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Crypto Gist is a Yellow Card series that features stories of real-life people across Africa around cryptocurrencies. You'll read funny but educative stories in the Crypto Gist series.

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.

Hello, Can we meet you?

I’m Samantha, hailing from the vibrant land of Malawi, and I'm proud to be a Corporate business manager and strategist.

Welcome Samatha. It’s truly a pleasure to have you with us. If you could describe your crypto experience in one word what would it be?

One word! Oh, now you're really challenging me!

Hahaha! Don’t worry; a phrase or sentence works, too.

If I must, I'd say it's been an "opportunity of a lifetime," one that I'm eternally grateful for not overlooking.

That's the spirit! When did you first hear about crypto?

Luckily, I caught wind of crypto earlier than most, back in the year 2020.

That’s lovely to hear. So, how did you get started with crypto?

Oh, I must admit this is a bit of a funny story! Picture this: I found myself featured in a skit where I had to hypothetically choose between $1BTC or $1,000 in cash. Now, the naive soul that I was, I opted for the instant gratification of $1,000.

No way!
Yes, way! I know, cringe-worthy, right? This was when Bitcoin was hovering around the $10,000 mark, but I was blissfully ignorant about it. The experience was a bit embarrassing, especially given the jokes that followed. But instead of letting embarrassment consume me, I decided to educate myself about it. And look where I am now – a crypto-savvy lady boss!

That’s the energy! Go girl!

Thank you. I took it upon myself to educate myself. I conducted extensive research and enrolled in bitcoin courses on platforms like Coursera, and I was all in. I even opened my first Bitcoin wallet and bought a few altcoins. As someone with a background in finance, diversifying my wallet came naturally. And guess what? It paid off immensely in 2021. I cashed out big time. I had enough funds to leave my job and establish a business corporation, which was great.

Impressive! You turned an embarrassing moment into a jackpot; not everyone can say that.

It's quite a unique journey, and I'm proud of how it unfolded.

You should be! Have you encountered any distinct experiences or acquired any crucial lessons from your crypto journey?

Absolutely! Here's a tidbit I often share with my clients. In 2022, I was sitting on a well-diversified portfolio and then came LUNA onto the scene.

What happened with LUNA?

Well, earlier that year, LUNA started making waves in the news. LUNA was all the rage, creating a buzz that was hard to ignore. The excitement was palpable, and I must admit, I barely researched it and was overly eager to profit, so I pushed a lot of money into it, more than I would typically do. The sheer hype around it led me to believe it was the next Bitcoin. I couldn’t be more wrong!
So, I allocated a significant portion of my investments to LUNA, channelling profits from other crypto. Little did I expect the rug to be pulled from under me, but I'm grateful that even in my excitement, my portfolio remained diversified.

I'm sorry to hear that.

It could have been a horrible story if my wallet wasn’t diversified. This is why I always encourage investors to ensure their investments are well diversified to spread the risks.

However, when I read about the losses others suffered, I find solace in knowing I didn't completely succumb to the hype. In fact, I’d say the entire 2022 was a major lesson with the crypto contagion and all. But what really helped me to navigate my losses was having a proper investment portfolio.

That's a positive outlook. It’s usually a smart strategy to diversify your wallet.

Very smart!

What would be your recommendation to someone just starting out in the crypto space?

The hype machine never stops, whether it's NFTs or cryptocurrencies. However, the key lies in discernment, which only comes through diligent research. The mantra of "do your research" is crucial, but financial intelligence is equally vital. It's not just about understanding the potential of cryptocurrencies; it's about mastering the art of strategically allocating and investing your funds.

That's a fresh perspective, one we truly appreciate. Thank you, Samantha.

You're welcome. It's been a pleasure sharing my crypto journey with you!

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Crypto Gist: Samatha's Rise from Ignorance to Crypto Fortune