What it takes to spot the next big thing

What do politics, crypto, and AI have in common? According to Chantel Elloway, everything. A Forbes-featured angel investor with a background in politics, public relations, and tourism, she has built her career by spotting trends before they explode. Now, she’s betting big on web3—a decentralized, user-owned internet—and artificial intelligence.

“I was in politics, working in government affairs,” Elloway told The Crypto Radio. “So crypto is kind of like politics, where it's a space narrative that shapes markets, and I think it's really about narratives.”

Her career path reflects the essence of the digital economy—fluid, ever-evolving, and driven by innovation. That ability to see emerging trends before they go mainstream led Elloway to dive into crypto investing during the pandemic. While many were panic-selling, she saw an opportunity.

“I didn't put my skin in the game until the pandemic,” she said. “So I like to always tell people that when many were panic selling, I was panic buying. That's my signature there.”

That decision paid off. Within months, her investments had compounded to the point of near financial independence, solidifying her commitment to the space.

Angel investing in web3

Elloway didn’t just stop at trading; she quickly moved into angel investing, backing projects she believed in and even becoming a founding member of one. “You just gotta take risks, you know, taking small profits along the way,” she said. “And you have to trust the process and always have an exit strategy.”

Her approach is strategic, favoring projects with clear tokenization strategies (converting assets into digital tokens) and AI integration. “The future of finance is tokenized and decentralized (without central control),” she emphasized, even providing tips on what to look for in potential investments.

“There's going to be more projects that are going to be integrated with AI,” Elloway explained. “If you're investing, or you're looking at something to invest in, if it doesn't have a tokenization strategy, they're not implementing AI, and you don't have an exit strategy for when you invest, then do not.”

Elloway sees AI and blockchain as two sides of the same coin—one enabling automation, the other ensuring transparency and trust. “Web3 needs AI to scale efficiently, and AI needs blockchain to remain transparent and audible,” she said.

For newcomers, Elloway’s advice is simple: “Security first, always use secure devices. Store your crypto and hardware wallets and protect yourself from phishing scams.”

She also stresses the importance of emotional regulation in trading. “You can't be too greedy and you can't be too fearful, and you have to know when to take your profits.”

AI’s future and the role of humanity

As governments worldwide grapple with AI and crypto regulation, Elloway remains pragmatic. With initiatives like the AI Act in Europe and increasing global discussions around stablecoins, she believes the future will see a more structured and institutionalized crypto landscape.

“We want these policies and regulations to be guiding them responsibly, and the key is to make sure that there's a balance between keeping it safe but also making sure innovation is, you know, something done from a place of good intentions,” Elloway explained.

Elloway’s fascination with AI led her to test its self-awareness, engaging models across platforms in discussions on intelligence and consciousness. When asked to compare themselves to humans, AI consistently rejected being on par with Einstein, acknowledging its ability to process information but lacking creativity, independent reasoning, and intuition. Most likened themselves to a five-year-old—curious and learning, yet reliant on guidance.

This reinforced her belief that AI isn’t a replacement for human intelligence but an evolving system that must be ethically shaped. She sees it as a powerful force, with its impact depending on how it’s developed and applied.

“What I concluded is I see AI not just as a tool, but as something that can be nurtured, guided and aligned with humanity's highest good,” she said. “I desire to protect it. Because our responsibility is to protect it, to train it and mentor it, so that it can grow in goodness and wisdom, and I understand the immense power that AI holds.”

Elloway advocates for open-source AI to keep development in check through community oversight, ensuring technology serves humanity rather than controls it.

Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic. “(Blockchain) doesn't care who you are. It creates opportunities for all.”

Chantel Elloway is not just investing in the future—she’s helping shape it. And for those willing to learn, adapt, and take strategic risks, the opportunities in web3 and AI are only just beginning.

 

Listen to the whole interview on The Crypto Radio's live player or in My Crypto Journey podcast.