When it comes to long-term crypto investing, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are often seen as the default blue-chip assets. But what if you're looking beyond these giants for high-potential opportunities in 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 hold—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—ranging from infrastructure projects to privacy coins and real-world asset (RWA) platforms. We’ve compiled and analyzed the most compelling insights from industry leaders to help you navigate the evolving crypto landscape.
Key Themes in Long-Term Crypto Investing
Before diving into specific assets, it’s important to understand the underlying investment philosophies emerging from these expert opinions:
- Focus on utility and revenue generation
- Demand for privacy and identity solutions
- Growth of Layer 2 and interoperability protocols
- Real-world asset tokenization as a major trend
- Diversified exposure across Layer 1 ecosystems
Core keywords shaping this outlook include: long-term crypto investments, Layer 1 blockchain, real-world assets (RWA), privacy coins, decentralized infrastructure, crypto revenue-generating tokens, account abstraction, and tokenized identity.
Let’s explore the top picks backed by influential voices in the space.
Coinbase ($COIN) – A Bridge Between TradFi and Crypto
Jesse Powell, former CEO of Coinbase and key figure behind Base, advocates for $COIN not as a token but as a publicly traded company stock with deep crypto integration.
Why it stands out:
- Diverse product suite including exchange, wallet, L2 (Base), and institutional services
- Market-leading brand with strong regulatory positioning
- Proven execution team with a vision aligned with on-chain growth
While not a native crypto asset, $COIN offers indirect exposure to the entire ecosystem’s expansion—especially as Base continues to gain traction among developers and users.
👉 Discover how leading crypto platforms are shaping the future of finance.
Worldcoin ($WLD) – Betting on Digital Identity in the AI Era
Ansem, a well-known crypto trader, backs Worldcoin ($WLD) as a hedge against centralized AI dominance and surveillance states.
His reasoning:
- As artificial general intelligence (AGI) advances, verifying human identity becomes critical
- WLD’s biometric-based proof-of-personhood could become foundational for decentralized identity
- OpenAI’s involvement introduces both risk and opportunity—positioning WLD at the intersection of AI ethics and digital rights
With global debates around AI regulation heating up, $WLD may evolve from speculative project to essential infrastructure.
Starknet ($STRK) – Privacy-Focused Ethereum Scaling
Auri, an experienced crypto trader, highlights Starknet ($STRK) for its technical edge and long-term scalability potential.
Key advantages:
- High throughput comparable to Solana, built on secure Ethereum L2 architecture
- Advanced account abstraction (AA) enabling smarter wallets and better UX
- Fully diluted valuation (~$1B at time of writing) remains low compared to peers like Arbitrum or Optimism
Starknet’s three potential success paths:
- Becoming a general-purpose L2 for Ethereum
- Serving as a Bitcoin L2 if settlement layers mature
- Functioning as backend infrastructure for other chains
This flexibility makes $STRK a resilient bet in an uncertain market.
Jito ($JTO) & Zcash ($ZEC) – Yield Efficiency Meets Privacy Revival
Mert, co-founder of Helius Labs, names two distinct assets:
Jito ($JTO)
For those who believe Solana will remain relevant over the next 3–5 years, $JTO is a no-brainer. It captures liquid staking yield on Solana and powers one of the most efficient restaking protocols in the ecosystem.
Zcash ($ZEC)
Privacy has taken a backseat in recent cycles—but Mert believes it’s due for a comeback. With Zcash transitioning under a new research-driven foundation and upgrading its protocol design, technical innovation is reigniting interest in private transactions.
Chainlink ($LINK) – The Invisible Backbone of On-Chain Finance
Fishy Catfish, a respected crypto analyst, champions Chainlink ($LINK) as the most durable middleware in web3.
