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"Crypto is officially over": Viral LinkedIn post captures industry burnout as market fatigue sets in
A social media marketer’s tongue-in-cheek LinkedIn post declaring “crypto is officially over” has struck a chord with thousands in the digital asset industry, becoming an unexpected barometer of sentiment during an extended market downturn.
Daniel Goodluck’s post, which includes a diagram breaking down the word “CRYPTO” into “CRY, PANIC, TIRED, OVERTHINK,” garnered 162 reactions and 38 comments within two days, with many crypto professionals admitting the satire hit uncomfortably close to home.
“Crypto is officially over. It’s time to get a real job like your family has always suggested,” Goodluck wrote. “It has been a pleasure meeting all of you, and I truly value the friendships we have built along the way. Farewell for now. FYI, this is not a copypasta.”
The post’s viral spread comes as bitcoin trades below $96,000 for the first time in six months and the broader crypto market has shed 3.5% in recent sessions.
While clearly satirical, the engagement Goodluck’s post received suggests it tapped into genuine frustration brewing across the sector. Every bear market has its defining meme: in 2018, it was “when moon?” In 2022, it was gallows humor about LUNA and FTX. Now it’s exhaustion.
The “CRY, PANIC, TIRED, OVERTHINK” framework resonates because it captures the emotional rollercoaster many in the industry experience daily. Unlike traditional finance, crypto’s 24/7 nature means volatility never sleeps—and neither do the people tracking it.
Mental health professionals who work with tech industry clients say the post reflects classic burnout symptoms: emotional exhaustion, cynicism about work, and a sense of reduced accomplishment. The humor serves as both a coping mechanism and a way to acknowledge struggles without appearing vulnerable.
Goodluck’s post arrived amid tangible signs of industry stress. Bitcoin fell from $112,400 in late September to below $96,000 this week—a 13% decline. Ethereum dropped 19%, Solana 28%, and many altcoins shed 40-70%.
Spot bitcoin ETF outflows hit $869 million in a single day last week, the second-largest withdrawal since these products launched. The Fear & Greed Index registered 22 out of 100—firmly in “extreme fear” territory.
Job market data paints a similar picture. Crypto job postings declined 31% quarter-over-quarter, while applications per posting increased 47%.
Veterans note that this cycle feels different—not necessarily worse, but more exhausting.
“In 2018, we were angry and defiant,” said Moses, who has worked in crypto since 2016. “In 2022 with FTX, we were shocked and betrayed. Now in 2025, we’re just… tired.”
Moses pointed to compounding crises: the 2022 exchange collapses, ongoing regulatory uncertainty, persistent questions about real-world utility, and the psychological toll of boom-bust cycles.
“Goodluck’s post is funny because it’s honest,” he added. “Your family did tell you to get a real job. You are tired. The joke works because we’ve all been there.”
Despite the viral post and genuine burnout, data suggests most crypto professionals aren’t actually leaving—at least not yet.
LinkedIn analysis shows the rate of professionals switching from blockchain to other sectors remained relatively stable at 8-12%, comparable to normal tech industry churn.
“People vent, but they don’t necessarily exit,” said Kevin Torres, a Web3 recruiter. “What I’m seeing is people shifting from high-risk startups to more established crypto companies, or moving to traditional finance firms building blockchain divisions.”
Comments on Goodluck’s post reflected this reality.
What makes the post significant is that it gave the industry permission to acknowledge what many were feeling but not saying publicly.
“Crypto culture has this toxic positivity problem where you’re supposed to always be bullish, always be building,” said Amanda Foster, a crypto marketing consultant. “Posts like this crack that facade and let people admit they’re struggling. That’s actually healthy.”
As traditional finance adopts blockchain technology and regulatory frameworks mature, crypto’s identity as a countercultural movement becomes harder to maintain.
“Maybe the real story isn’t that people are tired of crypto,” Foster suggested. “Maybe it’s that crypto is growing up, and that transition is uncomfortable.”
In the end, Goodluck’s post works because it holds up a mirror to an industry at an inflection point. The humor comes from recognition, the engagement from relief that others feel the same way.
Whether crypto is “officially over” remains to be seen. Market cycles suggest it’s not—digital assets have been declared dead repeatedly, only to return. But whether this cohort of crypto professionals makes it to the next cycle with their sanity intact is a more open question.
As one commenter noted: “We’re not leaving crypto. We’re just taking a nap. Wake us up when bitcoin hits $150K or $50K—either way, we’ll have something to do.”
Until then, the industry continues its familiar pattern: cry, panic, get tired, overthink, and somehow show up again the next day.
