When it comes to long-term crypto investing, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are often the default choices. But what if you're looking beyond these giants—into assets with strong fundamentals, real-world utility, and long-term growth potential over the next 3 to 5 years?
On June 22, prominent crypto influencer @Cobie posed a thought-provoking question on X:
“If you had to buy a liquid, non-speculative crypto asset 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. Traders, venture capitalists, and blockchain founders shared their top picks, revealing a diverse landscape of promising projects. From privacy coins to decentralized infrastructure and real-world asset (RWA) platforms, here’s a curated analysis of the most compelling long-term investments in crypto—according to those shaping the industry.
👉 Discover how top investors are positioning for the next bull cycle
The Shift from Hype to Fundamentals
As the market matures, speculative narratives are giving way to projects with sustainable revenue models, real adoption, and clear value capture mechanisms.
qw, founder of AllianceDAO, put it bluntly:
“The only correct answer is tokens with strong (future) revenue trading at reasonable multiples. Everything else will go to zero. The premium for anything beyond Bitcoin is over.”
This sentiment echoes across seasoned investors who now prioritize fundamentals over memes or short-term momentum.
Top Long-Term Picks by Industry Leaders
Jesse.base.eth (Head of Base) – Coinbase ($COIN)
While $COIN is an equity token rather than a native blockchain asset, its strategic position makes it a unique play on crypto’s future.
Jesse highlights two key strengths:
- A diversified and scalable product suite with market-leading brand recognition.
- One of the most execution-capable and visionary teams in the space.
As crypto regulation evolves and institutional adoption accelerates, Coinbase stands as a gateway—not just to digital assets, but to compliant financial innovation.
👉 See how leading investors assess regulated crypto exposure
Ansem – Worldcoin ($WLD)
With AI advancing at breakneck speed, Ansem sees Worldcoin ($WLD) as a hedge against centralized surveillance and identity monopolies controlled by entities like OpenAI.
His thesis:
- Post-AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), verifying human identity will be critical.
- $WLD offers a decentralized identity solution using biometric proof-of-personhood.
- If OpenAI leverages its vast user data, decentralized alternatives like Worldcoin could become essential.
In a world where digital impersonation becomes rampant, proving you’re human may be one of the most valuable utilities in Web3.
Auri – Starknet ($STRK)
For those who value decentralization and privacy, Starknet emerges as a compelling Layer 2 solution built on Ethereum.
Key advantages:
- Competes with Solana in throughput while maintaining Ethereum’s security.
- Offers advanced account abstraction (AA) for seamless user experience.
- Currently undervalued with a fully diluted valuation of ~$1B—far below Arbitrum or Optimism.
Auri outlines three potential success paths:
- Becoming a general-purpose L2.
- Serving as a Bitcoin L2 if settlement on Bitcoin becomes viable.
- Functioning as backend infrastructure for other chains.
Each scenario presents significant upside potential.
Mert (Helius Labs) – Jito ($JTO) & Zcash ($ZEC)
Jito ($JTO) is a liquid staking derivative (LSD) protocol on Solana. Mert’s reasoning is simple:
If you believe Solana will still exist in 3–5 years—which it will—then JTO is a no-brainer.
Jito captures a portion of Solana’s staking yield and aligns incentives across validators and users.
Meanwhile, Zcash ($ZEC) represents a resurgence of privacy. With upcoming technical upgrades under a new research lab structure, Zcash could reclaim relevance as regulatory scrutiny increases and demand for financial privacy grows.
Alex Svanevik (Nansen) – Diversified L1 Portfolio
Rather than betting on one chain, Svanevik advocates for a diversified portfolio of Layer 1 blockchains:
BNB, SUI, APT, TRX, AVAX, added to existing holdings of BTC, ETH, HYPE, and SOL.
All assets are staked, generating approximately 4.5% annual yield—a strategy that balances growth with passive income.
This approach hedges against single-chain failure while capturing upside across multiple ecosystems.
