Hype vs fundamentals: Where investors go wrong?
Many first-time investors are drawn to meme tokens and hype-driven coins because of their low entry prices and potential for quick gains. Yet, these often resemble penny stocks — offering sharp bursts of returns but collapsing once enthusiasm fades.“Such investments typically ignore utility or long-term viability, leading to steep losses when the excitement cools,” said Edul Patel, CEO and Co-Founder of Mudrex.
He advised that sustainable portfolios are better built around assets with established use cases like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP.
Sumit Gupta, Co-Founder of CoinDCX, agreed, noting that “fundamentals-based investing helps investors ride out volatility and compound wealth steadily over time.”
For Balaji Srihari, Vice President at CoinSwitch, hype-driven investing is not inherently negative but demands a specific mindset.
“Think of it as venture capital — funding early-stage innovation can bring outsized rewards, but it requires an acceptance of high risk. For most investors, a balanced mix with mature cryptos ensures stability without missing growth opportunities,” he said.
Timing the market: A persistent trap
Crypto’s 24/7 nature tempts many to chase perfect entry and exit points, but experts agree this strategy rarely succeeds.
“Long-term participation allows investors to withstand volatility and build conviction, whereas reactive trading usually erodes returns,” Patel observed.
Gupta highlighted a generational shift among Indian crypto investors.
ALSO READ | Institutional investors drive crypto market growth, Ether holdings surge 126%“Earlier, the market was dominated by young, FOMO-driven traders. Today, the average investor is 31, with an equities background, bringing data-driven discipline to their approach.” he said.
Srihari stressed the importance of perspective. It’s nearly impossible to consistently time lows and highs. A systematic, long-term view offers far more reliable outcomes than short-term speculation.
Mistakes during market highs
The allure of rising prices often triggers classic mistakes — overexposure to a single token, neglecting diversification, and delaying profit booking.
Patel pointed to the role of social media and peer pressure in amplifying risky behaviour. Gupta warned that many newcomers “commit large sums during rallies without understanding fundamentals,” a trend his firm is countering through investor education.
Srihari cautioned against excessive leverage and reactive trading: “Constant price-checking leads to impulsive moves. Security is another neglected area — investors must prioritise compliant and trusted exchanges to avoid losses from breaches.”
SIPs in crypto: A growing trend
Systematic investment plans (SIPs) are gaining traction as a way to navigate volatility in digital assets. While the concept mirrors traditional SIPs, the execution differs.
Srihari said beyond potential returns, crypto SIPs offer structural advantages like transparency and decentralisation. “But education remains critical — unlike mutual funds, crypto lacks decades of awareness and regulatory guidance, making informed decision-making essential.”
Portfolio allocation: How much is enough?
When it comes to exposure, the consensus is caution.
“For most retail investors, 1-5% of the portfolio is a prudent start,” said Patel. Gupta recommended starting small, particularly with blue-chip tokens, before diversifying. Srihari suggested up to 5% depending on risk appetite, ideally built systematically to smooth out price swings.
ALSO READ | Global crypto capitalisation nears India’s GDP, Bitcoin at 10% of gold market size
