The key to maximizing returns in crypto often comes down to one principle: timing the market cycle correctly. Most investors chase what's already hot—by then, the real gains are already behind you. The smarter play is identifying assets before momentum kicks in, when the narrative is still forming and prices haven't exploded yet.

Pre-hype recognition requires doing your research early, understanding the fundamentals, and having the conviction to hold through the quiet phase. It's uncomfortable because there's no FOMO driving you, no headlines confirming your choice. But that's exactly where the asymmetric returns hide.

So here's the real question: What's your current pre-hype position? What are you quietly accumulating before the crowd figures it out?