The only 4 ways to make money in Web3

Let’s be honest – everyone in Web3 wants to make money. The more, the better.

It may seem there are countless ways to do it, but actually it comes down to just four things…

You can earn in Web3 only as a:

1. Founder – by establishing new projects

2. Investor – by putting money into projects

3. Contributor – by helping projects

4. User – by engaging with projects

Each role implies different level of involvement and risk:

More involvement → more potential reward.
More risk → more potential reward.

No matter what role you choose (can be more than one)… it’s important you understand where the money actually comes from. Because many think of Web3 as some magic internet money manifesting out of nowhere. Obviously, it’s not true.

Money comes as a result of YOU creating VALUE in the marketplace.

At least if we’re talking about doing things ETHICALLY and SUSTAINABLY. Which we are.

Let’s look at how it works…

1 – If you’re a FOUNDER, you BUILD things.

If you succeed, you can make A LOT.

However, it comes at a cost.

This role demands the highest level of involvement and skills. You put everything on the line: time, energy, reputation, and money – or take responsibility for the money of others.

2 – If you’re an INVESTOR, you provide the FUEL.

This role requires less involvement, but you contribute through capital.

Your returns will depend on two things:

1. Your ability to identify the best opportunities;

2. The amount of money you’re willing to risk.

The more you bet, the more you can win.

3 – If you’re a CONTRIBUTOR, you put in the WORK.

This role (as an employee, contractor, advisor etc.) requires various levels of skill and involvement. There’s almost no risk since you’re getting paid based on what you do, not how the project performs.

In some cases, you can earn more than you would doing similar work outside Web3.

Sometimes you can get a stake in a project too.

4 – If you’re a USER, you show your SUPPORT.

This role requires the least skill/involvement/risk-taking. Rewards are modest too. However, it’s remarkable that you can earn even a small stake by simply being a user.

Imagine being offered Meta stock just for using Facebook. Cool, huh?

Generally, the earlier you join and the more value your actions bring – the greater your rewards will be.

Unfortunately, there is one big problem with all of these…

I call it 90+% problem.

You see… 90+ percent of people won’t actually make much money with any of the above.

On the contrary, many will often lose their money, time, or both.

Why?

• 90+% of projects fail (we’ve seen it with ICO wave, NFT projects, and even if we look outside Web3, most startups follow the same pattern)

• 90%+ of investments fail (along with failing projects, all the while the best opportunities are reserved for insiders, VCs and not available to public)

• 90%+ of contributors don’t receive any stake in the project (and if they do, they face the same risk of project failing and their stake going to zero)

• 90%+ of users aren’t fairly rewarded (they either receive nothing or their reward turns out to be so minuscule that it wasn’t worth the effort)

How to solve it (and make lots of money)?

It all starts with projects.

They are the primary source of value in this space.

If they succeed, so does everyone involved – founders, investors, contributors, and users.

Therefore, the key to making a lot of money in this space is identifying projects with low failure risk and high likelihood of success.

They’re often referred to as “asymmetric opportunities”.

How do you do that?

An honest answer: you can’t.

If it was easy, everyone would’ve done it and become rich. And there would be no 90+% problem.

The reality is when people realize something has a lot of value, it’s already too late.

What do you do then?

Here’s a crazy idea…

If we can’t find these opportunities… we CREATE them!

I already talked about my plan in the previous article: create a space where people unite to build great projects. Where everyone can contribute and get rewarded for the value they bring.

Now imagine it’s designed in a way to minimize risks and maximize rewards for every project.

Here are things that can reduce risks:

• Streamlined processes – Each project is built, launched and scaled according to an established framework. It improves over time through feedback loops.

• Predictability – With clear rules and systems in place, everyone – founders, investors, contributors, users – are aware what they can expect in return for their contributions.

• Organized governance – Everyone can influence a project to the extent they contribute. From providing recommendations to initiating direct interventions in critical situations.

• Rug pull protection – Founders can’t run away with the money. Because it’s locked and released gradually. With proper checks and balances in place.

• Transparency & accountability – You’ll see what work is being done by who. How much is being spent on what. All in real time. Holding everyone fully accountable.

Here are things that can increase potential rewards:

• Collective synergy – Everyone is working towards a common goal. All roles have a vested interest. Incentives are aligned. A force like this inevitably pushes any project to its limit.

• Community support – A strong community is a powerful asset to any project. It can provide help in overcoming obstacles, driving growth, and inspiring the team through highs and lows.

• Cross-pollination – Projects in the ecosystem can help and boost each other. They can partner up, cross-promote, share audiences, resources, knowledge and best practices.

• Compound growth – As the platform attracts more people and launches more projects, it gains resources to pursue even bigger ideas and better talent. Which creates a flywheel.

• Committed holders – Unlike speculators, people who help build a project are far more loyal. They're more likely to hold even in tough times, driving resilience and long-term growth.

I wasn’t joking when I said it’s a crazy idea. It is.

Imagine a startup factory that churns out successful Web3 projects like hotcakes.

• If you're a founder → you already have potential investors, contributors and users lined up

• If you're an investor → you have early access to unique opportunities positioned to thrive

• If you're a contributor → you can receive a stake in a project with clear terms on how to get it

• If you're a user → you can bring real value to projects and be sure you'll get rewarded for it

And it's all done in a fun and gamified way.

That's the vision. That's the ultimate goal.

There’s no guarantee it will work.

But if it does, it can change the whole industry as we know it.

Solve 90+% problem. Solve all other core problems of Web3.

And help everyone – founders, investors, contributors, users – not only make a ton of money but also truly enjoy the experience of building something great together.

Would you like to join this crazy experiment?

Then subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on socials: Telegram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn.

It’s where I’ll share my plan in more detail. And report my journey along the way.

You’ll also have an opportunity to join, contribute and share in the rewards.

Or, until you’re ready, you can just watch from the sidelines. Like it’s a reality show.

To sum it up

• There are many ways to make money in Web3, but it boils down to just four roles.

• You can earn a lot, but most people will lose their money, time or both.

• You can increase your chances to succeed by pursuing asymmetric opportunities.

• It’s hard to find them so a more predictable (even though harder) way is to create them.

• By doing it together everyone achieves more – by reducing risks and increasing rewards.

• If you want to join this crazy experiment → subscribe to my newsletter and wait for the invite.

It’s time to have fun building things! 🥳