I had to wait 3 years to profit after my first big investment in crypto in 2021

In 2021, I had just completed my degree and sold my small business. I split my savings evenly between cryptocurrency and index funds. A year later, I sold the index funds to free up cash. I had bought crypto at its peak and watched it plunge, losing 68% of my total investment in the first year. It was tough, but I held on.

Between November 2021 and November 2022, my crypto portfolio took a huge hit. On average, I lost about 68% of my investments. Some coins, like Enjin, Dot, and COMP, lost more than three-quarters of their value. The best "performer" was XRP, but even that dropped by almost half.

It was a brutal year, but looking back, it shows just how quickly the market can change and how a portfolio can be reshaped without you buying or selling a thing.