Good Evening, and welcome back to ToTheUnknown,
The newsletter that’s like a cheat code for leveling up your brain (minus the button mashing). 🎮

Today’s post?

Oh, it’s special.

Think bigger, juicier, and hotter than a meme stock on a Reddit frenzy.

As you know, I’m cutting back on posts to Storytelling Wednesday, and a long All you need to know Post (aka today).

Today’s post is going to be juuust a bit longer, but much more insightful.

Here’s what’s on the menu:

• ⚒️ What I’ve been up to – Spoiler alert: a lot. From school Olympiads to prepping for my first YouTube drop (fingers crossed it doesn't flop).

• 🪙 Coinbase’s Big Win: Why It’s a Game-Changer for Crypto – Why this case could rewrite the crypto rulebook and what it means for YOU.

Now, don’t let the short list fool you. Today’s post is so packed it could double as arm day at the gym.

By the end, your brain might feel the burn—but in a good way.

Let’s dive in!

⚒️ What I’ve been up to

I’ve been busy—like really busy—taking notes, tackling school Olympiads (which are competitions, by the way, not ancient Greek marathons), and planning my very first YouTube video.

Will it be out this month?

Next month?

Who knows.

Depends on how much schoolwork I can dodge (kidding… kinda).

Speaking of notes, if you’ve been keeping up, you know I’ve got a lot of them.

So many, in fact, that I’ll need an entire Netflix series to unpack them all.

For now, though, let’s keep things simple and dive into something that could actually change your life (maybe):

When to Sale Plan

Let’s face it—everyone’s obsessed with buying crypto.

Heck, even 7th graders are buzzing about it!

But when I overheard them, I had to hold back my giggles. The pure sh*t they were mumbling to each other sounded like a mix of random buzzwords and pure nonsense. For a moment, they legit sounded and behaved like NPCs in a video game.

It was so painful to witness, it even hurt!

But, let’s get back to the notes.

“Buy low, sell high,” they say.

Easy, right?

Nope.

The selling part is where most people fumble the bag.

So here’s a foolproof plan to help you know exactly when and how to sell like a great investor.

Step 1: Start With Goals

Before you even think about touching that shiny “Buy” button, you need to know your why and set your goals.

Why are we investiing in crypto this cycle? What’s the endgame?

Your goals could be anything, like:

• Is it saving for retirement (if you want to chill on a beach with a margarita when you’re 60).

• Is it for putting a down payment on your dream house (the kind with a pool and maybe a slide).

• Is it buying a car (Tesla? Lamborghini? Or just something with good gas mileage?).

• Is it getting out of debt.

• Is it building passive income streams (because who doesn’t want money rolling in while they sleep?).

Or maybe it’s a mix of all of these.

The point is: write it down.

Be specific.

Numbers, timelines, and all.

It’s all up to you to set your goals when it comes to investing (this doesn’t only apply to crypto, also to TradFi investing)

For example:
“I want to save $50,000 for a house down payment within the next 5 years.”

Boom.

Now you’ve got a clear target.

Step 2: Divide Your Portfolio Into 3 Buckets

Here’s where the magic happens. Your crypto portfolio shouldn’t be a big pile of coins with no direction.

Split it into these three segments:

1/ Segment: Long-Term Holders (HODL Forever)

This is your “lock it up and throw away the key” stash. These are the coins you believe will still be valuable 10+ years from now. Think $BTC (Bitcoin), $ETH (Ethereum), or $SOL (Solana).

What to do:

• Store these coins in a hardware wallet like Ledger or Trezor.

• If it’s $ETH or $SOL then stake them in low-risk protocols to earn extra rewards. For example, you can stake $ETH with validators and earn passive income.

This is your retirement fund. Don’t touch it unless you’re stranded on a desert island and need to trade Bitcoin for a boat ride home.

2/ Segment: Sell Into Fiat (Cash Out Smart)

This segment is for coins you plan to sell for real-world money (aka fiat). When prices hit your pre-determined targets, you cash out to buy the first 3 things on your goals list.

Pro Tip: If you’re serious about cashing out, consider buying ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) like $BTC or $ETH ETFs, which make it easier to manage your portfolio in the traditional financial system, and why I’m really mentioning this, is to save you a TON of tax money (it could be up to thousands)

3/ The Fun Money (Trade Like a Huligaan)

This is your “I’m feeling lucky” bucket. A small percentage of your portfolio is reserved for trading—swapping into other cryptos, stablecoins, or major assets like $ETH or $BTC.

But keep it SMALL.

Don’t go overboard and gamble your life savings away.

Think of it as your experimental budget. You invest it into these tokens that you have done your research on and think will go up 100x or 1000x.

Tips for Bull Markets

Step 3: Have a Plan and Stick to It

This is the most important step. Without a plan, you’ll get swept up in the chaos of the crypto market.

