Cryptocurrency has made it through its teenage years. There was the initial hype of the blockchain revolution, followed by a series of existential crises involving price crashes, bubble talk and frequent declarations of “this whole crypto thing” being over. And yet here we are and people are still talking about Bitcoin as an investment, Ethereum is still going, and new coins are popping up like they’re the latest fashion trend. 

So if you’re sitting there thinking about dipping your toe into this messy, volatile pool what do you need to know to make some money?

Well, if you’ve spent any time at all watching this strange financial landscape you’ll know by now that it’s not a place where you can just put your money in and sit back and wait for it to grow. It’s a bit more chaotic than that – yet still full of opportunity if you know what you’re doing (and crucially what not to do).

The Market: A Mix of Stability and Chaos

Right now, in February 2025, we find ourselves at an odd moment. Bitcoin, the granddaddy of the crypto world is at $99,326 – a long way from the heady days of a few years ago but still a decent amount to feel smug about. Meanwhile, Ethereum is at $2,776.62 – a little ahead of the curve in terms of technology even if it’s no longer the shiny new thing it once was.

The problem, as ever, is the market’s volatility. You can check the bitcoin price today and by tomorrow it could be down 10% or up 20%. It’s a ride to put it mildly, one that’s both exciting and terrifying. Cryptocurrency despite all the talk of revolution is still a market that operates by a set of rules no one really understands. Some think it’s driven by speculation, others by something deeper – blockchain tech, smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi) you name it. But if we’re honest it often feels like a big guessing game where you hope to get in before the price goes up and you’re out before it crashes back down.

So what does that mean for you making money in crypto in 2025? Simply – you’re going to lose some. First rule. If you think you can just waltz in, hold a coin for a year and watch it double or triple – you’ll be disappointed.

The Investment Landscape: It’s Not Just Bitcoin Anymore

It’s easy to fall for the Bitcoin narrative. After all, it’s the one everyone’s heard of. And yes, those who got in early made a fortune—some of them are probably still laughing as they sip their cocktails on private yachts somewhere. 

Bitcoin isn’t the only option anymore and it hasn’t been for some time. Ethereum in particular continues to deliver solid returns for those who understand the smart contract game. But even Ethereum’s good times may be numbered as newer platforms like Solana, Avalanche and Polkadot are presenting themselves as faster, cheaper and more scalable.

And then there’s the NFT craze which may or may not be permanent in the crypto landscape. We all remember the first digital artworks sold for millions but the question is whether there’s any lasting value in owning a unique GIF or piece of art that’s just a string of code on the blockchain. But for those who rode the wave it’s been profitable—if not entirely clear what the long term value proposition is.

So if you want to make money then the first lesson is to look beyond Bitcoin and explore a range of assets. Diversification which applies to any investment portfolio applies here. But remember newer coins come with higher risk. They could moon, sure, but they could also crash into obscurity in a hurry.

How to Approach Crypto: The Patient Way

To make money in crypto in 2025, you’re going to need patience—and not just the kind that makes you wait for a coin to go up in value. Patience here means understanding that crypto is so much more than just a speculative bubble. It’s a new way of thinking about finance that isn’t controlled by the usual centralised institutions. 

But as with all new systems it needs time to prove itself. The “long-term hold” (or HODL, for those who want to sound like they belong) strategy is still a valid approach. We all hear about all the quick bucks people have made by trading crypto on a whim but don’t forget that many of those people have also lost a fair bit of money too. Yes, some—like 50 Cent who accepted Bitcoin for an album and later found himself sitting on millions—have gotten lucky. But luck is not a strategy.

Instead, approach cryptocurrency like any other volatile asset. A ten-year plan is not out of the question though your investment may not look the same at the end of that decade as it does now. That’s the nature of the beast: unpredictable, full of promise and more than a little reckless.