In the fast-paced world of crypto, where fortunes can flip faster than a memecoin pump, a fresh perspective is shaking things up. Ryan Watkins, co-founder of Syncracy Capital and a former Messari alum, recently dropped some wisdom on X that hits hard for anyone knee-deep in meme tokens or perpetual futures trading.

He points out that last cycle, the real winners were those playing the short game while everyone else chased the mythical "supercycle." But now? The tables have turned. The best opportunities in crypto demand patience—longer horizons that most folks aren't willing to stomach, thanks to a combo of short-sightedness and battle scars from past crashes.

Watkins nails it when he says the industry hasn't fully grasped how memecoins and perp trading have "giga-fried" our brains. Memecoins, those viral, often absurd tokens like Dogecoin or newer Solana sensations, thrive on hype and quick flips. They're fun, sure, but they train us to chase dopamine hits from overnight gains. Perp trading—those leveraged perpetual contracts on exchanges like Binance or Bybit—amps up the adrenaline, turning investing into a high-stakes casino where positions can liquidate in seconds.

The result? A market full of traders with attention spans shorter than a TikTok video, overlooking gems that need time to shine. Watkins clarifies this isn't a supercycle hype call. It's a nudge to shift from trader mode to investor mode. Think like Warren Buffett in a sea of day traders.

He even draws parallels to traditional equities, citing a research paper that shows "long-termism pays" because most investors can't stick it out. They misprice companies with distant payoffs, creating opportunities for patient capital to swoop in.

For meme token enthusiasts, this is a wake-up call. While pumping the latest cat-themed coin might feel thrilling, it's often the projects building real utility—like decentralized apps or community-driven ecosystems—that deliver outsized returns over time. Take Pepe or Shiba Inu; early holders who HODLed through the noise reaped rewards, but many got burned chasing the next big thing.

So, how do you apply this? Start by zooming out. Evaluate meme tokens not just on viral potential but on community strength, tokenomics, and long-term vision. Diversify beyond perps into spot holdings or staking. And remember, in crypto's wild west, PTSD from 2022's bear market is real—don't let it blind you to the marathon ahead.

As we navigate this evolving landscape, embracing a longer view could be the edge that sets you apart. After all, in a world obsessed with instant gratification, patience might just be the ultimate meme.