Here’s what you need to figure out:

• What assets will you invest in? Why?

• How much of your portfolio goes to crypto, cash, or other investments? (as I’m so young, I try to invets 70% of my income and don’t keep much in cash)

• When will you buy?

• When will you sell?

For example:
“I’ll sell 20% of my portfolio when Bitcoin hits $50,000 and another 30% when it hits $75,000.”

Write it down.

Tattoo it on your arm if you have to. (Okay, maybe don’t do that.)

Step 4: Manage Your Emotions

The crypto market is a rollercoaster—FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt), chasing pumps, and random panic sell moments are all part of the ride.

But here’s how to keep your cool:

Journal Your Investments
Seriously, this is a game-changer. Write down why you’re buying, why you’re selling, and how you feel about it. Then, when you’re tempted to make an impulsive trade, read your journal.

Ask yourself:

• Do you still want to make that trade after reading the journal?

• “Am I breaking my plan?”

• “Is this trade based on solid logic or just emotion?”

• “Do I need a snack and a nap instead of making this trade?”

• “Am I acting impulsively?”

• Do you have a strong thesis for this trade?

Wait 24 Hours and get your mind off it (like OFF, off it)
Before making any big moves, take a day to cool off.

Go outside.

Touch some grass (yes, it’s still green).

Binge a Netflix show.

Anything to get your mind off crypto.

Here’s what I do: I journal.
And let me tell you, this habit has been an absolute game-changer.

If I could jump back in time, I’d hand 12-year-old me a notebook and scream, “Start journaling NOW!”

It’s my secret weapon—helped me stay focused, reflect, and make better decisions. I started when I was around 13, and honestly, it’s one of the best investments I’ve made in myself.

Highly recommend.

Step 5: Don't compare yourslef to others.

Your plan could be different than someone else’s.

Step 6: Double down on learning and using the technology.

Use the tech. Study the tech. Listen to podcasts, read newsletters (like this one), and join discussions on Discord. The more you know, the better your edge in the market.

The esiest way to get an edge on the market is simply by doubleing down on education.

Use the tech.

Also use competitors apps.

Study the tech.

Listen to podcasts, read newsletters (like this one), and join discussions on Discord. The more you know, the better your edge in the market.

This industry innovates and adapts quickly.

Step 7: Don’t forgt about taxes

Application Tokens: The Stocks of Crypto

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s get something straight: application tokens are NOT like $BTC, $ETH, or $SOL. Those are currencies that power entire blockchains.

Application tokens are different.

They symbolize applications, protocols, communities, DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), or even social tokens.

Think of them as the stocks of the crypto world—but with extra perks. They’re tied to specific applications, not just equity and governance like traditional shares.

For example:

• Amazon has $AMZN stock.

• Netflix has $NFLX stock.

• In crypto, Uniswap ($UNI) or Rocket Pool ($RPL) are similar tokens tied to specific projects.

These tokens represent categories like gaming, staking, metaverse, and social platforms.

Why Should You Care?

Application tokens are a way to invest in the future.

If you think decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, or metaverse platforms will grow, buying their tokens is like buying a slice of their pie.

But here’s the catch: not all pies are tasty (some might be rotten). That’s where the 5-step research process comes in.

Steps to Evaluate Application Tokens

Before you jump in and buy tokens because someone on TikTok said they’re “the next big thing,” follow this plan:

Step 0: Don’t Trust Influencers (Do Your Own Research)

Let’s start with the golden rule: don’t let someone else’s hype dictate your investments.

Most influencers don’t have your best interests in mind—they’re chasing likes, not financial success.

Instead, commit to doing your own research (DYOR).

You’re not just buying a token; you’re buying into an idea, a team, and a community.

Step 1: Evaluate the Business Viability

This is the make-or-break question: Is this application a viable–(is it able to work as intended or able to succeed) business?

Ask yourself:

• Does it solve a real-world problem?

• Does it have or could it have Product-Market Fit (PMF)?

What’s Product-Market Fit? 

It means there’s actual demand for the product or service.

For example, Uber has PMF (Product-Market Fit) because millions of people use it to get from Point A to Point B.

A crypto project with PMF will have a growing user base and clear utility.

Example:
Uniswap ($UNI) solves a major problem in DeFi: it lets you trade crypto without needing a middleman.

That’s a visible, viable business.

Step 2: Use the Application

This step is non-negotiable. Try the app or platform yourself.

Here’s why:

• You’ll understand its user experience (UX) firsthand.

• You’ll see how easy (or hard) it is to use.

• You’ll spot red flags competitors might be doing better.

Pro Tip: Test competing platforms too. If the competitor feels smoother, faster, or more reliable, it might be the better investment.

Example:

• Try trading on Uniswap ($UNI). Is it easy to swap tokens?

• Compare it to a competitor like SushiSwap ($SUSHI).

