Cryptocurrency IQ Curve: The Fool, the Mediocre, and the Genius—Who is the Real "Chives"?

Source: Andrey Didovskiy

Compiled by: Golem, Odaily Planet Daily

Intelligence is a broad, relative, and highly subjective variable that humanity has yet to fully quantify. Generally speaking, if an organism is "alive" and "autonomous," we classify it as intelligent life. This abstract vagueness is particularly evident in the crypto space.

From degens writing papers on the potential value of Fartcoin, to governments exploring strategic Bitcoin reserves, to scholars developing complex useless technologies, the cryptocurrency industry is a vast, paradoxical Pandora's box.

In this crazy world, there are few winners and many losers. The only simple criterion that determines the difference between the two is a single, straightforward intelligence metric measured by portfolio performance.

If you want to win in the crypto game, you must steer clear of mediocrity. You can either be a Sith Lord with an IQ of 200 (the leader of dark force users in the Star Wars series) or an absolute degenerate ape with an IQ of 20 (a completely brainless speculator); if you fall somewhere in between, you're doomed.

In the crypto world, the greatest insult one can receive is to be called "average intelligence" (not to mention the emotional and financial pain that comes with it).

What is the Crypto IQ Curve

Based on the principle of the "bell curve," the Crypto IQ Curve is a meme used to describe the intelligence distribution of market participants.

Crypto IQ Curve

• Very few people are at the ends of the curve (winners);

• Very few people are at the ends of the curve (winners).

This is the essence of the vicious competition and zero-sum game in finance.

On the left side of the curve are those "degenerates" with IQs of 20, who have single-celled brains and almost no self-awareness (the brainless speculators in the crypto industry); on the right side are the "super brains" with IQs of 200, who possess almost supernatural mathematical and social psychological understanding; and in the middle stand the ordinary people who work hard and have emotional dependencies.

Further analysis of these groups:

Left Side Curve: IQ 20 - 70

Thinking like single-celled organisms

This bold group is unafraid of taking risks; they are at the forefront of crypto, constantly trying, failing, and learning, but always full of energy. These individuals are often highly paranoid, sometimes even autistic, but they excel at creating memes and "CX supporting" each other.

While their fervent dedication makes it difficult to distinguish between "degeneracy" and gambling, the same energy also helps them become diamond hands and the elite group of early adopters. Those on the left side of the curve typically lack emotional color; they have a natural tendency to understand human psychology through intuition.

• Asset types involved: Mainly meme coins, but open to all categories

• Examples: GOAT, SHIB, SOL, PEPE

• Investment philosophy: Less is more, Catcoin Gudcoin, HODL, WAGMI (We’re All Gonna Make It)

• Return variance: -99% ← → +10,000% (either zero or freedom)

• Do they ultimately profit?: Sometimes

Middle Curve: IQ 70 - 120

The group seen as liquidity exits

Those in the middle curve heavily rely on technical analysis/charting tools; they are meticulous thinkers but often immersed in false narratives and do not engage in risky experiments. They are hesitant to be the first but always believe they won't be the last. This group of emotionally sensitive top buyers and bottom sellers has many other names in the crypto market: bag holders, retail investors, paper hands, token holders, etc.

Their existence is crucial to the industry—without them, there are no profits.

• Asset types involved: Mainly scams and slow-growing assets

• Examples: EOS, BTC, HEX

• Investment philosophy: Buy high, sell low, panic, blame market manipulation

• Return variance: -99% ← → +100% (either zero or a small profit)

• Do they ultimately profit?: Almost never

Right Side Curve: IQ 120 and Above

Alpha individuals

These people are frontier thinkers, even creators of narratives, who predict and control trends.

To join this group, one needs expertise in knowledge-intensive disciplines such as cryptography, economics, finance, sociology, psychology, computer science, statistics, and more. Those on the right side of the curve have a deep understanding of their emotional states, are obsessed with human psychology, and are very patient. These individuals do not yield to social pressure, are unafraid of losses or admitting mistakes, and are very flexible thinkers.

• Asset types involved: Mainly meme coins, but open to all categories

• Examples: SOL, GOAT, PEPE, OM

• Investment philosophy: HODL, BUIDL, DCA, no leverage

• Return variance: -99% ← → +10,000% (either zero or freedom)

• Do they ultimately profit?: Always

Intelligence Levels of Different National Populations

The average intelligence levels of different countries in the real world can be understood through the following data:

(The dataset varies by source, so the data below includes the most consistent/persistent information from multiple sources that can be found via search engines)

• The global average IQ is about 94 (ranging from 70-110)

• The average IQ in the United States is about 97 (varying between states from 95-103)

• The average IQ in China is about 104 (106 in Hong Kong)

• The average IQ in Russia is about 96 (ranking among the top four in countries with annual incomes below $10,000)

• The average IQ in India is about 77 (possibly influenced by culture and population density)

(Please take these data with caution; it is certain that there is some bias in the census methods used to collect and aggregate this information. If you are affected by this data, congratulations, you are likely in the middle curve position; do not feel offended, but be aware of this.)

What Kind of Person Do You Want to Be?

Choose extreme left or extreme right? (No political double entendre intended), you can choose your preference. However, due to human nature's arrogance, many will believe they are on the far right, while some will not care about this (investors on the left side), but the fact is that the vast majority will ultimately find themselves in the middle position.

"The person who chases two rabbits may catch neither." No matter which side you choose, remember that mediocrity is the only wrong answer.

Understanding Where You Truly Stand?

While judging solely by asset types is a strong indicator, accurately quantifying a person's position on the Crypto IQ Curve requires considering multiple factors, including their emotional and psychological state during the decision-making process, logical reasoning (or lack thereof), ability to handle social feedback, and the ultimate outcome of their decisions. Ultimately, it is essential to remain objective, be honest with yourself, understand your risk preferences, and take action.

Step out of your comfort zone; that is where the seeds grow. May peace, love, and absolute abundance come to everyone (no matter where you currently stand on the curve).