In today’s newsletter:

• Daily Show Recaps

• Market Psychology in 2025 vs 2021

• Abstract Chain's XP System

• Taproot Wizards' Bitcoin NFT Pricing

• Onchain Heroes' Gaming Success

Listen Now: From examining why 2025's market dips feel worse than 2021's crashes to exploring Abstract's innovative XP distribution system and Onchain Heroes' successful gaming mechanics, this week focused on market psychology and sustainable engagement models. We discussed the philosophical aspects of portfolio management during downturns, debated Bitcoin as an investment versus currency following Taproot Wizards' pricing announcement, and highlighted Manus AI's breakthrough autonomous agent system.

☕️ Brewing This Week

📰 Monday

Crypto Market Psychology: Why 2025's Dips Feel Worse Than 2021's Crashes

Today's show examined why the current crypto market downturn feels more painful than similar pullbacks in 2021. The hosts explored how previous cycles offered exciting distractions like NFT collecting, Top Shot packs, and digital horse racing that kept the community engaged despite price volatility. By contrast, today's hyper-financialized focus on tokens without utility has created a more fragile sentiment environment. Additional segments covered effective token strategy, the importance of retail marketing fundamentals in Web3, and Ethereum's price stagnation compared to Bitcoin's growth.

💡 Tuesday

From Portfolio Rebalancing to Life Balance: Finding Wisdom in Market Downturns

The episode explored the tension between long-term conviction and strategic portfolio management during market downturns, with hosts dissecting the psychology behind missed exit opportunities. A deeply philosophical turn brought guests like Outer Lumen sharing personal experiences with mortality, leading to thoughtful discussions about legacy, meaning, and perspective during uncertain times. Breaking news covered Cynthia Lummis' reintroduced bill proposing the purchase of 1 million Bitcoin over five years with a twenty-year minimum hold, signaling continued institutional adoption potential. Additional updates included reports of potential legal action against Hayden Davis from Argentine authorities.

🔗 Wednesday

Bitcoin as Investment vs. Currency: The Debate Sparked by Taproot Wizards

Today's episode sparked a heated debate about the psychology of spending Bitcoin on NFTs after Taproot Wizards announced their 0.2 BTC (~$17,000) mint price. The hosts discussed how Quantum Cats floor prices dropped 35% following the announcement, with many holders disappointed by the pricing mechanics requiring both alive and dead cats variants. The show contrasted this with Good Vibes Club's successful mint strategy using accessible pricing, and included warnings about the new MassJacker clipboard-hijacking malware targeting crypto users.

🤖 Thursday

Abstract XP Explained + Manus AI's Breakthrough

Special Guests:
Phin Totten - Head of Marketing at Abstract Chain: https://x.com/Phin_totten
Bunchu - AI Expert and CEO of Billy Bets: https://x.com/BunchuBets

Phin Totten, Abstract Chain's Head of Marketing, joined the show to discuss their XP distribution system designed to reward authentic ecosystem participation rather than transaction farming. Phin highlighted Abstract's vision to create sticky user experiences through quality engagement instead of the "TVL game" played by many competing L2 chains.

Bunchu later shared groundbreaking developments with Manus AI, a Chinese-developed autonomous agent system capable of running multiple tasks simultaneously, while noting that AI adoption is accelerating faster than expected with over half of American adults now using AI chatbots.

🥳 Friday

Abstract & Onchain Heroes: Prioritizing Engagement Over Short-Term Gains

Special Guests:
Luca Netz - Cofounder of Igloo Inc: https://x.com/LucaNetz
Skarly - Creator of Onchain Heroes: https://x.com/skarlywarly

Luca detailed Abstract's vision as a vertically integrated consumer platform where users can do everything from gaming to social engagement in one place. Skarly shared insights on Onchain Heroes' success, revealing that 99.5% of emitted tokens were reinvested into gameplay due to the addictive mechanics. The conversation also explored why some NFT collections succeed on ETH mainnet while gaming assets thrive on L2 networks, with both guests advocating for fun-first experiences that create sustainable ecosystems.

Quick Take For Newcomers

Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend everybody!

DISCLAIMER: This newsletter contains information presented solely for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as financial or investment advice. Any investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Please be aware that I may own several digital assets discussed in this publication.