Step 3: Analyze the Tech

Time to get nerdy. The tech behind a project is crucial—this is where you separate real innovation from hot air.

What to look for:

• Is the code unique or just a copycat? A true innovator will stand out.

• Is it open-source? Check platforms like GitHub to see the code for yourself.

• Does the whitepaper explain the nuts and bolts clearly?

You don’t have to be a coder to spot red flags. If the project can’t explain itself in simple terms, that’s a bad sign.

Step 4: Investigate the Team

The people behind the project are just as important as the tech.

Look for:

• Experience: Are they experts in their field?

• Transparency: Are they open about their goals and progress?

• Track Record: Have they worked on successful projects before?

Red Flag: Anonymous teams without any public profiles.

Step 5: Study the Community

The community is the heartbeat of any project.

A strong, engaged, and educated community often means the project is built to last.

How to check:

• Join their Discord or Telegram. Are people asking real questions and getting real answers?

• Look at their social media. Are they transparent and active, or just spamming hype?

Green Flag: A community focused on education and building.
Red Flag: Endless “When moon?” comments with no meaningful discussion.

I’ll end it here, or it would becoome too long.

🪙 Coinbase’s Big Win: Why It’s a Game-Changer for Crypto

Buckle up because this is the kind of news that makes crypto Twitter go wild.

Coinbase, the biggest crypto exchange in the U.S., just got a legal W that might change everything for the industry.

Here’s the deal: A U.S. federal judge hit the “pause” button on the SEC’s lawsuit against Coinbase.

Why?

The judge agreed that this isn’t your run-of-the-mill court case. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals now needs to decide if the SEC’s accusations even make sense under current laws. In simpler terms: The court is asking, “Does the SEC even have the right to sue over this?”

Why Does This Matter?

The crypto world has been running in regulatory fog for years. No one’s quite sure if some crypto assets are securities (like stocks) or something else entirely.

The outcome of this case could clear up that mess.

• If Coinbase wins: The SEC might have to take a step back from trying to regulate every little corner of crypto.

• If Coinbase loses: The SEC could double down, and the rules around crypto might get even tighter.

Either way, this decision is going to set the tone for how the U.S. treats crypto moving forward.

Tokenized Stocks? Yup, That’s a Thing

Here’s where it gets futuristic. Coinbase is considering making its stock ($COIN) available as a tokenized asset on its blockchain platform, Base.

Think of it like this: Instead of buying shares the old-school way through the Nasdaq, you could own them as digital tokens.

Example time:
Imagine you could buy a tiny piece of Tesla stock while scrolling through your favorite crypto app—no middlemen, no complicated brokerage accounts. That’s the vibe Coinbase is going for.

But hold up!

They’re not launching it tomorrow.

Jesse Pollak, Coinbase’s head of Base, said they’re still figuring out how to do this legally. 

Shocker, right?

A Judge with Some Wisdom

Judge Katherine Polk Failla, the MVP of this case, pointed out that applying old-school securities laws to new-school crypto is... complicated.

She mentioned something called the Howey Test (the legal test to decide if something’s a security) and said it’s unclear how it works with digital assets.

Translation: Crypto is so new, even the law is scratching its head.

What This Means for You

Let’s get personal. How does this affect YOU, the reader?

• If you’re into crypto investing:
  This case could make crypto trading smoother, with fewer regulatory hoops to jump through.

• If you’re thinking of using Coinbase:
  Tokenized stocks might be a thing soon. That means you could potentially buy shares like $COIN through a blockchain wallet instead of a traditional brokerage. Cool, huh?

• If you’re cheering for crypto innovation:
  A win for Coinbase would send a strong message to regulators: Stop slowing us down. This could mean faster innovation and more exciting products in the crypto world.

Why This is Big

Amanda Tuminelli, from the DeFi Education Fund, called this a “pivotal moment” for crypto.

She’s not wrong.

If Coinbase pulls this off, it’s not just a win for them—it’s a win for anyone who believes in a future where crypto and traditional finance coexist.

Oh, and if the Second Circuit Court rules in Coinbase’s favor, it could unlock a flood of new opportunities for crypto projects across the U.S.

That’s a wrap, folks! 🎬

Yeah, I know—this was a brain workout. If your head’s spinning and you’re thinking, "Why did I willingly subject myself to this?"—guess what? You just leveled up. 💪🧠

And if you’re like me right now, staring at your screen, clutching your forehead, and contemplating a nap, just know… we’ve both earned it. 🤕💤

Next Wednesday, we’re back at it—same time, same place, with even more insights to make your future self fist-bump you. Until then, stay curious, stay hungry, and maybe stay off TikTok for a minute.

Peace out,

P.S. If you’re feeling extra bold, share this post with a friend who “doesn’t get crypto.” It’ll either enlighten them or send them running for the hills. Win-win. 😎