Is it worth the risk to quit a stable job and go all in on crypto?

Written by: Route 2 FI

Translated by: Luffy, Foresight News

Should you quit your stable job and go all-in on crypto? This is a frequently discussed topic. Here are some brief thoughts:

First, do you have sufficient savings? If not, how do you plan to make a living? Simply saying "I'll make money through trading" isn't enough.

Ask yourself what you're good at. Perhaps the most important skill in this industry is endurance. If you're willing to put in 12 to 14 hours every day, then you already have one advantage. Therefore, for those with limited capital, time might be your most valuable asset.

You need to keep learning and improving constantly. So, what specific areas should you focus on? Content creation, centralized exchange (CEX) trading, industry research, meme coin trading, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), airdrops, YouTube videos, Telegram groups, podcasts, and more—there are many options.

If you enjoy writing like I do, Twitter, newsletters, and Telegram are likely the best platforms for you; if you're better at verbal communication, YouTube and podcasts may suit your style better; if you're skilled with numbers and enjoy staring at price charts, focus on honing your trading skills and connect with traders you admire on Twitter.

So far, do you have a proven track record of real profits in crypto? Whether through trading, airdrop farming, marketing, or working in Web3. If not, have you considered applying for a related job?

Let's assume you have some savings and have previously made money in crypto. But what if one day you lose everything? Think seriously about the worst-case scenario: would you still be able to pay your bills?

If things go bad, can you return to your previous job? What opportunity cost comes from not going all-in on crypto? Would you miss out on potential benefits from your current job?

Are you sure you’re willing to spend all day in a room, with greasy hair and unshaven face, staring at charts, scrolling Twitter, Telegram, and Discord? You might call it "freedom," but is it really freedom?

Personally, I'm introverted and adapt well to this lifestyle, but 80% of my real-life friends would go crazy doing this. It can be very lonely. Even though theoretically you can treat it like a 9-to-5 job, in the 24/7 "casino" of crypto, that’s much harder than it sounds.

Do you have enough self-discipline to work independently? Don’t underestimate the comfort that comes from a daily routine and clear tasks. For some, working independently feels magical, but for social people, it can be pure torture.

Do you believe there’s room for income growth after quitting your job? It's easy to think you can 10x your net worth in crypto, but 98% of people can't do it—in fact, they end up losing money.

Could you first apply for a Web3-related job, stabilize yourself, and then quit your 9-to-5 later? If possible, I'd recommend this approach more.

It's time to be honest with yourself. Ask: "Are my skills good enough to get paid?"

If the answer is no → seek an internship. This could be at a crypto company/startup, a venture capital (VC) firm, a family office, assisting key opinion leaders (KOLs) with various tasks, or even assisting traders you admire (if you do well, they may share insider insights). Internships usually don't pay much, so focus on gaining experience and preparing for the future.

If the answer is yes → will you make money independently, or apply for a job at a crypto company?

Making money independently could be a difficult and long road, requiring full commitment. But if you believe in yourself and your skills, and think long-term returns will far exceed a regular job, I suggest giving it a try.

Applying for a job at a crypto company is the safer option, as you’ll receive a steady salary. And who says you can’t focus on your own projects alongside your job?

Although a job takes up some of your time compared to going all-in, a fixed salary lets you focus on side projects with greater peace of mind.

Here’s a small suggestion: I know many people think, "It’s bull market now, I should focus on trading, no time for job hunting." But actually, it’s easier to find jobs during a bull market. If your capital is pitifully small, why obsess over making money through trading?

Even if SOL triples from its current price, your $1,000 would only become $3,000. You could earn that amount within a month at an entry-level job. Most of you won’t become the next "meme coin winner" turning $1,000 into $1 million. If you truly had that kind of ability, you wouldn’t be debating whether to work—you wouldn’t even be reading this article.

If you're applying for a company role, choose a company you genuinely believe in—one where you’d want equity or token incentives. If financially feasible, try to negotiate as much of your compensation as possible in tokens (provided you believe in the company). If the company succeeds, you might profit significantly.

Do you have a network in the crypto space? If not, you absolutely need to build one. Having friends in this field means you’ll hear early about which airdrops are worth joining, which tokens have upside potential, and have people to discuss investment strategies with. If you haven’t joined any crypto social platforms yet, what are you waiting for?

In summary, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But if you’re young, have enough savings to cover several years of living expenses, possess certain advantages and connections in this field, then I’d definitely encourage you to give it a try (provided that even if you lose everything, you can return to your old job or find a similar one).