Menno van Ravels
Founder & Lead Analyst at Alpha Factory. Dutch crypto educator with 13+ years across 3 full market cycles. Zero paid promotions in 13 years.
13+
Years in Crypto
35K+
YouTube Subs
1,614
Predictions logged
0
Paid Promotions
About Me
I bought my first Bitcoin in 2013 at $400, sold at $800, and spent the next decade learning why that 2x was one of the most expensive wins of my life. Before crypto I was a musician — rapper and producer — for 15 years. Creative work I loved, money I never made. Crypto wasn’t my first attempt at building something from nothing, but it’s the one that finally stuck.
I went through the 2017 mania, lost everything, took a loan, and got wrecked again. In 2018 I was scammed out of €5,000 by a fake yield platform. I swore off crypto. I came back in 2021, researched properly, and grew a YouTube channel — Fomotion — to 35,700+subscribers. Half a year in I was being offered paid promotions that turned out to be scams. I walked away from easy money and have never accepted a paid promotion since. Community trust compounds; a paycheck doesn’t.
Since 2022 I’ve been building Alpha Factory — the transparent crypto platform I wished existed when I started. Every portfolio move I make is logged publicly at /proof with timestamps and reasoning. In 2024 I broke publicly with the 4-year halving-cycle theory and moved to a macro-first framework built around ISM Manufacturing and liquidity. Subscribers left. I’d rather lose followers than integrity. Liquidity over astrology — always.
Where to Find Me
Public track record — see every move
Every buy, sell, and portfolio decision is logged publicly in real time with full reasoning. 1,614 predictions across 377 videos since August 2022 — losses included, no cherry-picking, no hindsight edits.
View the full track record →Published Work
Selected guides I’ve written for Alpha Factory. Every article reflects my own investing framework and is reviewed for accuracy before publish.
How to DCA in a Bear Market: Frequency, Sizing, and Asset Selection
Strategy · 7 min read ·
When to Stop DCA in Crypto: Data-Based Signals vs Fear
Risk Management · 6 min read ·
Risk Wave Bear Market History: How the Indicator Performed Across Cycles
Analysis · 8 min read ·
How I Traded the 2022 Bear Market: Every Mistake and Every Lesson
Strategy · 10 min read ·
Is Bitcoin Still a Good Investment? A Data-Driven Analysis
Safety · 10 min read ·
Crypto Tax Basics Every Investor Should Know in 2026
Safety · 8 min read ·
How to Avoid Crypto Scams: 12 Red Flags to Watch For
Safety · 9 min read ·
How to Read Crypto Charts for Beginners: Candlesticks, RSI, and More
Tools · 9 min read ·
Crypto Position Sizing: How Much to Invest in Each Coin
Tools · 8 min read ·
How to Track Your Crypto Portfolio Like a Pro in 2026
Tools · 7 min read ·
What Are Token Unlock Schedules and How Do They Impact Crypto Prices?
Analysis · 7 min read ·
Crypto Market Cycles Explained: When to Buy and When to Sell
Analysis · 9 min read ·
Crypto Fear and Greed Index Explained: How to Use It for Trading
Analysis · 7 min read ·
How to Evaluate Any Altcoin Before Buying: 8-Point Framework
Analysis · 10 min read ·
Crypto Portfolio Diversification: How Many Coins Should You Hold?
Risk Management · 7 min read ·
Why 90% of Crypto Investors Lose Money (And How to Avoid It)
Risk Management · 8 min read ·
How to Survive a Crypto Bear Market: 7 Proven Strategies
Risk Management · 9 min read ·
Crypto Risk Management: The Complete Framework for 2026
Risk Management · 10 min read ·
How to Create a Crypto Investment Plan That Works
Strategy · 9 min read ·
How to Set Crypto Exit Targets (And Actually Stick to Them)
Strategy · 8 min read ·
Appears On
Podcast appearances and interviews — coming soon.