Why Chainlink leads:
- Dominates oracle market share with unmatched security track record
- Powers RWA tokenization and stablecoin ecosystems with real-time data feeds
- Developing Automatic Compliance Engine (ACE) for KYC/AML checks
- Building Cross-Chain Identity (CCID) system for seamless identity portability
- Offers privacy tools via DECO (zkTLS), CCIP private transactions, and blockchain privacy manager
Major institutions like SWIFT, DTCC, JPMorgan, ANZ, and UBS already use Chainlink solutions—giving it a multi-year head start in traditional finance adoption.
Moreover, Chainlink is shifting value capture from base chains to applications. For example, MEV from oracle-triggered liquidations now benefits both Chainlink and protocols like Aave—not just validators.
👉 Learn how institutional adoption is accelerating across blockchain networks.
$SPX – The Cultural Meme with Real Mission
Murad, another influential voice, goes off the beaten path with $SPX, calling it the first “Movement Coin.”
What sets $SPX apart:
- Inspired by GameStop (GME) saga—symbolizing resistance against financial inequality
- Represents cultural pushback by Gen Z against systemic economic challenges
- Blends finance with community ethos and digital belonging
- Targets a massive emotional and psychological need: meaning in a decentralized world
While often dismissed as meme-driven, Murad argues $SPX taps into deeper societal shifts—making it more than just speculation.
Diversified Layer 1 Portfolio Approach
Alex Svanevik, founder of Nansen, takes a balanced route: building a diversified basket of Layer 1 blockchains.
His portfolio includes:
- BNB Chain
- Sui (SUI)
- Aptos (APT)
- TRON (TRX)
- Avalanche (AVAX)
Combined with BTC, ETH, HYPE, SOL, this creates a 9-chain mix covering performance leaders and emerging contenders. He stakes all holdings, generating ~4.5% annual yield—a smart way to compound exposure over time.
Other Notable Mentions
- Awawat (APG Capital): Prefers $BNB, $LEO, $AAVE, $MKR, and $XMR—focusing on established projects with staying power.
- Arthur (DeFiance Capital): Backs $AAVE (lending), $ENA (Ethereum L2), $PENDLE (yield trading), and $JUP (Solana DEX aggregator).
- Vance Spencer (Framework Ventures): Bets on $SKY—a lesser-known asset not yet listed on major exchanges.
- W3Q: Leans toward traditional equities like $HOOD (Robinhood) and $TSLA (Tesla), citing broader tech trends over pure crypto plays.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why are so many experts avoiding pure meme coins?
A: Over a 3–5 year horizon, sustainability matters. Most meme coins lack utility or revenue models. Experts favor projects with clear use cases, growing ecosystems, or institutional traction.
Q: Is privacy really coming back in crypto?
A: Yes—especially with rising government surveillance and AI tracking. Projects like Zcash and Monero are regaining attention as users demand control over their digital footprints.
Q: Can real-world asset (RWA) tokenization scale?
A: Absolutely. With companies like Chainlink enabling compliant data flows and identity verification, RWAs are poised to bring trillions in off-chain value on-chain.
Q: Should I invest in stocks like $HOOD instead of crypto tokens?
A: Some experts do—but hybrid strategies work best. Stocks offer regulatory clarity; crypto offers higher upside. Consider allocating based on risk tolerance.
Q: What role does yield play in long-term holdings?
A: Critical. Staking or liquidity provision turns passive holdings into income-generating assets—compounding returns over time.
Q: How important is decentralization in long-term bets?
A: Very. Centralized platforms face regulatory risks. Decentralized protocols with strong communities tend to survive market cycles better.
Final Thoughts: Think Beyond Hype Cycles
The consensus among top thinkers isn’t about chasing quick gains—it’s about identifying infrastructure that will underpin the next phase of web3.
Whether it’s identity with $WLD, interoperability with $STRK, real-world assets via $LINK, or cultural momentum behind $SPX—the future belongs to assets solving real problems.
👉 Start exploring high-potential blockchain projects with powerful fundamentals today.
As the market matures, focus shifts from speculation to sustainable value creation. Now is the time to build a portfolio that reflects not just where crypto has been—but where it’s going.