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Est. 2022 · Best in Culture
From flipping NFTs to saving over $1,000 in meme coins, Wegba has consistently turned small wins into stepping stones in his quest to establish himself…
Every creative has a story that brought them here. First-person interviews with creatives across industries. Each issue is in partnership with, and guest-curated by a different organization.
From flipping NFTs to saving over $1,000 in meme coins, Wegba has consistently turned small wins into stepping stones in his quest to establish himself and pursue his true passion: music. In this conversation, he takes us through the very beginning of his crypto escapades, years spent navigating scams, and all the lessons he’d incorporated while surviving the volatile crypto ecosystem.
Could you tell us about the very beginning of your Web3 journey?
The beginning of my web3 Journey was sparked by the rise of BTC in late 2021, online hype on X (fka Twitter), and when my close friend got into crypto, it was easier for me to get started.
Was there a specific moment, experience, or realization that made you decide to take Web3 more seriously as a full-time hustle?
The first Non-fungible Token (NFT) project I minted at the time in 2022, Reptilian Renegade, made me over $400 with a mint price of less than $50. This win made me take crypto seriously, but while the quick money can be intoxicating, there are a lot of scams, so looking for easy and fast money might not end well. My first win ended up being a rug (projects that start off well but fail spectacularly), but I sold before it tanked.
How has your understanding of digital markets, trends, and coins evolved over time? What were some key events or developments in your decisions?
Basically, you have to always do background checks of the projects you want to interact with; this alone won’t be enough, but it’s a good precaution. The digital market is largely driven by hype and global politics, like we say in crypto, buy the rumor, sell the news. This will help you gain a lot, i.e. front running. Over time, I have learnt that long-term trading of promising alt coins can be very profitable with the right capital and can also be safe, but patience is needed. Losing my money on shit coins made me very wary of fast money, but with the presence of a good thesis, I still dabble sometimes.
Has your experience with Telegram bots or NFTs shaped how you view digital ownership or community?
We use Telegram to discover projects. But as it is now, only early projects did well on Telegram. Right now, that app is filled with scams, but it still has promising tech that brings the average person with little to no knowledge closer to the digital market. There’s some promising stuff that might happen there in the future, but for now, I’m steering clear. I still use some tech there because it’s easily accessible, so that’s good, I guess.
What were some of the initial doubts or significant obstacles you faced in making Web3 a sustainable career, and how did you overcome them?
Honestly, one of the biggest challenges was having little to no capital to start with. Balancing time between music, school, and trying to build something creative made it even harder. To be real, it’s not a fully sustainable career on its own; real-life jobs are still a necessity. I haven’t overcome most of the obstacles yet, but the small wins here and there keep me motivated to keep pushing.
Were there any specific individuals, works, or resources that significantly inspired you or guided you in your journey?
I was initially inspired by my friends and some online influencers. However, I soon realized that many crypto influencers mostly promote things that benefit themselves. More recently, a shitcoin trader on X named Charlie FX inspired me to explore shitcoin trading. My experiences have been my biggest guide. I’ve learned a lot over time, and I try not to repeat my past mistakes.
How do you decide which projects to follow or invest time in?
I don’t blindly invest. I decide which projects to follow by reading their whitepaper, checking whether the creators are doxxed or have a good reputation, the level of funding and investors involved, and the technology the project is bringing forth. Hype can help sometimes, but only if it comes after early interactions, so being early is key.
How do you juggle this with your interest in music? Do you see one giving way for the other in the days to come?
Truthfully, Music is my main focus and the career I truly see myself pursuing. I got into crypto to support my lifestyle and fund my music, but no matter how things go, I’ll always stay connected to the crypto space, investing and maybe even launching my own project someday.
In your opinion, what is the role or responsibility of digital knowledge in society today, especially concerning themes or communities that are important to you?
Digital knowledge plays a crucial role in today’s fast-evolving world. Technology is growing rapidly, and having little to no digital skills wouldn’t suffice. Unfortunately, many people across Africa still lack access to modern tech, which puts us significantly behind, especially in major areas like education, transportation, and business. This digital stagnation slows development and limits opportunities. For Africa to truly progress, digital knowledge must become a basic necessity for everyone.
Beyond the financial aspects, what have been some of the most significant and professional challenges you’ve faced?
Beyond finances, one of my biggest challenges in crypto has been managing time. There are so many promising projects and protocols out there, but I can’t do it all, so I focus on what I can handle without crashing out. Another major challenge is failure. Even legit projects can flop. You might put effort into five, and only one succeeds. That’s why mental strength is necessary. Losing repeatedly can be draining, so I take breaks when needed and try not to overwork myself. I also approach every project with a 50/50 mindset, hope for success, but stay prepared for setbacks. It helps me stabilize and keeps me going. I’m not known yet, both in my crypto and music career; I’m still on my grind.
Could you share one or two memorable milestones, achievements, or pivotal moments in your digital journey that affirmed you were on the right path?
A pivotal moment in my digital journey was, as I mentioned before, making my first $400 from a $50 NFT mint, which really sparked my motivation. At one point, I also traded $150, which I had saved to over $1,000 in meme coins, little wins but very pivotal for me.
What are your aspirations and expectations for your future trades? Are there specific projects, trends, or goals you’re particularly excited about?
Moving forward, I’m really excited about the growth of the Solana ecosystem. Solana still feels early and has the potential to be the next Ethereum. With crypto booming in 2025 and BTC hitting a new all-time high, I’m hopeful that alts like SOL and ETH will break their previous highs too. I’m especially keeping an eye on what Jupiter DEX is building on Solana. They’ve been making good moves, and I expect big things from them as we move forward. Basically, I’m just trying to stay involved, keep learning, and grow with the space.
What piece of advice would you offer to someone who is just starting their journey or considering investing in projects and holding some assets?
My advice to anyone starting out in crypto is simple: only invest what you can afford to lose. This space moves fast, so keep learning as you go. Watch out for scams and random links. Helpful influencers usually have their own agenda. Always read the whitepaper, test the tech, and try to be early in exploring new projects. The more you interact, the more you learn and earn. This space rewards earliness and steady interactions, so keep clicking! And most importantly, don’t give up. Just keep clicking.
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