If you had told me four years ago that Bitcoin would feel so lackluster at $26K, I'd have thought you were crazy. Back then, envisioning $20K on the horizon seemed far-fetched, especially after the colossal coin plummeted from $20,000 to as low as $3,000. In 2022, we bore witness to another drop, with Bitcoin tumbling from $69,000 to just above $15,000, and some consider this level to be the nadir.

As it sank to these depths, the bears emerged from the shadows, predicting even direr targets. As history shows, their predictions turned out to be the usual erroneous calls, while they remained sidelined. BTC mounted a rather robust recovery from $15K to $32K, though now it seems to be catching its breath. A mere couple of weeks ago, the bears were vehemently advocating for a return to $10K, dismissing the current correction as a bull trap.

My sentiments differ. A cursory glance at BTC's chart reveals a trend of higher highs and higher lows over several months. While we might not yet be steeped in the full bloom of a bull market, I'm inclined to believe that, at least concerning BTC, the bear market is behind us.

For altcoins, the bear market might still loom ahead, and truth be told, 99% of the plethora of shitcoins out there won't ascend to new all-time highs. This pattern played out in the previous cycle and is likely to repeat itself, as new coins take the limelight, often leaving the ones hyped in the prior bull market to fall short of expectations.

Nevertheless, some altcoins present excellent buying opportunities at their current levels, in my opinion. Regrettably, many investors remain on the sidelines, holding out for even lower prices. While we can't predict the future, it's conceivable that fresh lows may or may not materialize. If they don't, what happens if we're on the cusp of the next significant surge, and those sidelined once again miss the boat?

What's the likely course of action? Allow me to elucidate—it's a manifestation of mass psychology. Those on the sidelines will await a pullback to current levels, which, if you scrutinize BTC and several pertinent altcoins, has been systematically devouring capital over the past six months. This capital, some fresh and others emanating from floundering altcoins, has been steadily driving prices upward.

By the time the sidelined enthusiasts rouse from their slumber to recognize the ongoing bull market, we might already be halfway through it or even approaching its zenith. I can say this with conviction because I've personally navigated such a scenario. I acquired ATOM at $30; I should have snagged it at $2 in 2020, but fear held me back. Fear, it seems, is our most formidable adversary—an affliction that lingers like a plague.

However, the silver lining is that everything we desire lies beyond that fear. If apprehension clouds your judgment about purchasing crypto right now, paradoxically, that might just be the very path you should tread—though, of course, this isn't financial advice. Conversely, when greed starts fuelling dreams of astronomical gains, it's probably a cue to consider cashing out, for the house of cards is poised to crumble.

Returning to my ATOM illustration, had I purchased it back in 2020 at $2 and sold it at $30 (the point at which I entered), I'd be sitting on a 15x return on investment—a commendable outcome. I've relinquished dreams of 100x returns and such. A 5x appreciation seems entirely feasible from this juncture, and anything surpassing a 10x surge would be nothing short of a windfall.

However, scooping up your own investments from the pavement isn't a straightforward feat. I found myself in that position this year and I'm hoping it proves fruitful. If not, I might be concluding my journey with crypto, or at least limiting my full-time involvement, as my fiat reserves are nearly depleted. Remember, though, whatever you yearn for, it invariably lies on the other side of that fear—this axiom holds true for almost anything you set out to achieve.

Thanks for your attention, Adrian