Still Not Rich from Crypto? CZ’s ‘Golden Rule’ Reveals Why You’re Missing Out

Why Most Crypto Investors Stay Poor—And CZ’s ‘Golden Rule’ That Can Change Everything"

Key Takeaways:

• "If You Can’t Hold, You Won’t Be Rich" – CZ, Ex-Binance Chief, reaffirms his famous mantra, pointing to historical bull cycles in crypto.
• The Four-Year Cycle Theory suggests 2025 is another bull run year, similar to 2021, when Bitcoin reached its all-time high.
• Despite market volatility, patience is key, as CZ believes those who hold through bear markets will emerge wealthy in the long run.
• Historical Data Shows Holding Wins: Investors who held Bitcoin through past cycles saw exponential gains, while panic sellers often missed out.

What’s Happening?

Changpeng Zhao, the former Binance CEO known as "CZ," has once again reminded crypto investors of his timeless principle: “If you can’t hold, you won’t be rich.” This phrase, originally posted by CZ in February 2021, became one of the most quoted maxims in crypto history.

Interestingly, that same year, Bitcoin peaked at $69,000 in November 2021, marking the top of the last major bull cycle. Now, exactly four years later, CZ is repeating his message, suggesting that history may be about to repeat itself.

The four-year cycle theory, which CZ and many analysts follow, states that Bitcoin and the crypto market experience boom-and-bust cycles every four years, primarily driven by Bitcoin halving events. This means that if 2021 was the last peak, 2025 is the next in line for another bull market.

So, is CZ right? And what does this mean for investors today?

Bitcoin (BTC) has experienced significant price fluctuations since its inception in 2009. Here's an overview of its price history:

• 2009-2010: Bitcoin was introduced in 2009 with a price of zero. The first recorded transaction occurred in 2010 when two pizzas were purchased for 10,000 BTC.investopedia.com
• 2011: Bitcoin's price rose from $1 in early 2011 to a peak of $29.60 in June, before declining to around $5 by year-end.investopedia.com
• 2013: Starting at $13, Bitcoin's price surged to over $1,000 by November 2013.investopedia.com
• 2017: Bitcoin's price increased from around $1,000 in January to nearly $20,000 in December.investopedia.com
• 2018-2020: The price fluctuated, reaching approximately $6,600 by December 2019.investopedia.com
• 2021: Bitcoin's price reached new highs, surpassing $60,000 in April.en.wikipedia.org
• 2024: Bitcoin reached an all-time high of over $100,000 in December 2024.en.wikipedia.org

As of February 11, 2025, Bitcoin is trading at approximately $98,052.

Bitcoin latest price:

The Four-Year Cycle and Its Impact on Crypto Markets

CZ’s emphasis on holding is deeply tied to the Bitcoin halving cycle, which has historically led to massive bull runs. Here’s how it works:

1. Bitcoin Halving Event: Occurs approximately every four years, reducing the BTC mining reward by half. The next halving is expected in April 2024.
2. Supply Shock: Less BTC being mined means reduced supply, which historically triggers a surge in price over the following year.
3. Bull Run: Roughly 12-18 months after halving, Bitcoin historically reaches a new all-time high.

If this pattern continues, Bitcoin’s peak in 2025 could be even higher than 2021’s $69,000. This is why CZ believes that long-term holding is the key to wealth in crypto.

📈 Real Data from Past Cycles:

• 2013 Bull Run: BTC surged from $12 to $1,150 after the 2012 halving.
• 2017 Bull Run: BTC soared from $650 to $20,000 after the 2016 halving.
• 2021 Bull Run: BTC exploded from $3,800 (COVID crash) to $69,000 after the 2020 halving.

The takeaway? Investors who panic sold in bear markets lost out on generational wealth.

A Case Study: Holders vs. Panic Sellers

A famous example from the 2017 bull market involved two types of Bitcoin investors:

🔴 Investor A: Bought 1 BTC at $20,000 in 2017, panicked during the 2018 crash, and sold at $6,000, losing 70% of their money.

🟢 Investor B: Bought 1 BTC at $20,000, ignored the noise, and held until 2021, selling at $69,000, making 245% profit.

This pattern repeated in 2022 when Bitcoin crashed to $16,000, only for it to climb back near $100,000 in 2025.

What It Means for Crypto Investors Now

With Bitcoin already hovering near $97,000 and Ethereum surpassing $2,700, we are in a crucial period leading up to the expected 2025 bull market peak.

• Short-Term: Expect volatility. Regulatory concerns, economic data, and macroeconomic factors may temporarily shake the market.
• Long-Term: If the four-year cycle repeats, BTC could hit new all-time highs within the next 12-18 months.
• For Investors: The data suggests that holding through volatility and accumulating during dips has historically produced the best returns.

Takeaways for Investors:

1. History Favors Holders: Past market cycles show that holding Bitcoin for at least 4+ years has resulted in significant wealth accumulation.
2. Short-Term Volatility Is Normal: Just like in 2017, 2021, and even now, dips will happen. Long-term conviction is key.
3. Macro Factors Matter: Keep an eye on interest rates, inflation data, and regulatory shifts that may impact the market.
4. Adopt a Strategic Investment Approach: Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is a proven strategy that reduces risk while benefiting from long-term trends.
5. Avoid Emotional Trading: Fear and greed are the biggest wealth killers. Those who panic sell in bear markets almost always lose.

Final Thoughts: Is CZ Right Again?

CZ's “If you can’t hold, you won’t be rich” principle has proven true in past bull cycles. If the four-year cycle theory holds, 2025 could be another record-breaking year for Bitcoin and the entire crypto market.

While no investment is without risk, history suggests that those who stay patient and ignore short-term noise are the ones who emerge wealthy in the end.

🚨 Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Always do your research before making any investment decisions.