When it comes to long-term crypto investing, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are often the default choices. But what if you were challenged to look beyond these giants — and even exclude high-profile assets like Solana (SOL), stablecoins, or hype-driven tokens?
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, SOL, stablecoins, or HYPE — what would you pick? And why?”
The responses poured in from traders, VCs, and founders — revealing a diverse range of strategic thinking, from revenue-generating tokens to privacy infrastructure and real-world asset (RWA) enablers. Here’s a curated breakdown of the top picks backed by industry insiders, along with the reasoning behind each.
🔹 Coinbase ($COIN) – A Bridge Between TradFi and Crypto
Jesse Powell, head of Base, advocates for $COIN, the publicly traded stock of Coinbase — not a crypto token, but a regulated financial instrument deeply embedded in the digital asset ecosystem.
Why $COIN?
- Market-leading brand with a scalable user base and diversified product suite (exchange, wallet, staking, L2 development).
- Proven execution and vision in advancing on-chain infrastructure.
- Acts as a proxy to the entire crypto market while offering regulatory clarity and institutional access.
While not a blockchain-native token, $COIN represents one of the most direct ways to gain exposure to crypto adoption through traditional markets.
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🔹 Worldcoin ($WLD) – Identity in the Age of AI
Ansem, a respected crypto analyst, champions $WLD as a hedge against centralized AI control and surveillance.
The Big Picture
- As artificial intelligence advances, verifying human identity becomes critical.
- Worldcoin’s proof-of-personhood protocol uses biometric data (via Orb devices) to issue unique digital IDs — all built on privacy-preserving zero-knowledge proofs.
- Backed by Sam Altman (OpenAI), this project may become foundational in post-AGI economies.
In a world where bots could dominate digital interactions, having a verifiable human identity layer could be as valuable as digital real estate.
🔹 Starknet ($STRK) – Scaling Ethereum with Privacy & Abstraction
Trader Auri believes Starknet is poised for breakout growth due to its technical edge and undervaluation.
Key Advantages:
- Built on validium/zk-rollup tech, offering high throughput (TPS rivaling Solana).
- Pioneering account abstraction (AA) for seamless UX (think social logins, gasless transactions).
- Fully diluted valuation (~$1B at time of writing) lags behind peers like Arbitrum and Optimism.
Three Paths to Success:
- Become a leading general-purpose Ethereum L2.
- Serve as a Bitcoin L2 settlement layer if BTC interoperability improves.
- Function as backend infrastructure for other chains’ dApps.
With strong fundamentals and low market cap relative to potential, Starknet stands out as a high-upside play.
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🔹 Jito ($JTO) & Zcash ($ZEC) – Yield and Privacy Combined
Mert Mumv, co-founder of Helius Labs, highlights two contrasting but compelling assets:
Jito ($JTO)
- Leader in Solana liquid staking, capturing a dominant share of restaking yield.
- If SOL remains relevant over the next 3–5 years (a reasonable assumption), JTO will continue extracting value from network activity.
- Strong alignment between protocol revenue and token utility.
Zcash ($ZEC)
- A veteran privacy coin with robust cryptography (zk-SNARKs).
- Undergoing a major technical overhaul under a new research lab structure.
- Privacy demand is cyclical — but growing regulatory scrutiny may reignite interest in untraceable transactions.
Together, they represent both yield efficiency and fundamental digital rights.
🔹 Chainlink ($LINK) – The Invisible Backbone of On-Chain Reality
Fishy Catfish makes a powerful case for Chainlink, calling it the most durable middleware in crypto.
Why Chainlink Dominates:
- Unchallenged leader in decentralized oracle networks for over six years.
- Powers critical functions in DeFi, RWA tokenization, and cross-chain communication.
- Already integrated with major institutions: SWIFT, DTCC, JPMorgan, ANZ, UBS.
Upcoming Innovations:
- Automated Compliance Engine (ACE): KYC/AML, investor accreditation, sanctions screening.
- Cross-Chain Identity (CCID): Portable identity across ecosystems.
- Privacy Suite: Includes DECO (patented zkTLS), private CCIP transfers.
Chainlink is shifting value capture from blockchains to application layers — a rare trend in an industry where protocols often bleed value.
🔹 Diversified L1 Portfolio Approach
Alex Svanevik, founder of Nansen, takes a balanced route: building a diversified portfolio across Layer 1 blockchains.
