Think of crypto markets like bamboo growth—five years is the full cycle.

The first four years? Nearly invisible. You're building roots underground while others chase quick wins. But here's the reality: 80% of the expansion happens in year five.

That's when everything clicks. Bull runs materialize. Positions that looked dead start printing. New narratives emerge. The infrastructure you ignored? Now everyone's using it.

The trap is quitting early. Most people do. They see flat growth through years one through four and assume failure. They panic sell at the bottom. They move to the next shiny thing.

But the real money isn't in spotting the cycle—it's in staying put through the boring preparation phase. Those early years build conviction. They test your thesis. They teach you patience when the charts look dead.

Keep stacking. Keep holding. The best year always comes after the longest wait.