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How Does Money Move Through the Crypto Market đđ°
Crypto: Pop Start Lineup

đ Hey, Mel here! Welcome to my newsletter. Every two weeks I dive deep into one story in the fintech world - covering banking, investments and crypto. This is the only newsletter that breaks it down for you in a fun, digestible and simple way. Just how it should be.
Lets get started!
Hey Fintech Queens & Kings đ,
Ever notice how Bitcoin pumps first, Ethereum follows, and then itâs all about some random dog-themed coin? đâš Itâs not randomâitâs the natural flow of money in crypto.
Think of Bitcoin as BeyoncĂ©, the queen leading the charge. Ethereum? Thatâs TayTayâbold, versatile, and driving innovation. Altcoins? Theyâre Destinyâs Childâstars in their own right, each with unique strengths that keep the market dynamic and exciting. And memecoins? Theyâre the viral TikTok trendsâfun, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore.
Every phase has its moment, and knowing the rhythm can help you ride the waves instead of wiping out.
Letâs make investing easy and break it down! đđ
1ïžâŁ The Bitcoin Phase: Queen B Takes the Throne đ

Bitcoin (BTC) is the OG of cryptoâthe first mover and the leader of the pack. Like our Queen B, THE iconâthe one everyone recognizes, respects, and wants to associate with. Sheâs been around the longest, paved the way, and consistently proved sheâs here to stay.
When fresh money enters the market, it almost always starts here. Why?
First mover advantage: Just like Beyoncé led the wave of modern R&B/pop divas, Bitcoin was the first crypto. It created the foundation for everything that followed.
Dominates the spotlight: When Beyoncé drops an album, the whole world stops. Similarly, when Bitcoin moves, the entire crypto market reacts.
Secure and unshakable: Both are household names that exude trust. You donât question BeyoncĂ©âs talent, just like you donât question Bitcoinâs role as digital gold. And neither do our institutional investors, whom this year reverenced our Queen.
đ What to watch for: When BeyoncĂ©âs at the top of the charts, sheâs in the spotlightâbut the fans also start looking around for whoâs up next. Enter Ethereum.
2ïžâŁ The Ethereum Phase: The Smart Contract Superstar đâš

Like Ethereum, TayTay does it all. Sheâs not just a singer; sheâs a songwriter, storyteller, record-breaking artist, and savvy businesswoman. Ethereum is the sameâbeyond being a cryptocurrency, itâs the foundation for decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, smart contracts, and much more.
Boldly innovative: Taylor revolutionized the music industry by re-recording her albums and reclaiming her masters. Similarly, Ethereumâs smart contracts reshaped how we think about decentralized applications, giving creators and users more control.
Universal appeal: Just as Taylor bridges genresâfrom country to pop to indieâEthereum appeals to diverse sectors, from tech startups to global finance.
đ What to watch for: Ethereum often lags behind Bitcoin during early rallies, just like Taylor lets others make their moves before dropping a record-breaking surprise. But when Ethereum takes center stage, it delivers in ways no one else can.
3ïžâŁ The Altcoin Phase: Diversify Your Bags đ

After Bitcoin and Ethereum have their moment in the spotlight, investors start looking for the ânext big thing.â Enter altcoinsâbasically, any coin that isnât BTC or ETH.
Youâve got stars like Solana (Kelly Rowland) and Cardano (Michelle Williams)âbrilliant in their own right, contributing their unique talents.
Bitcoin (Beyoncé) still gets the spotlight, but these supporting acts make the ecosystem richer and more exciting.
Occasionally, a standout performance (ahem, Solanaâs 2021 rally) grabs center stage, proving theyâre not just background players.
Risk vs. Reward: As money flows here, gains can be bigger, but so can the risks. Not all altcoins survive the market cycles, so do your research.
đ What to watch for: The rise of mid-cap altcoins often coincides with Bitcoin dominance droppingâmeaning people are diversifying their investments beyond BTC.
4ïžâŁ The Memecoin Phase: Let the Chaos Begin đ¶đ

Like TikTok dances or viral challenges, memecoins explode onto the scene, capturing massive attention before often fading into the background.
Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and their endless spin-offs tend to steal the spotlight. These coins are often driven by hype, social media, and, letâs be honest, pure speculation.
Driven by community: Memecoins thrive on memes, jokes, and internet culture, just as TikTok trends rely on creators and their followers to spread the word.
Unpredictable and chaotic: One day, itâs Dogecoin to the moon, and the next, itâs all about Pepe Coin. Memecoins, like TikTok trends, come out of nowhere and dominate the conversation.
Fun, but risky: Participating in a memecoin rally can be thrillingâjust like trying a TikTok challengeâbut go in knowing the risks (and the potential for crashes or cringes).
đ What to watch for: This phase is often the final leg of the cycleâwhen even the most speculative assets are booming, it could signal a market top is near.
Why Does This Matter? đ
Each phase represents a shift in investor sentiment and risk appetite. Understanding how money flows through Bitcoin â Ethereum â Altcoins â Memecoins can help you:
Strategize your investments: Know when to play it safe with BTC and ETH and when to explore altcoins.
Manage your risk: Memecoins might look fun, but theyâre not where you want to park your life savings.
Stay calm in volatility: Crypto markets are cyclical. The next big opportunity often starts brewing right after the previous cycle ends.
My Takeaway: đŹ Ready to Ride the Crypto Wave?
The key to thriving in the crypto market is staying informed, diversifying your investments, and being patient.
Remember, you donât have to chase every hypeâsometimes, the best move is sitting back and letting the phases unfold.
Patience is key đȘâš
And remember, crypto is not for the faint of heart.
XOXO,
Fintech Girl
Opinions: My Own, Memes: Web, I take no credit for their creation. Not Financial Advice
About: I am a business engineer, finance professional, and former banker with a tech mentality, with a deep passion for cryptocurrency and blockchain. My mission is to empower women and underrepresented communities with essential information to foster fintech education, spark money conversations and inspire investment journeys. In addition to my daily role at a fintech scale-up, I am an active member and speaker in the Fintech community.
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