knowledge from the age of 14.

In the beginning, Vincent didn’t have anyone to share his passion with, as his peers weren’t interested. That changed around the age of 15 or 16, when a friend, inspired by MM Crypto’s content, introduced him to crypto trading. This exposure sparked his interest in Bitcoin, Bitcoin futures, and the wider world of digital assets – paving the way for his deeper involvement in the market.

Trading in a pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic gave him an unexpected opportunity to deepen his knowledge. Suddenly, he had time – lots of it.
"When the pandemic hit, I had homeschooling. I didn't have to do much for school. I was basically 16 hours a day at home," he said. "And this was the big start for me to learn a lot of crypto. I was basically 16 hours a day in front of the charts."

His dedication eventually led him to take a bold step – managing investments beyond his own portfolio. He started by offering tips and consulting friends on their portfolios, and as they saw positive results, his expertise quickly gained recognition.

Encouraged by their trust and the effectiveness of his strategies, he decided to establish his own portfolio management company.

The highs and lows of managing portfolios

From his desk to millions – Krypto Vincent’s trading journey. Photo: Unsplash / Josh Sorenson

Managing other people’s money brought an entirely new level of pressure.
"I had for real three to four days where I didn't sleep, wow. So it was completely crazy," he admitted, reflecting on the stress of market downturns.

Despite the stress, Vincent maintained his edge through discipline. He prioritized sleep, aiming for eight to nine hours whenever possible, while regular workouts and boxing kept him sharp.

He also used AI tools such as ChatGPT to analyze market psychology and trends, staying on top of shifting dynamics.

Connecting with others in the space became crucial, allowing him to exchange insights and stay informed.

For new investors, he emphasized the importance of strategy over emotion. Many beginners, he observed, tend to invest based on recommendations from influencers without conducting their own research.

Instead, he advocated for a structured approach – understanding market movements, determining the right moments to take profits, and diversifying portfolios strategically. Managing asset allocation and setting limits for each investment position were critical components in mitigating risk and ensuring long-term success.

Understanding market trends and avoiding pitfalls

A common pitfall for new investors is falling for hype-driven investments.
"I think you have to see the big difference from the pump.fun memecoins, or celebrity memecoins – I don't have any. I think this is destroying the crypto space, and in this direction, you have to be very careful, especially as a beginner," he said.

Instead, he emphasizes the importance of looking at the broader economic landscape. Understanding how financial factors affect the crypto market can help investors spot opportunities and reduce risks.

He applies the same principle when evaluating investment opportunities. Rather than focusing solely on individual projects, he stresses the importance of identifying where the market's attention is at any given time. Sectors like AI or memecoins may present lucrative opportunities when they align with current trends, but even well-structured projects can struggle if they lack visibility within the market's prevailing narrative.

The future of crypto and security measures

As for the future, Vincent remains cautiously optimistic about the market.
"I could imagine we see a huge blow off the cycle top, like in Q2 maybe, maybe in Q4," he predicted.

With cybersecurity threats becoming more prevalent, he underscores the importance of securing digital assets. Storing cryptocurrencies on exchanges poses significant risks, as these platforms are vulnerable to hacks and security breaches. Instead, he advocates for using self-custody wallets, which provide greater control and protection over funds, ensuring that investors retain full ownership of their assets.

Reflecting on his journey, Vincent attributes his success to discipline, research, and resilience.
"It's very important to also learn from your own mistakes, to do their own mistakes, to reflect on yourself... maybe to make a journal," he said. "I'm talking a lot to ChatGPT. And ChatGPT is doing a whole psychology analysis."

From a teenager watching YouTube videos to managing high-value portfolios, his story is a testament to what dedication and strategic thinking can achieve in the fast-moving world of crypto. His story offers lessons not only for investors but for anyone aiming to excel in a fast-paced world.

Listen to the whole interview on The Crypto Radio's live player or in the My Crypto Journey podcast, part one and part two.