The crypto market moves in cycles, often driven by hype, speculation, and larger-than-life narratives. Over the past three months, we’ve witnessed a brutal predatorial slaughter—a cycle where the strongest survive, and the weak become nothing more than exit liquidity. The so-called “Trump Pump” was merely bait, luring in prey before the inevitable Trump Dump.
The Hunt: Political Hype as a Trap
At the peak of the cycle, a swarm of speculative traders, driven by greed and blind conviction, chased politically themed meme coins, NFTs, and Trump-linked blockchain projects. They thought they were the predators, but in reality, they were the prey.
The real apex predators—the smart money, whales, and early adopters—were already positioned, waiting for fresh blood to enter the game. They fed the narrative, amplified the hype, and watched as the herd rushed in, oblivious to the impending slaughter.
The Top Signals: When Prey Feeds Itself to the Beasts
Recognizing top signals is the difference between surviving and being hunted. The following were clear signs that the herd was about to be culled:
- Presidents Launching Memes – When world leaders engage in crypto shilling, it’s not validation; it’s the moment the predators know the cycle is reaching its peak.
- Ridiculous Valuations – Politically themed meme coins hitting absurd billion-dollar caps were a neon sign flashing “EXIT NOW.”
- Retail Frenzy and Celebrity Endorsements – When celebrities and influencers suddenly become “crypto experts,” it’s a signal that the seasoned hunters are preparing to dump.
- PnL Screenshots Everywhere – When people start bragging about their unrealized gains, it’s time for the apex predators to feast.
The Slaughter: Gravity Always Wins
As expected, once the bait was taken, the trap was sprung. Liquidity dried up, smart money took profits, and the influencers who had been hyping the pump suddenly went silent. The Trump Pump turned into the Trump Dump, leaving retail traders bleeding out in the aftermath.
This follows the natural order of the predatorial crypto jungle:
- The apex predators craft the narrative.
- The herd FOMOs in, driven by greed.
- The hunters execute, selling into the liquidity rush.
- The inevitable crash leaves the weak exposed and helpless.
Reflections on My Own Hunt: Round-Tripping and Survival
Looking back, I recognize that even I wasn’t immune to the hunt. At times, I played the game well, but in other moments, I fell into the same round-tripping trap, watching gains evaporate. Why? Because in this game, even seasoned hunters can get caught slipping.
Will I stay in the game? Without a doubt. But is this the only battlefield I fight on nowadays? No. And maybe that’s part of the issue—perhaps my divided focus led to hesitation, and in this jungle, hesitation is death.
But despite the slaughter, I still look toward a bright future. Opportunities are always lurking. The key is to sharpen your instincts, recognize when you’re being hunted, and become the apex predator yourself.
Lessons Moving Forward
The last three months have reinforced the fundamental laws of survival:
- Hype is not a strategy – Narratives are the bait; fundamentals are the kill shot.
- Top signals exist for a reason – When the entire market is euphoric, the slaughter is imminent.
- Conviction can’t be borrowed – Blindly following others means becoming prey.
- Bitcoin remains king – While others bleed, Bitcoin continues to dominate the long game.
If history is any guide, this will not be the last predatorial slaughter in the crypto markets. The key is to spot the bait early, trim positions when things seem too good to be true, and operate with the ruthless mindset of a true predator. The market doesn’t reward the weak—it devours them.
The next time you see a politician shilling a meme coin, ask yourself: are you the hunter, or are you the prey?
