When it comes to long-term crypto investments, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are often the default choices for many investors. But what if you're looking beyond these giants — and even excluding high-hype assets like Solana (SOL) or meme-driven tokens?
On June 22, prominent crypto influencer @Cobie posed a thought-provoking question on X:
"If you had to buy a liquid, non-speculative cryptocurrency for a 3–5 year horizon — and couldn't choose BTC, ETH, HYPE, SOL, or stablecoins — what would you pick? And why?"
The response was overwhelming. Top-tier KOLs, traders, venture capitalists, and ecosystem builders shared their strategic picks — revealing a diverse landscape of belief in infrastructure, privacy, real-world asset integration, and even cultural movements.
Let’s explore these expert-backed investment theses, analyze the underlying trends, and uncover high-conviction opportunities in the evolving digital asset space.
🔹 Coinbase ($COIN): The Institutional Gateway
Jesse Powell, head of Base, advocates for $COIN — not as a token per se, but as a proxy to the entire crypto economy.
Why $COIN?
- Diversified product suite: From trading and staking to institutional custody and Web3 developer tools.
- Market-leading brand: Trusted by millions globally, with strong regulatory navigation capabilities.
- Execution excellence: One of the most operationally sound teams in the industry.
As crypto adoption grows, Coinbase stands at the intersection of traditional finance and blockchain innovation — making it a foundational holding for long-term believers.
👉 Discover how leading investors gain exposure to crypto’s financial infrastructure.
🔹 Worldcoin ($WLD): Identity in the Age of AI
Ansem, a respected voice in the crypto trading community, backs $WLD as a hedge against centralized AI control.
The Thesis:
With AI giants like OpenAI amassing vast personal data, proving human identity becomes critical. Worldcoin’s biometric-based verification (via Orb) offers a decentralized solution.
In a post-Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) world:
- Governments may impose surveillance systems.
- Universal Basic Income (UBI) schemes could require verifiable personhood.
- Sybil-resistant applications will depend on proof-of-personhood.
$WLD isn’t just another token — it’s positioning itself as the digital ID layer for humanity.
🔹 Starknet ($STRK): Scaling Privacy & Autonomy
Auri, an active crypto trader, highlights Starknet as a dark horse with multiple paths to success.
Current Strengths:
- Built on Ethereum L2 with near-instant finality and low fees.
- Competitive throughput: Matches Solana-level TPS without sacrificing decentralization.
- Account Abstraction (AA) enables seamless user experiences (e.g., gasless transactions).
Three Potential Futures:
- General-purpose L2: A full-stack smart contract platform rivaling Arbitrum or Optimism.
- Bitcoin L2: If BTC settles Layer 2 transactions efficiently, Starknet could become its computational backbone.
- Infrastructure layer: Powering other chains’ backends via shared security and ZK-proofs.
With a fully diluted valuation around $1B — far below peers — $STRK offers asymmetric upside potential.
🔹 Jito ($JTO) & Zcash ($ZEC): Yield + Privacy Play
Mert, co-founder of Helius Labs, supports both $JTO** and **$ZEC — combining yield optimization with digital rights.
Jito ($JTO)
- Liquid staking derivative on Solana.
- Captures a significant share of Solana’s validator rewards.
- If SOL remains relevant over 3–5 years (a strong bet), $JTO holders benefit directly.
Zcash ($ZEC)
- Pioneer of zero-knowledge cryptography in public blockchains.
- Upcoming technical overhaul under a new research lab structure.
- Privacy demand is cyclical — and we may be entering a resurgence phase due to rising global surveillance.
Privacy isn’t dead — it’s evolving.
🔹 Chainlink ($LINK): Bridging TradFi and DeFi
Fishy Catfish makes a compelling case for Chainlink, emphasizing its dominance in real-world asset (RWA) integration.
Why Chainlink Dominates:
- Market leader for 6+ years in oracle services — more secure and widely adopted than ever.
