Crypto Titans: How trillions were made and billions lost in the cryptocurrency markets, reviewed

We review this book by  Markus Thielen, you can see more about Crypto Titans here.

Crypto Titans: How trillions were made and billions lost in the cryptocurrency markets, reviewed

This book is topical and up to date. Each section covers events from a long time ago up to the recent events that have occurred. The challenge in reading this book however is that there seems to be little analysis and narrative from the author. The book certainly describes a lot of things, but, after awhile we repeatedly found ourselves tracking back to the beginning of each chapter to see what the context was, and how it related to the information that the author was giving you.

The title implies that some people made a lot of money from crypto, and others lost a smaller amount. It would be good to come away with an understanding of who these different parties were, but we are struggling to tell you they were. Time and time again a chapter would begin without a clear statement of what it was planning to discuss, and how it related to this wider narrative.

A tough book to read. A second edition could do with pulling all of this valuable research and information into a more coherent book please.

More about the book

This book explains how the crypto industry started and evolved through four crypto bull and bear markets, and how everything in crypto is ultimately connected. It shows all the main players behind the three-trillion-dollar industry, and how billions of dollars have been lost in the pursuit of crypto gains. If you want to understand why and when crypto prices move up or down, this book is for you.

In this book you’ll learn:

• How each of the four crypto bull markets of 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2021 unfolded, the drivers behind them, and what caused prices to correct violently during bear markets
• How crypto markets naturally progressed, and how everything is therefore related
• The players involved, and how they have made money—while others have lost large sums.

Praise for Crypto Titans

“Crypto Titans is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the history of crypto. Markus has done an excellent job covering all the important names and stories that have shaped the crypto industry, consistently hitting the nail on the head with accurate analysis to help readers understand the motivations and personal characteristics. I highly recommend this book to anyone.”
Jihan Wu, Founder, Bitdeer and Matrixport

“The usual challenge with writing a book about the past is finding a balance between a subjective and objective approach, picking favorites or stating cold facts. This book takes the latter approach, allowing readers to construct their own context. It’s up to you to make connections from the very early, pre-2017 days, which I found most interesting since I did not witness them personally, to today’s state of affairs. Markus’s impartial approach in assessing the events is ideally suited for this, given the narrative-driven nature of the crypto world today. I recommend this book to anybody interested in crypto.”
Evgeny Gaevoy, CEO and Cofounder, Wintermute

“Fortunes are won and lost when transformations happen. Bitcoin is transforming the entire economy, and there will be many fortunes won and lost. But the drumbeat continues. Technology always shines in the end. Read this book. Great lessons can be learned.”
Tim Draper, Founder, Draper Associates

“Crypto Titans looks at this era of profound innovation through the lens of crypto pioneers. Markus delivers trail markers, bright dots of history to help steer even the most seasoned guide. Any reader will be left with a clearer view of crypto’s future.”
Marcel Kasumovich, Deputy CIO, Coinbase Asset Management

“In this thoroughly researched and perceptive book, Markus has masterfully weaved together a tapestry with all the colorful players and the major events of the nascent crypto industry across both geographies and time. The book is required reading for those who are crypto-curious, new to the industry, or already seasoned Web3 professionals.”
Josh Du, Head of Digital Assets, Animoca Brands

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