The Next Big Block: Or, How to Retire (Possibly)

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Right then. Let’s talk about money. Specifically, the sort of money that allows one to cease the activity known as ‘work’ and instead dedicate oneself to more pressing matters, such as contemplating the existential dread of a universe expanding into nothingness. For the past decade, Ethereum (ETH 4.86%) has been, shall we say, rather good at facilitating this particular ambition. A mere eleven thousand, seven hundred percent return since 2015 is, statistically speaking, quite improbable. (It’s like accidentally discovering a planet entirely made of biscuits. Possible, theoretically, but don’t bet the farm on it.)

But time, as they say, marches on. Or, in the case of blockchain technology, iterates at a frankly alarming rate. Which begs the question: is it time to cast a discerning eye towards the up-and-coming challengers to Ethereum’s throne? If one of these rivals does manage to overtake Ethereum and become the dominant Layer 1 blockchain, well, let’s just say the resulting valuation could be… significant. And by ‘significant’, I mean potentially capable of funding a small nation-state. (Or, more realistically, a moderately comfortable retirement.)

The Millionaire-Maker Equation

The basic arithmetic of cryptocurrency-based wealth accumulation is surprisingly straightforward. The aim is to identify a relatively obscure digital asset and then patiently await a thousand-fold increase in its value. A modest investment of, say, $1,000, magically transforms into $1 million. (It’s a bit like turning lead into gold, only with more coding and significantly more volatility. Don’t attempt this at home.)

This, of course, was the playbook with Bitcoin, which once traded for a price that wouldn’t cover a decent cup of coffee and now approaches the cost of a small island. And it worked rather nicely with Ethereum itself, which began its existence at a mere $3 before ascending to the lofty heights of $3,000. (The laws of physics were briefly suspended during this period, or so I’m told.)

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Which is why, at this juncture, I find myself more interested in identifying the next Ethereum than in simply doubling down on the incumbent. Ethereum, while undoubtedly impressive, appears to have largely exhausted its potential for a thousand-fold return. The numbers, frankly, don’t quite add up. A thousand-fold increase would necessitate a market capitalization of $300 trillion. (That’s more than the entire global stock market. Twice over. It’s… ambitious.)

Potential Millionaire-Making Contenders

So, with that rather sobering calculation in mind, I’ve established a few rudimentary criteria for identifying potential candidates. First, the cryptocurrency must be a Layer 1 blockchain network with a plausible, if improbable, chance of eventually supplanting Ethereum. (Layer 2 solutions are interesting, certainly, but they’re essentially built on someone else’s foundation. Like a very elaborate treehouse.)

Second, the market capitalization should hover around the $1 billion mark. A thousand-fold gain would propel that to $1 trillion – a substantial, but not entirely inconceivable, sum. It’s roughly half the size of Bitcoin’s current market cap and about 2.5 times Ethereum’s. (These numbers are, of course, subject to the whims of the market, which is often described as ‘irrational’ – a surprisingly honest assessment.)

Third, the price per token should be relatively low – a few dollars, ideally. This allows one to accumulate a meaningful stake with a modest investment. (Remember, we’re aiming to transform $1,000 into $1 million, and that requires a certain amount of leverage.)

Applying these rather arbitrary rules, a handful of names emerge, including Aptos (APT 0.85%), a Layer 1 blockchain that launched in late 2022 with the assistance of some rather clever developers from Meta Platforms. Aptos currently trades for less than $2 and boasts a market cap of $1.2 billion. (It’s a long shot, admittedly, but then again, so was the invention of the spork.)

The Also-Rans (and Why)

A few prominent names, unfortunately, don’t quite make the cut. Solana, Avalanche, Cardano, and Sui – while perfectly respectable projects – are simply too large to offer the exponential growth potential we’re seeking. (They might be solid investments, but the math just doesn’t cooperate.)

I’ve also excluded several Layer 2 networks, such as Optimism and Arbitrum, which are, by their very nature, dependent on the success of Ethereum. (It’s a bit like investing in the scaffolding around a magnificent cathedral. Useful, certainly, but not the cathedral itself.)

And, finally, I’ve disregarded several blockchain networks with billion-dollar market caps that are simply too specialized for our purposes. (We’re looking for a general-purpose blockchain ecosystem, capable of handling everything from decentralized finance to digital cat pictures.)

Back in December 2022, I specifically identified Aptos as a potential successor to Ethereum. (I’m rarely wrong, although I’m perfectly happy to be proven so. It keeps things interesting.)

The Investor’s Dilemma

Investors are presented with a rather straightforward choice. They can stick with the established market leader and hope for continued growth, or they can venture into the uncharted territories of the crypto universe in search of undiscovered opportunities. The former is the safer option, naturally. The latter is… considerably more speculative. If you’re risk-averse, stick with Ethereum. But if you’re willing to embrace extraordinary risk in pursuit of a life-changing return, then cast your gaze towards the up-and-coming Ethereum challengers. (Just don’t blame me if your digital cat pictures suddenly become worthless.)

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2026-01-21 15:03