My Unexpected Start in Crypto
My crypto journey didn’t begin the way most people imagine. No online course, no mentor, and definitely no fancy trading app. It all started when I was just 12 years old, a curious Nigerian junior secondary school student with a deep passion for technology, digital tools, and anything that had to do with the internet. I’ve always been that kind of person—someone who loves digging into things, pressing buttons to see what works, and asking questions others might avoid.
Back then, I was on YouTube almost every day, not watching music videos or comedy skits—but tutorials. I was fascinated with planes and wanted to become a pilot (lol… Nigeria no gree). During one of those days, a family friend introduced me to Pi Network—a mobile mining app that didn’t require real money. I was instantly hooked.
That was my first real exposure to cryptocurrency. I started inviting others to join the network. As they asked questions, I found myself researching things like “what is mining?”, “how does blockchain work?”, and “is Pi a scam?” I didn’t realize it at the time, but this constant search for answers became the foundation of my crypto education.
The First Trade That Shook Me
By 2019, I felt confident enough to try actual trading. I wasn’t thinking long term—I just wanted to “make it” like the people I saw flexing profits on social media. Then one day, I saw a “hot tip” in a Telegram group. It sounded legit. They even posted charts and promised it would double soon.
I took ₦10,000—money I had saved from little jobs here and there—and bought the recommended token. I waited. The token dipped. I waited more. It dipped further. Then suddenly, the group went silent.
It didn’t just sting; it burned. I was hurt, confused, and embarrassed. I remember always staring at my wallet, hoping it would bounce back. It never did and that was the end of my investment. That ₦10,000 loss may seem small to some, but for me at that time, it was everything. I cried my heart out.
The Binary Trading Detour
Moving forward, I heard of binary trading, and eager to recover and riding the wave of “quick wins,” I jumped into binary options trading next—because everyone online was making crazy returns, right? I put in a decent chunk of my savings and began clicking “call” and “put” based on gut feelings and trending buzz. One restless night at around 2 AM, I logged on to check my account and my balance had plunged to just $1. My heart sank, and I literally cried myself to sleep. I woke up feeling physically ill, my confidence shattered more than my bank balance. That collapse forced me to step back completely—no charts, no trades, no crypto—for weeks. It was the first time I realized chasing hype only leads to burnout and heartbreak, and that genuine progress requires patience, research, and self-care.
But looking back, those painful trades became the real beginning of my crypto journey. They forced me to wake up and start learning the right way.
Top 5 Beginner Crypto Mistakes I Made (And What You Can Learn)
1. Jumping in Without Real Knowledge
Knowing what “crypto” is doesn’t mean you understand trading. I didn’t understand price charts, trends, or even basic risk management. I acted on vibes, not strategy.
2. Trusting Anonymous Online Groups
Telegram and Twitter can be great for crypto communities—but they’re also filled with fake projects and pump-and-dump scams. I learned the hard way that not all “signals” are helpful.
3. Investing More Than I Could Afford to Lose
₦10,000 was a lot for me at the time. I put it all in one coin with zero backup plan. A safer bet would have been splitting it across projects or keeping some in reserve.
4. Ignoring Red Flags
Promises of “fast returns” should have been my warning sign. But I wanted to believe it so badly that I ignored the obvious signs of a scam.
5. Letting Emotions Guide My Decisions
I invested because I didn’t want to miss out. That’s called FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)—and it leads many beginners to make impulsive choices.
What I Did Differently After the Loss
I almost quit. That loss shook my confidence. But instead of walking away, I decided to dig deeper. I stopped chasing hype and started studying how things worked.
Here’s what I began doing differently:
- I followed reliable content creators on YouTube and Twitter who broke down projects in simple language without trying to sell me anything.
- I studied whitepapers (even though they were boring at first) to understand the purpose of each project.
- I joined legitimate communities—forums like Reddit’s r/cryptocurrency and Discord servers with moderated discussions.
- I learned about wallets and security—because if your assets aren’t safe, they’re not really yours.
- I started with small amounts, treated every trade as a lesson, and wrote down my results.
Crypto became more than just a “money-making idea.” It became a skill set, a passion, and something I genuinely wanted to understand.
Advice I’d Give to Every Beginner in Crypto
1. Don’t Rush In
Take your time to understand the basics—blockchain, tokens, wallets, exchanges, and trading patterns.
2. Be Skeptical of Hype
If someone promises you guaranteed returns, run. Nothing in crypto is guaranteed.
3. Use Trusted Platforms
Stick to well-known exchanges like Binance, KuCoin, or Coinbase to reduce risk.
4. Use a Demo Account
Many platforms offer practice trading—perfect for learning without losing money.
5. Secure Your Wallets
Use 2FA, strong passwords, and cold wallets for big amounts.
6. Keep Learning
Crypto changes fast. Stay updated by reading articles, watching trusted YouTubers, or following reliable Twitter accounts.
From Pain to Passion
Those losses hurts—but in hindsight, they saved me from bigger mistakes. They made me slow down, reevaluate, and approach crypto with maturity. Today, I still learn every day, and I still make some losses and small mistakes—but now I have the tools to recover and grow.
If you're reading this and you’re new to the crypto world, please learn from my story. You don’t need to lose money to learn—sometimes, someone else’s loss can become your turning point.
What’s Your Story?
Have you had a similar crypto experience? Made a mistake or loss that changed how you see things? Did you join the Pi network? Or are you just getting started? Feel free to share your story in the comments—I read every single one. I’d love to hear from you too.
Let’s help each other grow smarter and stronger in this wild, exciting world of crypto. 🚀💡
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This is a story to learn from
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