A while ago, I saw some crypto KOLs start part-time jobs selling beef meatballs, and many people were mocking them. But upon reflection, this actually reflects a harsh reality in the crypto market.

**The high cost of quick money**

The crypto world can indeed make people get rich overnight. During the 2017-2018 bull run, many achieved financial freedom. But the problem is—this way of making money is unsustainable. When the bear market hits, there are liquidations, zeroed-out accounts, and even debts. Events like Luna and FTX in 2022 once again wiped out a large number of people. By the end of 2025, the market has shown some signs of recovery, but volatility remains terrifying. Not everyone can survive well in such an environment; a more realistic situation is—many people made money but failed to hold onto it.

The same applies to those KOLs who rely on calls, promotions, and hype. When the market is bad, project budgets shrink, and KOLs’ income drops accordingly. Relying solely on this job is too risky.

**Smart people know to diversify**

So you'll find that truly smart crypto folks are never all-in on crypto alone. Selling beef meatballs might be a side job, a passion, or simply a way to ensure stable cash flow. Compared to relying solely on market sentiment, doing a tangible business is more solid—there’s always demand for beef meatballs, but crypto prices don’t necessarily go up every day.

**The division among KOLs is more serious than you think**

The world of crypto KOLs is actually highly divided. The top-tier group—those who entered early and have strong real trading experience—are indeed financially free. But what about mid-tier KOLs? They barely get by through project promotions, paid groups, and referral commissions. When the bear market hits, their income plummets. Some are even in debt, appearing glamorous on the surface but actually relying on borrowing to maintain their image. In this context, doing some small side business in their spare time to supplement income seems quite pragmatic.

**In conclusion**

This phenomenon essentially reflects the brutal law of the crypto market: you can get rich quickly, but it’s hard to stay rich. Those with true foresight will leave themselves a backup plan, engaging in tangible, real businesses. Beef meatballs may not be glamorous, but they’re reliable—better than staying up all night staring at K-line charts.