What is HODL?
HODL, or “hold on for dear life”, is an abbreviation which has become one of the most popular and recognizable cryptocurrency mantras.
Where did HODL come from?
Originally a misspelling of the word ‘hold’, the HODL phenomenon first appeared in 2013 thanks to a post on the Bitcointalk forum. It has since become synonymous not just with Bitcoin but all crypto tokens.
HODL now refers to more than simply owning a given amount of cryptocurrency; it now refers more to the mentality behind an investor’s allocation rather than the allocation itself. Investors often choose to retain tokens during periods of sharp price corrections instead of selling at a reduced profit or loss, giving rise to the “hold on for dear life” aspect of the HODL phenomenon.
More than a decade after its genesis, HODL remains a popular meme across crypto circles and social media. What began as a typo has metamorphosed into a crypto industry calling card, and there are even products and services incorporating the phrase into their name.
Crypto HODL Strategy
Some investors choose to deliberately sit on an allocation for an extended period of time, ignoring any short-term price fluctuations.
This is especially prevalent among Bitcoiners, whose allocations can sit for months or years in cold storage. Even beyond Bitcoin, however, for many, HODL represents a strategic choice to avoid reacting to flash volatility inherent in crypto markets.
Another popular crypto mantra is WAGMI, an abbreviation of the phrase “We’re all gonna make it”, which functions as a similar call to arms for crypto industry participants. By contrast, NGMI, or “Not gonna make it”, functions as a project or individual’s last rites when consensus sees them failing in the future.
“You only sell in a bear market if you are a good day trader or an illusioned noob. The people in between hold. In a zero-sum game such as this, traders can only take your money if you sell.”
