CRYPTO 101 Podcast Summary

Episode: Crypto Rundown: Is This the End for Crypto?!... No & Here Is Why!
Date: November 22, 2025
Hosts: Bryce Paul & Brendan Viehman, w/ Joe (Momentum Money Makers)

Episode Overview

In this episode, the CRYPTO 101 team unpacks the recent dramatic downturn in the crypto market, examining whether this signals the end for crypto – and making the case for resilience. Bryce, Brendan, and special guest Joe offer historical context, hard-won perspective, market stats, and actionable insights for retail investors weathering the current storm. The episode blends market analysis, timely news (ETFs, institutions, building in bear markets), community Q&A and a review of winning trades from their high-momentum group, all while encouraging listeners to focus on long-term fundamentals over market panic.

Main Discussion Points

1. Setting the Scene: Market Carnage & Community Strength

[00:00–03:30]

• Volatility is surging; Bitcoin and alts have seen sharp declines (35–37% off highs).
• Bryce reassures listeners: “If you’re crying over spilled milk about a 30% decline, you haven’t been in the industry long enough…You haven’t gone through an FTX collapse where...your own mother calls you and says, ‘Do you still have a job?’” (Bryce, [03:10])
• “We’re honest here at Crypto 101 podcast. When prices go up, downloads go up. Prices go down, listenership drops. So if you’re here, you’re in the right spot…” (Bryce, [03:44])
• Emphasis on sticking to fundamentals and the value of community.

2. Historical Context: Past Declines and Recovery Patterns

[03:30–07:10]

• Analysis of Bitcoin’s history of major drawdowns (2010, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2020 COVID crash, FTX collapse in 2022), showing that this cycle is not unique.
• Joe quips: “This is not even a roller coaster. This is like a toddler Disneyland ride…” ([14:18])
• Market drawdowns are part of crypto reality; seasoned investors stay resolute.

3. Extreme Fear: Sentiment Indicators at Record Lows

[11:00–14:30, 17:00–19:30]

• Key stats: Short-term Bitcoin holders at record losses (almost 99%), realized losses at post-FTX levels.
• Fear & Greed Index at all-time lows (as little as 8–11).
• Joe’s view: “When this [Fear/Greed Index] swings to this side, I’m buying…That’s what people should do…depending on their financial appetite.” ([17:42])
• Brendan: “It feels like we’re finding a bottom…the fundamentals for our thesis on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, like that hasn’t changed.” ([18:01])

4. Why Is This Happening? Market Mechanics & Macro

[19:30–24:47]

• Volatility heightened by algorithmic trading; market swings sometimes lack fundamental reasons.
• DAT bubble deflated; leverage and margin debt remain high; rate-cut expectations factored in, but lack of clear positive catalyst.
• Joe: “A lot of retail investors are getting out, which is great because you want to shake out weaker hands and build a stronger foundation.” ([23:32])

5. Core Message: Fundamentals Have Not Changed

[24:47–26:17]

• RSI (Relative Strength Index) plunging to historic “bear market” lows, but this correction is much faster than prior cycles.
• Joe: “There’s nothing fundamentally broken with Bitcoin. Right. There could be something wrong with the DATs…but all signs are things are coming on chain, not off chain. That’s why I’m not even shaking one bit.” ([24:47])
• Macro news and uncertainty, not a tech flaw, drive this correction.

6. Institutional Adoption & Building in Bear Markets

[26:17–33:31]

• Largest liquidation in crypto history (Oct 10), similar to a central bank “quantitative tightening” event.
• Mention of Tom Lee (Fundstrat) noting a market maker “code error” may have triggered some of the chaos.
• Silver linings:
  • New Hampshire launches first Bitcoin-backed municipal bond ([30:53])
  • ETFs (Bitcoin, Solana, now ETH proposals) continue to see inflows even as asset prices drop
  • Joe: “Institutions are adopting. They don’t build these vehicles to scrap them in three to six months.” ([32:55])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you’re crying over spilled milk about a 30% decline, you haven’t been in this industry long enough…You haven’t been in the depths of a bear market.”

  • Bryce Paul, [03:10]

• “The reason to hammer home is – there’s volatility in the crypto market…nothing has changed with Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies…”

  • Brendan Viehman, [11:12]

• “We may not be down 15%, we may be up…but yeah, I’ve been through this rollercoaster. So this is not even a roller coaster. This is like a toddler Disneyland ride…”

  • Joe, [14:14]

• “Right now…there’s no real kind defined catalyst to get us out of it…But when I really think about it, at the end of the day, nothing has changed…”

  • Brendan Viehman, [21:30]

• “Nothing has changed in terms of blockchain, it’s just all macro news, all macro sentiment…that’s what it is right now.”

  • Joe, [25:19]

Key Segments & Timestamps

Market Recap & Psychology

• [00:00–03:30]: Opening tone, supporting listeners through adversity
• [03:30–07:10]: Market drawdown stats and behavioral anecdotes
• [11:00–14:30]: Sentiment indicators, extreme fear, and the opportunity for accumulation
• [17:00–19:30]: How to use Fear & Greed Index; why feelings don’t match headlines

Technicals & Fundamentals

• [24:47–26:17]: Deep dive into RSI & historical indicators
• [26:17–28:00]: Largest crypto liquidation, why it matters for stability

Institutional & Regulatory Developments

• [30:53–33:31]: New Hampshire’s Bitcoin bonds, ETF inflows for Solana, ETH
• [34:00–35:15]: Coinbase expansion into Solana ecosystem
• [32:13–33:31]: Why ETF construction is a sign of long-term institutional commitment

Momentum Money Makers & Community Trading

• [37:16–39:46]: NFT and meme coin opportunities (Pudgy Penguins, congressman’s penguin, children’s books)
• [40:18–41:59]: Community plays (Jesse’s Creator Coin, Tops enters digital collectibles)
• [44:04–46:30]: Trade reviews – privacy coins (Ghost, Zcash), altcoin winners

Community Q&A / Final Thoughts

• [54:47–56:58]: Where hosts get their info, building a team for robust market coverage
• [57:24–end]: Advice for crypto newcomers: focus on education, don’t chase hype, utilize community resources

Takeaways for Listeners

1. Volatility is the Norm.

Big drawdowns are scary but not unprecedented. Be prepared for both pain and recovery.

2. Sentiment is at Extreme Lows—Often Preludes to Market Bottoms.

Indicators like Fear & Greed, RSI, and realized losses echo conditions seen at turning points.

3. Fundamentals Remain Strong.

Tech is improving, institutions are adopting, and long-term builders are undeterred.

4. Follow the Builders and Institutions.

Despite panic selling, ETF inflows, state-level crypto instruments, and major players building indicate real progress.

5. Always Do Your Own Research.

Despite what’s trending, rely on time-tested strategies—dollar cost averaging, focusing on fundamentals, and learning from diverse expert voices.

6. Crypto is Community.

Engage with knowledgeable groups, learn from a range of perspectives, and remember you are not alone—even on the roughest days in the market.

Final Memorable Quote

• “Things are going to be okay. We’re seeing some volatility in the market, but that gives us some great opportunity… I get bullish in times like this, especially when people are talking about shorting constantly. It makes me want to go long…”
  – Brendan Viehman, [54:04]

Stay strong, keep learning, and remember: “The light is still on.”
Tune in next week for the special Matt Hogan episode and more timely insights!