A Story of the Hidden Wealth Behind Unconventional Income Streams Like Crypto
In the digital age we live in, the way we earn a living is shifting faster than most of us can keep up with. A recent tweet from the popular Twitter (now X) account @coinfessions gives us a peep into this brave new world of unconventional income. The tweet reads in part: “My portfolio is up like $300k this year so far […] My girlfriend still gives me shit that I don’t have a ‘real job’ […] I’m never telling her.”
Though a simple statement, it speaks a lot about the tension between traditional and modern ways of making a living in a world where the 9-to-5 grind is still seen as the gold standard of employment, with those who make their money through less conventional means—such as cryptocurrency trading—often find themselves misunderstood or even criticized. But as the author of this tweet shows, the numbers never lie: $300k in a year is nothing to sneeze at.
The Trader’s Journey, When Success Isn’t Always Celebrated
In the past decade, we’ve seen the rise of income streams that would have been wild to our grandparents. From YouTube ad revenue to eCommerce, the opportunities are endless. Cryptocurrency trading, in particular, has become a lucrative venture for those with the knowledge and morale to walk the volatile market.
Many people have made fortunes by investing in digital assets like BTC, ETH, and the rest. These success stories often come with an added layer of twists because, unlike a paycheck from a “real job,” earnings from crypto are seen as speculative or even lucky by those not in the know. But the truth is that many traders spend hours analyzing charts, reading market trends, and making calculated decisions. At last, their efforts can pay off big time—sometimes to the tune of $7k a day, as our anonymous tweeter says.
But even with that success, the tweet points out a common issue faced by those with non-traditional jobs: societal expectations. The girlfriend mentioned in the tweet works a grueling 12-hour shift to bring home $3k a month. To her, this is a real job—hard work, long hours, and a steady paycheck. But when she looks at her partner, who somehow earns money out of thin air, it’s easy to see why she might feel frustrated or even resentful.
This situation touches on a broader societal issue, which is the stigma around unconventional jobs. The notion that one must physically work hard to earn a living is deeply nailed into many cultures. However, in this digital age, that’s no longer the only route to financial liberation. For those who break away from traditional employment, the pressure to conform to old standards can be immense, even intense, per culture, leading to secrecy and even guilt about their progress.
Mixing Success and Secret in a Relationship
So why wouldn’t this trader share their success with their girlfriend? There are likely a few reasons. For one, revealing such a huge income difference could create tension in the relationship. Money is a known stressor, and if one partner is earning much more than the other—especially through unpopular ways—it can lead to feelings of incompleteness or resentment, at worst.
Likewise, there’s the fear of not being taken seriously. Crypto trading is still seen by many as a gamble rather than a legit career. So, by keeping their success a secret, the trader avoids the risk of being dismissed or judged by those who don’t understand how tough the crypto market can get.
As unconventional income streams continue to rise, so too will the need for society to rethink its definition of a “real job.” For now, many who have found success outside the traditional workforce feel compelled to keep it under wraps. The author of the tweet may never tell their girlfriend about their $300k portfolio, but their story serves as a powerful pointer that in today’s world, there are many ways to achieve financial success—even if they don’t come with a traditional paycheck. Simple!