Yesterday, Facebook abruptly changed its name to Meta, causing Decentraland and Sandbox—metaverse-themed stocks in the cryptocurrency market—to skyrocket. Decentraland, a first-generation metaverse project, was one of the most talked-about companies in 2018. I also invested early and made a decent profit, but I had recently reorganized my portfolio and switched to other coins. Yet, it surged 300% in just one day. Watching the graph skyrocket in real-time, I had to wage a fierce internal battle between the temptation to chase the rally and the restraint that warned, “You might get swept up in the middle of a speculative frenzy.” Decentraland’s trading volume surpassed 7 trillion won. Considering Upbit’s total volume was 22 trillion won at the time, this was a record-breaking event where a quarter of the volume was concentrated in a single coin. Whenever I hear news like this, feelings of ‘too late for regrets’ or ‘maybe it’ll go up a bit more’ surface. But by the time news reaches the public, it’s usually already too late. While the long-term vision for the metaverse may be positive, in the short term, it often becomes a playground for forces aiming for so-called pumping and dumping. If it rises 100% in a day, it could also fall 100% in a day. Game coins and meme coins are often the main targets for speculators looking for quick profits.

The excitement and fear felt in the speculative market are beyond imagination. The euphoria when your 1 million won investment multiplies several times in a single day, and the emotional rollercoaster during the subsequent crash, cause immense stress. The scene in the Netflix hit Squid Game where the protagonist cheers after winning a horse race perfectly captures this. Conversely, the fear during a crash resembles the devastation of losing money borrowed from others in gambling. Everyone jumps in, deluding themselves they can sell at the peak and buy at the bottom, but they inevitably fall into the trap of greed, leaving their accounts empty. Trapped in a cycle of regret and greed, they forget the value of everyday life and, before they know it, become just another ‘horse’ in a deadly game.

Having experienced this myself, I’ve strived to build a value system for long-term investing. Yet, faced with yesterday’s surge, the temptation was dizzyingly intense. Chart analysis suggested entering now could still yield profits, but I knew violating my investment principles would drag me into the gambling pit. So I chose restraint and went to sleep. That night, I had a strange dream. I was at the airport trying to board a flight, but all my companions had left, and I was the only one left behind because my boarding pass hadn’t been issued. After much trouble, I managed to board a flight through another counter and arrived at my hometown neighborhood. Contrary to my worry that I’d be the last to arrive, I was actually the first one there. Realizing the others hadn’t arrived yet, I woke up from the dream. It felt like a vivid prophetic dream, offering the realization that I could find my own path without getting lost in the crowd rushing toward the speculative frenzy, safely returning home (to my essence).

On the other hand, I don’t think it’s a bad strategy to diversify investments by putting small amounts into game coins or meme coins in advance. Their value should be viewed from a different perspective than platform coins. The essence of games and memes is ‘interest and fun’. While they may not directly aid daily life, their entertainment value as ‘fun’ is undeniable. The bizarre phenomenon of Lineage game items trading for tens of millions of won ultimately reflects the value people place on the enjoyment they provide. Especially for understanding the MZ generation, knowing how to discuss coins like Dogecoin or Decentraland could be a shortcut to becoming a so-called ‘insider’.

Amidst the fierce reality of shows like Squid Game, I strive to clearly distinguish between investment and speculation. Constantly reflecting on whether I’m merely a ‘pawn’ in a deadly game, I aim to persist in a ‘winning game’ that slowly but surely improves my odds. Like the tithe offered during today’s worship, I will not neglect the discipline of managing wealth, keeping my center as I live.