Powers critical use cases:
- RWA tokenization (e.g., bonds, real estate)
- Stablecoin ecosystems
- Cross-chain interoperability
Upcoming Innovations:
- Automated Compliance Engine (ACE): KYC/AML checks, investor accreditation.
- Cross-Chain Identity (CCID): Portable identity across blockchains.
- Privacy Stack: Includes DECO (zkTLS), private CCIP transactions.
Partnerships with SWIFT, DTCC, JPMorgan, ANZ, and UBS underscore Chainlink’s role as the bridge between Wall Street and Web3.
As blockchain value capture declines, protocols like Chainlink capture more economic value through services — not speculation.
🔹 $SPX: The Cultural Meme with Purpose
Murad champions $SPX, calling it the first “Movement Coin” — a digital rebellion led by Gen Z.
What Is $SPX?
Inspired by GameStop ($GME), $SPX symbolizes resistance against financial disenfranchisement. It merges:
- Financial empowerment
- Cultural expression
- Community-driven action
Unlike typical meme coins, $SPX has a narrative rooted in social change — offering digital refuge for those losing jobs, purpose, or trust in institutions.
It’s not just about returns — it’s about resonance.
👉 See how next-gen investors are backing cultural shifts in finance.
🔹 Diversified L1 Portfolio Strategy
Alex Svanevik, founder of Nansen, takes a diversified approach: build a portfolio across Layer 1 blockchains.
Holdings Include:
- BNB (Binance Smart Chain)
- SUI (Mysten Labs)
- APT (Aptos)
- TRX (Tron)
- AVAX (Avalanche)
All assets are staked, generating ~4.5% annual yield — compounding returns over time.
This strategy reduces single-chain risk while capturing growth across ecosystems.
🔹 Other Notable Mentions
| Investor | Picks | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Awawat (APG Capital) | $BNB, $LEO, $AAVE, $MKR, $XMR | Focus on survival and minimal downside; XMR for privacy resilience |
| W3Q | $HOOD, $TSLA | Views Robinhood as financial infrastructure; Tesla as AI/robotics play |
| Vance Spencer (Framework Ventures) | $SKY | Early-stage project not yet listed on CEXs — high-risk, high-reward |
| Arthur (DeFiance Capital) | $AAVE, $ENA, $PENDLE, $JUP | Yield optimization, exchange tokens, and modular DeFi primitives |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can non-BTC/ETH assets deliver long-term value?
Yes. While BTC and ETH dominate market cap and security, newer protocols offer utility in areas like privacy, identity, cross-chain communication, and financial inclusion — all critical for mass adoption.
Q: Why do KOLs favor projects with real-world use cases?
Because long-term value comes from adoption. Tokens tied to actual revenue streams — such as Chainlink’s oracle fees or Jito’s staking yield — have clearer paths to sustainability than purely speculative assets.
Q: Is privacy still relevant in crypto?
Absolutely. As governments increase surveillance and data harvesting grows, privacy-preserving technologies like Zcash and Monero remain essential. Regulatory pressure may slow adoption short-term but increases long-term demand.
Q: Should I invest in meme coins like $SPX?
Only if you understand the cultural context and community strength. Most meme coins fail. However, those tied to genuine movements — like GME or $SPX — can create outsized impact despite volatility.
Q: How important is diversification in crypto?
Crucial. The space is highly volatile and unpredictable. Holding a mix of infrastructure plays (e.g., L1s), service providers (e.g., Chainlink), and emerging narratives reduces risk while maintaining upside exposure.
Final Thoughts: Beyond Hype, Toward Conviction
The consensus among top KOLs is clear: the next wave of value won’t come from speculation alone, but from solving real problems — identity in an AI age, financial access for the underserved, privacy preservation, and cross-chain interoperability.
Core keywords driving this narrative include:
long-term crypto investment, Layer 1 blockchain, privacy coins, real-world assets (RWA), decentralized identity, yield optimization, crypto KOL insights, and Web3 infrastructure.
Whether you lean toward established players like $LINK or experimental movements like $SPX, focus on projects with:
- Strong fundamentals
- Active development
- Clear utility
- Growing ecosystems