To be honest, I’m actually quite risk-averse. After years of hustling in the crypto space, I’ve never once touched rebate-related business.

It’s not about being holier-than-thou; I’m just afraid of unnecessary trouble. If, at some point, someone digs up my old records and finds something questionable, it could even impact my ability to travel in and out of the country. That’s just not worth the risk. Right now, I can travel freely—hop on a high-speed train whenever I want, post on social media during my trips without worry. That feeling is truly amazing.

But looking at it from another angle, it’s kind of funny: after all these years in crypto, I’ve definitely stepped on quite a few landmines, hitting every single one. Making money? I probably haven’t even made it onto the authorities’ radar. Financial freedom is still out of reach, but at least I’ve achieved travel freedom—that’s a consolation prize, I guess.

At the end of the day, compliance really is crucial.

Whether you’re an individual or a platform, once you have a stain on your record, your road immediately narrows. Your operating range is limited to markets outside the mainstream, forcing you into Southeast Asia, South America, Africa, and similar regions. Your career ceiling gets locked in early. In the long run, there’s just no sustainability.

That’s why I felt genuinely encouraged seeing a leading exchange recently secure regulatory approval from Abu Dhabi’s ADGM. Moves towards compliance like this are good for the entire industry—they mean more players can operate openly and give professionals peace of mind.

Compliance is the ultimate moat.