Fishy Catfish – Chainlink ($LINK)
Chainlink remains dominant in the oracle space—#1 in market share and security for over six years, even stronger than in 2021.
Why $LINK stands out:
- Powers real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and stablecoin ecosystems.
- Provides end-to-end solutions: data feeds, cross-chain interoperability (CCIP), and privacy layers.
- Already integrated with major TradFi players: SWIFT, DTCC, JPMorgan, ANZ, UBS.
Upcoming innovations:
- Automatic Compliance Engine (ACE): KYC/AML, investor verification.
- Cross-Chain Identity (CCID): Portable digital identity.
- Privacy Suite: DECO (zkTLS), private transactions via CCIP.
As traditional finance embraces blockchain, Chainlink is positioned to capture value not just from crypto—but from global finance itself.
Murad – $SPX: The Movement Coin
$SPX isn’t your typical meme coin. According to Murad, it’s a cultural movement—a digital refuge for Gen Z facing economic disenfranchisement.
Parallels drawn:
- $SPX to stocks ≈ BTC to gold.
- Represents financial rebellion against systemic inequality.
- Combines finance with spirituality and community purpose.
While high-risk, Murad sees $SPX as tapping into a much larger social narrative—one that could drive unprecedented grassroots adoption.
Awawat (APG Capital) – BNB, LEO, AAVE, MKR, XMR
For conservative long-term positioning:
- BNB & LEO: Limited upside but low downside; backed by exchange ecosystems.
- AAVE & MKR: Established DeFi protocols likely to persist.
- XMR (Monero): Privacy coin with enduring demand despite regulatory pressure.
He also notes that many altcoins will eventually go to zero—making selectivity crucial.
Vance Spencer (Framework Ventures) – $SKY
$SKY operates off centralized exchanges for now but has drawn attention for its unique design and long-term vision. Specifics are scarce, but Spencer’s endorsement suggests strong fundamentals beneath the surface.
Arthur (DeFiance Capital) – AAVE, ENA, PENDLE, JUP
A balanced mix of:
- AAVE: Leading lending protocol.
- ENA: Ethena’s synthetic dollar ecosystem.
- PENDLE: Yield-trading innovation.
- JUP: Aggregator in the Solana ecosystem.
This portfolio reflects confidence in both Ethereum and Solana’s long-term viability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why are so many experts avoiding pure meme coins?
A: While meme coins can generate short-term returns, they lack intrinsic value or revenue models. Over a 3–5 year horizon, fundamentals matter more than hype.
Q: Is investing in exchange stocks like $COIN safe in crypto portfolios?
A: $COIN offers regulated exposure to crypto growth with real earnings. However, it’s subject to stock market risks and regulatory shifts—not pure on-chain value.
Q: Can privacy coins like Zcash and Monero survive increasing regulation?
A: Yes—privacy is becoming more valuable as surveillance grows. These networks adapt through technical innovation and use cases in compliant frameworks.
Q: What makes Chainlink different from other oracle networks?
A: Chainlink leads in security, enterprise adoption, and product breadth. Its integration with TradFi institutions gives it a multi-year head start.
Q: Should I diversify across multiple L1s or focus on one?
A: Diversification reduces risk. The blockchain landscape is still evolving—holding multiple strong L1s increases chances of capturing breakout growth.
Q: How important is staking yield in long-term returns?
A: Staking enhances compounding returns. Even modest yields (~4–5%) can significantly boost total return over 3–5 years when reinvested.
Final Thoughts: Building for the Long Haul
The consensus among top minds in crypto is clear: the era of blind speculation is fading. The next cycle will reward builders, analysts, and investors who focus on sustainable value creation.
Whether it’s through infrastructure like Starknet and Chainlink, privacy with Zcash and Monero, or real-world integration via Worldcoin and RWA platforms—the future belongs to projects solving real problems.
👉 Start building your long-term portfolio with insights from top crypto investors