His Holdings Include:
- BNB (Binance Chain)
- SUI
- APT (Aptos)
- TRX (Tron)
- AVAX (Avalanche)
All assets are staked, generating an estimated 4.5% annual yield. This strategy spreads risk across mature and emerging ecosystems while earning passive income — ideal for long-term holders who believe in multi-chain coexistence.
🔹 SPX – The Cultural Meme with Real Mission
Murad, known for contrarian views, backs $SPX, dubbed the first “Movement Coin.”
What Makes SPX Unique?
- Inspired by GameStop ($GME) saga — aims to disrupt traditional equity markets.
- Represents a cultural pushback by Gen Z against systemic economic challenges.
- Blends finance with community ethos and digital belonging.
- Targets a massive potential market: financially disenfranchised youth seeking meaning and ownership.
While meme-driven, SPX taps into deeper societal shifts — making it more than just a joke coin.
🔹 BNB, LEO, AAVE, MKR, XMR – The Resilience Stack
Awawat from APG Capital focuses on survival and sustainability:
- BNB & LEO: Exchange-backed tokens with limited upside but low downside due to consistent buybacks and ecosystem usage.
- AAVE & MKR: Leading DeFi protocols likely to persist through cycles.
- XMR (Monero): The gold standard in privacy coins, resistant to regulatory pressure due to decentralization.
His philosophy? In 3–5 years, most altcoins will fade — only the strongest fundamentals survive.
🔹 Stocks Over Crypto? HOOD & TSLA as Digital Asset Plays
W3Q takes a bold stance: outside of Bitcoin, avoid pure crypto altogether.
Preferred Assets:
- $HOOD (Robinhood): The "picks and shovels" play in retail finance. Expanding into crypto trading, staking, and lending with superior UX.
- $TSLA (Tesla): A bet on AI-powered robotics and energy ecosystems. Elon Musk’s history with Dogecoin suggests future crypto integration.
For those open to leveraged exposure:
“A 2x leveraged Bitcoin ETF, deployed during market bottoms,” could amplify returns over time.
🔹 Sky ($SKY) & Other Under-the-Radar Gems
Vance Spencer of Framework Ventures points to $SKY, a lesser-known asset not yet listed on major exchanges. While details are sparse, early mentions suggest it’s tied to decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) or digital ownership layers — areas gaining traction quietly.
Other notable mentions include:
- $AAVE**, **$ENA, $PENDLE**, **$JUP — favored by Arthur from DeFiance Capital for their yield optimization and modular DeFi roles.
✅ Core Keywords Identified:
crypto investment, long-term crypto, altcoins 2025, Layer 2, real-world assets, privacy coins, decentralized identity, tokenized securities
These keywords reflect strong search intent around future-proof digital assets beyond BTC and ETH — aligning perfectly with evolving investor priorities.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I really make long-term gains without investing in BTC or ETH?
A: Yes — while BTC and ETH offer foundational exposure, niche sectors like privacy, identity, and RWA infrastructure present asymmetric opportunities with growing adoption curves.
Q: Is it safe to invest in non-crypto assets like $COIN or $HOOD for crypto exposure?
A: These stocks act as regulated gateways to blockchain growth. They offer lower volatility and institutional oversight — ideal for conservative investors seeking indirect exposure.
Q: Why do some experts favor privacy coins despite regulatory risks?
A: Demand for financial privacy persists globally. Projects like Zcash and Monero use advanced cryptography that’s hard to censor — ensuring long-term relevance even under scrutiny.
Q: How important is token utility versus speculation?
A: Over 3–5 years, utility wins. Tokens tied to real revenue (like Jito, Chainlink) or essential services (like Starknet’s scaling) tend to outperform purely speculative assets.
Q: Should I diversify across multiple altcoins?
A: Diversification reduces risk. A mix of DeFi leaders (AAVE), L1s (AVAX), L2s (STRK), and thematic plays (WLD) balances innovation with stability.
Q: What role do memes play in serious investing?
A: Meme coins like SPX reflect cultural momentum. When aligned with real grievances or movements, they can evolve into durable communities — though higher risk remains.
Whether you're building a resilient portfolio or hunting for breakout innovations, the consensus is clear: look beyond the obvious. The next wave of value lies in infrastructure, identity, privacy, and real-world integration — all quietly shaping the future of finance.
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