How To Trade Crypto Cycles with Flood
How To Trade Crypto Cycles with Flood
65 days ago1000xBlockworks
Podcast59 min 32 sec
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

Accumulate Bitcoin (BTC) during current periods of market disinterest or price stagnation, targeting a 6 to 12-month growth horizon as it transitions into a safe-haven asset. Maintain a cash reserve to buy aggressive 20-30% "flush outs" in high-conviction assets, as these liquidations historically offer the best entry points for long-term gains. Consider Hyperliquid (HYPE) as a "Kingmaker" trade to capture the shift toward decentralized perpetual futures, a sector expected to outperform traditional options. Monitor Robinhood (HOOD) as a primary play for retail trading growth, especially as it expands its "super app" capabilities into crypto and advanced trading products. Prioritize investments in functional Applications and AI over speculative "Altcoin" chains, focusing on platforms with clear revenue and product-market fit.

Detailed Analysis

Bitcoin (BTC)

• The asset is currently transitioning from a "hyper-volatile 3x levered Nasdaq" proxy to a safe-haven asset or counter-cyclical hedge, similar to gold. • Adoption Trends: Continued growth is noted in third-world countries as a tool to opt out of failing monetary systems. • Institutional View: A shift is expected where asset managers use BTC for counter-cyclical positioning, though this transition will take time. • Nation-State Game Theory: A major "long-tail" upside trigger would be nation-states (like the US or European countries) choosing to hoard seized Bitcoin or hold it as a reserve asset (5% of reserves) rather than selling it immediately. • Risk Factors: - Quantum Computing: Mentioned as a potential idiosyncratic risk that is currently difficult to price. - Monetary Policy: Bitcoin remains highly sensitive to interest rates and global liquidity (USD debasement).

Takeaways

Re-underwrite the Thesis: Periods of price stagnation or "disinterest" are the best times to average into positions if the long-term thesis remains unchanged. • Capital Preservation: The most significant returns in crypto often come from having cash available to buy during 20-30% "flush outs" when other participants are liquidated. • Time Horizon: Sentiment is currently low (disillusionment), which historically signals a bullish entry point on a 6 to 12-month horizon.


Hyperliquid (HYPE)

• Identified as a standout performer in the Perpetual Swap (Perps) space, successfully separating itself from competitors. • Revenue Potential: The global perps market generates $10B–$30B in annual fees; Hyperliquid is positioned to capture a high single-digit percentage of this. • Market Dynamics: The "buyback machine" and the removal of motivated sellers (airdrop recipients) create a supply-sink that can lead to significant price appreciation.

Takeaways

Product-Market Fit: Hyperliquid is viewed as a "Kingmaker" trade due to its growth and the organic demand for decentralized perpetual trading. • Valuation Gap: There is a perceived mispricing between the revenue the platform generates and its current market valuation.


Robinhood (HOOD)

• A key play for capturing the "average everyday American retail" investor. • Strategic Value: Robinhood owns the customer relationship and can easily pivot to offer perps, sports betting, or advanced crypto products to a massive user base. • Market Share: Currently holds ~7.5% of US equities option volume, showing strong retail penetration.

Takeaways

Entry Point: The stock was noted as having been "nuked" recently, potentially offering a favorable entry for those bullish on retail trading growth. • The "Super App" Thesis: Robinhood is well-positioned to become an aggregated trading experience where users don't care about the underlying backend (blockchain or exchange).


Investment Themes & Sectors

Perpetual Futures (Perps) vs. Options

The Thesis: Perps will likely dominate options volume over the next decade because they are simpler (linear payoff), more liquid (no fragmented strikes), and more "fair" for retail. • Regulatory Catalyst: The CFTC clearing a path for US perpetual futures is a major upcoming milestone that could bring massive retail volume to the sector.

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Sentiment: Bullish. The potential upside for AI is viewed as "infinite," making it a mathematically sound bet from an expected value perspective. • Market Comparison: Unlike crypto, AI is currently "socially acceptable" and attracting the most aggressive futurist capital.

Stablecoins

Inevitability: Stablecoin adoption is viewed as an absolute certainty due to the inefficiencies of the traditional banking system (T+1 settlement, wire transfer hurdles). • Infrastructure: The "soup" of centralized and decentralized products blending together will be the primary area where value accrues.

Altcoins (General)

Sentiment: Bearish/Neutral. Most altcoins are viewed as "zombie companies" or "scams" that have failed to deliver on their promises. • Trading Strategy: Shorting alts is risky due to "volatility death" and sudden squeezes. The better strategy is to simply ignore them and focus on "Kingmakers" (BTC, HYPE, etc.).


Actionable Insights for the General Public

Focus on "Applications" over "Chains": In the future, users won't care if they are using Solana or Ethereum; they will care about the App (like Robinhood or Fullstack) that provides the best experience. • Study for the "Pop Quiz": Crypto markets often crash 20% on random days. Investors should have a plan (and cash) ready in advance to buy specific assets they have researched deeply. • Bifurcate Capital: Separate your money into three buckets: 1. Long-term buy and hold. 2. Active trading capital. 3. Living expenses. Never commingle these to avoid making emotional decisions under duress.Look for Disinterest: When crypto feels "cringe" or "boring" and people are moving to other sectors (like AI), it is often the most profitable time to build a position in high-quality assets.

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Episode Description
This week, Flood joins the show to break down the current state of the market. We deep dive into what it takes to make it as a trader, whether alpha still exists in crypto, the opportunity for perps, Flood's highest conviction trades for 2026 & more. Enjoy! -- Go follow the new 1000x feed to keep up to date with all new episodes! Spotify: https://bit.ly/4676Sob Apple: https://bit.ly/4etlBMd -- Follow Flood: https://x.com/ThinkingUSD Follow Jonah: https://x.com/jvb_xyz Follow 1000x: https://x.com/1000xPod Join the 1000x Telegram: https://t.me/+fz-2f0cwC6o0MWNh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:50) Trading BTC In 2014 vs Today (09:20) Where To Allocate In Crypto? (16:15) How To Structure A Portfolio (23:06) Becoming a Trader & Finding Opportunities (29:46) The Opportunity For Perps (41:35) Are Altcoins Still a Short? (45:30) How To Find Edge As a Trader (52:07) Trades For 2026 -- Disclaimer: Nothing said on 1000x is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Avi, Jonah and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed
About 1000x
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By Blockworks

1000x is a crypto markets podcast hosted by professional traders Avi Felman and Jonah Van Bourg. We bring on experts to dive deep into the macro and micro factors that represent the lifeblood of digital money and web3. As an increasing share of economic activity and attention migrates online, tokenomics and price action is increasingly relevant to everyone. If you’re interested in the future of markets and crypto, this show is for you.