To Those Considering Investment Studies: Real Estate, Stocks, or Crypto?

A message to those wondering what field to study - real estate, stocks, or crypto? Especially for ordinary people who weren't born into wealth, don't have connections, and don't have large investment capital.

This is my true story and direct experience. I once studied real estate seriously, but fortunately had a chance to talk with a veteran in the field. That conversation made me realize that "the path to becoming an expert in real estate was still impossibly far." I could barely compete with the old generation of investors. So I pivoted to studying cryptocurrency/blockchain instead, and was able to gain deep expertise in just a few years. In real estate, this would have been impossible!

My Real Estate Study Journey

I studied real estate intensively for 6 months, going all-in. I read over 20 books and attended every real estate seminar available, including multiple courses at Dr.'s Real Estate Business School (TREBS). I spent over 200,000 baht on courses and visited more than 70 condominiums. In the end, I realized I was "working hard in the wrong direction."

Fortunately, I had a conversation with a real estate mogul that changed everything.

The Crucial Conversation

Mr. A: "Hey, you want to learn about real estate? How long have you been studying?" Me: "6 months. I've been going all-in, studying real estate every day. I want to become skilled quickly." Mr. A: "Oh boy, you're still far off. I've been doing this for 30 years! To become truly skilled, you need at least 10 years of experience!"

These words felt like a harsh slap in the face - a bitter medicine I had to swallow. It made me realize I was wasting time and was in the wrong place.

Why I Initially Studied Real Estate

Back in 2020, I was working in Private Equity, dealing with business transactions and meeting with high-net-worth individuals. I needed to advise them on investment opportunities. I thought that deep knowledge of real estate would help me better guide them on financial management and investments, plus it seemed like a valuable skill for the future. That's why I dove in so intensively!

The Reality Check

After talking with the mogul, I realized I could never become an expert in real estate within just a few years. He emphasized that beyond the 10+ years needed, you also need connections - the "Know Who" factor. Most knowledge isn't in books or online; it requires field experience and learning from actual deals, including many "dark arts" that can only be learned through years of experience!

The Power of Connections

Real estate heavily relies on connections, putting ordinary people at a huge disadvantage compared to insiders. Think about it - if you know politicians, you know where new roads will be built, where major developments are planned, where big shopping centers will be located. It's almost risk-free investing! When a major mall opens across from your property, land prices are guaranteed to rise!

The Technology World

The beauty of technology is that it creates more equality. Even if seniors have more experience, they might be at a disadvantage compared to younger people who dedicate their time to it. It's a world where more study equals more knowledge and success.

In the crypto world of 2021, two revolutionary innovations emerged: DeFi and NFTs. Imagine if a company advertised wanting someone with "5+ years of DeFi or NFT experience" - we'd laugh! Why? Because these technologies are so new, everyone is learning them together!

Think about it - how could anyone have 5 years of ChatGPT experience when it was just released in late 2022?

In technology, everyone starts from zero - rich, poor, young, old, connected, or not. It's much fairer than real estate. No wonder we see so many people making money from these technologies - selling NFTs, farming DeFi, using AI for various purposes, incorporating it into real businesses. The key is just getting in early!

[Content continues with personal experiences in crypto, including Bitcoin transfers, meeting Professor X, learning about DeFi, working with Alpha Finance Lab, and various speaking engagements...]

Conclusion

In just 1-2 years in the crypto world, I was able to become an expert and receive numerous opportunities. At BlockMountain 2021, I was an attendee; by 2022, I was invited as a speaker for two panels.

If I had spent this time on real estate, I believe I would have had far fewer opportunities and could never truly compete with the veterans. Think about how few industries allow newcomers to compete with experienced players in just a few years. Tech is one of them.

Studying future-growth technologies like Blockchain or AI gives you a huge advantage. Imagine if we had studied the Internet before others, learned about Bitcoin and Ethereum early, or started online marketing and app development before it became mainstream.

These technologies are inevitable! Even those who never studied the online world had to learn it eventually. The world changes, and we can't live in the past forever. Today, everyone must learn online marketing whether they like it or not.

The question is - wouldn't it be better to start today? Blockchain and AI have massive potential. Those who don't adapt now might struggle in the future. It's better to keep up with technology than let it overtake you later.

I want to encourage everyone studying these technologies seriously - whether you're young or old with a learning mindset. You're on the right path. Keep going!