In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, spotting the next big opportunity can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But according to Luke Youngblood, a seasoned builder in the space with experience at Coinbase and AWS, and currently working on Moonwell DeFi and Mamo Agent, the path to fortunes this cycle isn't through flashy alternative Layer 1 blockchains (alt-L1s). Instead, it's all about apps that deliver real yield—sustainable revenue from actual user fees—built on efficient platforms like HyperEVM and the Base network from Coinbase.

Youngblood shared these thoughts in a detailed tweet on August 17, 2025, emphasizing asymmetric bets on under-the-radar projects. Check out the original tweet here for the full context, complete with an inspiring AI-generated video symbolizing the journey ahead.

Why Alt-L1s Might Not Be the Winners

Alt-L1s refer to alternative Layer 1 blockchains competing with Ethereum, like Solana or Avalanche. While they've grabbed headlines with promises of faster transactions and lower fees, Youngblood believes the real value creation will come from applications, not the underlying infrastructure. He points out that hype often drives short-term pumps, but long-term success stems from projects generating tangible revenue.

Hunting for High-Potential Bets

Youngblood advises scanning for tokens with a fully diluted valuation (FDV)—that's the potential market cap if all tokens were in circulation—under $1 billion, but already raking in real fees. A prime example he gives is $AERO, the token behind Aerodrome Finance, a decentralized exchange (DEX) on Base. He predicts it could skyrocket to a $100 billion valuation as centralized exchange (CEX) volume inevitably shifts onchain.

To put it simply, think of this as betting on apps that solve real problems and earn money doing it, rather than speculative chains.

Betting on Inevitable Web3 Trends

Drawing from historical tech shifts, Youngblood compares the rise of onchain finance to the internet boom. Just as web1 and web2 brought every company online, web3 will move all finance to blockchain—decentralized, transparent, and accessible. Centralized exchanges like those run by Binance or Coinbase will gradually lose ground to onchain alternatives over the next 5-10 years.

His tips for capitalizing:

• Ignore skeptics (he calls them "boomers" running CEXs) and focus on the trend.
• Seek apps capturing real yield, such as those in creator content (e.g., Zora and Virtuals.io) or fee-generating protocols (e.g., Aerodrome Finance, Moonwell DeFi, Mamo Agent, Definitive Fi, and BMX DeFi).
• Buy at low market caps (MC).
• Hold for a few years.

This strategy, he says, is akin to investing $100 in Microsoft in the 1980s, which would make you a billionaire today.

Lessons from a Tech Visionary's Past

Youngblood backs his advice with personal anecdotes that highlight his knack for spotting tech revolutions early:

• As a kid in the 1980s, he predicted every home would have a PC—met with skepticism.
• In the 1990s, he foresaw universal internet access via university accounts and mobile phones, even hacking free calls on Verizon.
• In 2007, with the first iPhone, he declared the end of Blackberry and the app revolution.

Now, he's calling it: Centralized finance (CeFi) will fully transition to web3. Wall Street is already catching on, and even leaders at Binance and Coinbase might not see it coming yet. He nods to Jesse Pollak, likely referring to Base's head, for being spot-on.

Wrapping Up: We're Still Early

Youngblood's message is clear—we're in the early innings of onchain dominance. By focusing on real yield apps on Base, investors can position themselves for outsized returns. Whether you're a DeFi newbie or a blockchain practitioner, this tweet serves as a reminder to look beyond the noise and bet on fundamentals.

If you're into meme tokens, note how platforms like Base could host yield-bearing memes in the future, blending fun with finance. Stay tuned to Meme Insider for more insights on emerging trends in the crypto space.