Crypto Gist: Learning You Can Trade Crypto With Little Capital Changed My Life

Crypto Gist is a series that highlights the stories of real people around Africa around cryptocurrencies. Our guests share their crypto experiences - intro to crypto, wins, scams, losses and lessons. Would you like to tell your story? Don’t hesitate. Fill out this form to share your story.

Hi, Can we meet you?

I’m Dozie. I’m a crypto trader and also active in the web3 space.

Great to meet you, Dozie.  How did you get into the crypto space?

It’s an interesting story. I have always been into tech, primarily electronics, as  I’m an electrical engineer. I love innovations, and of course, I was excited about cryptocurrencies. I didn’t hear about it on time, though. I heard about it in 2019, but I’m not really a social media person. I heard about the new money, bitcoin. I thought it was an exciting idea. I skimmed through the white paper but wasn't that fixated on it. It seemed fascinating to me, and that was all. 

How then did you start investing in crypto?

I knew about bitcoin and its potential, but as I said, it was just exciting, but I wasn't putting my money in just yet. I’m an electrical engineer and had a few projects I was working on, so of course, that’s where my money was. In late 2019 people started talking more about bitcoin, and I joined the conversation. I didn’t put my money in there; I wanted to get familiar with the space first. By mid-2020, I was talking about investing, but I never put my money there. I always had something to do. 

Whenever I wanted to invest, I felt like I didn't have enough. I already met a few people active in crypto, and I didn’t have as much as they did to invest in crypto. I think I was just making excuses because I knew I could buy fractions. However, for me, it's go big or go home. So, lol, I was home.

Interesting, when did you finally invest?

One of my cousins, we were pretty close, and you know girls, she’s a very thoughtful person, always making sure that she gifts you something that counts. Our birthdays were simultaneously like mine was just a few days before hers. She was broke then, so she told me she would give me my gift later. On her birthday, I sent her about N20,000 for her birthday. She didn't give me anything for like a month, but I wasn’t bothered. I knew when she gave me something; it would mean everything. And she didn't disappoint; it definitely meant something.

Interestingly, she was in the Yellow Card’s BA program and asked me to open an account with Yellow Card. I wasn’t moved, but she was bugging me about its many benefits, which I didn't care much about then. I was going to invest in crypto, just not yet. I wanted more capital first.

Anyway, I opened the account, completed the formalities and used her referral code. After opening the account, I received a surprise credit of N15,000 worth of bitcoin. I was confused, wondering if this was some kind of Yellow Card joining bonus or something. I was about to call her to ask about it when she called me. She explained she knew it was something I always wanted to get into, so she felt she could help me take the first step on my journey.

That’s thoughtful!

Exactly! She wasn’t even an active crypto person herself. She just bought crypto, held and sold if there was a significant price swing, and would wait for the price to go down, probably buy more. And here she was pushing me.

Anyway, she bought my first cryptocurrency for me, and I went on to buy more. That was just the push I needed. 

So how has your crypto journey been?

It’s actually been terrific. I had buried myself in learning about cryptocurrencies, so when I finally started, it was like I had been in it for a long time. I wasn’t shaken by market sentiments, price lows and things like that. In fact, I see them as an opportunity to amass wealth; for me, it has always worked. 

I took more interest and even learned about the Web3 space et al. l. In fact, around 2021, I switched careers to DevOps. I still have my 3D printer. I’m still an engineer, but I have moved more toward the digital space. 

That’s amazing! Any recommendations for our newbies?

I don’t know what to say. My experience is quite different, considering I had a more keen interest in the innovation and not the price gains. In fact, I think that should be my motivation. Don’t just get into it for quick money because the truth is you won’t find it, no cap. You’ll be in too much of a rush; you’ll surely make mistakes that can be grievous. 

Just chill, take your time, and learn about it. And I mean, learn about it, don’t let it just be how to use a wallet and then start following crypto gurus on the best time to sell. Take an interest in knowing what you are investing in. That way, you’ll be able to make well-informed decisions and find your footing easier.

Spoken like an expert. It was great to have you!

It’s always my pleasure.

Read also: What Is Web3 And Why Is It Important?

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