Appendix
Timeline 2023-2025
Timeline of key events and trends in the crypto ponzi ecosystem
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| TIMELINE 2023-2025 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Key events and ponzi evolution this cycle |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+2023
Q1-Q2: Deep Bear Market
Market State: Extremely low liquidity
Dominant Schemes: Low liquidity assets (pre-inscription era)
Key Events:
├── FTX aftermath continues
├── Silicon Valley Bank crisis
└── USDC brief depegQ3: Inscription Rise
Market State: Liquidity begins to recover
Dominant Schemes: Inscriptions (order book trading, low liquidity splits)
Key Events:
├── Ordinals ecosystem explosion
├── BRC-20 standard birth
└── NFT trading volume hits bottomQ4: Bull Market Expectations
Market State: Liquidity expectations turn positive
Dominant Schemes: Inscriptions continue + Meme revival
Key Events:
├── BTC ETF expectations heat up
├── MoneyArk and other mutual aid schemes flash in the pan
└── FriendTech fizzles out2024
Q1: Bull Market Begins
Market State: High liquidity
Dominant Schemes: Meme-led
Key Events:
├── BTC ETF approval
├── Inscription hype fades
├── 404/Pandora brief explosion
└── Memes start to dominateQ2: Meme Peak
Market State: Liquidity peak
Dominant Schemes: Meme + Fair Launch
Key Events:
├── Pump.fun explosion
├── Solana Meme ecosystem
└── VC coin predicament emergesQ3: On-Chain Migration
Market State: CEX liquidity migrates on-chain
Dominant Schemes: On-chain shitcoins + GambleFi
Key Events:
├── "VC coins are dead" becomes consensus
├── On-chain liquidity ratio rises
└── Hyperliquid risesQ4: PVP Era
Market State: Extreme PVP-ification
Dominant Schemes: Flash schemes + Livestream coins
Key Events:
├── Pump livestream trend
├── Sidekick and other variants
└── User behavior extremification2025
Q1: Intensifying Divergence
Market State: Liquidity polarization
Dominant Schemes: Highly segmented
Trend Judgment:
├── Old users (DeFi-oriented)
├── New users (Gambling-oriented)
└── Institutional entry (RWA-oriented)Key Trends
Liquidity Migration
2023: CEX-dominant (85%+)
2024: CEX (70-80%) + On-chain (20-30%)
2025: Trend continues, on-chain ratio risingScheme Evolution
2023: Low liquidity assets dominant (Inscriptions, NFTs)
2024: High-speed splits dominant (Memes, Fair Launch)
2025: Gambling + Ponzi fusion (GambleFi)User Generations
Old users: Complex logic, long cycles, large capital
New users: Simple and direct, fast in/out, small amounts high frequencyLessons Learned
| Event | Lesson |
|---|---|
| MoneyArk rapid death | Bull market dividend schemes can't outrun Beta |
| Inscription fade | Low liquidity assets lose advantage after liquidity migration |
| FT collapse | Need new growth when split rate declines |
| Pump success | GambleFi + screen time arbitrage |
| VC coin predicament | CEX liquidity insufficient to support traditional path |
Cycle Patterns
Bear market suitable for:
├── Low liquidity assets
├── High multiple pumps
└── Creating attention
Bull market suitable for:
├── High liquidity distribution
├── Fast dumping
└── Utilizing liquidity
Transition periods suitable for:
├── Observing signals
├── Switching strategies
└── Early positioning"Everything is a scheme. Good projects in Crypto must first be good schemes."
Source: @TheCryptoSkanda Open Rug Series