In 2025, crypto investment behavior will increasingly reflect a shift toward belief systems that resemble religious beliefs. Rather than relying on fundamentals or risk assessments, some investors are guided by ideals rooted in beliefs, ideologies, or visions of transformational change.
This evolution, seen in movements ranging from Bitcoin (BTC) maximalism to Pi Network (PI) GCV believers with a belief in six-figure valuations, shows how financial decisions are being shaped by collective narratives and symbolic meanings.
Cult-like belief system fuels 2025 crypto cycle
Shilling has always been a part of crypto culture, with influencers, traders, and key opinion leaders (KOLs) pushing coins through social media posts. But what we see in 2025 goes a step further.
This is no longer just about hyping a Token for short-term profit — it has turned into something almost like a religious belief.
1. The case of YoungHoon Kim
One notable case is YoungHoon Kim, a South Korean businessman with a world-record IQ of 276, verified by organizations including Official World Records and the World Memory Championship.
Kim, founder of the United Sigma Intelligence Society, has converted his entire fortune into Bitcoin, calling it the 'ultimate hope for the future economy'.
“Future Economy: According to my theoretical analysis, within the next 10 years, Bitcoin will increase at least 100x and be widely accepted as the ultimate reserve asset,” he predicted .
Kim combines cryptocurrency with divine purposes. He calls himself the 'second Satoshi Nakamoto' and promises to establish global churches in the name of Jesus Christ while supporting the 'Make America Great Again' agenda.
“As the world's highest IQ record holder and Memory Master, today I decided to create the second Bitcoin as the second Satoshi Nakamoto,” Kim wrote in another post .
Critics, including skeptics, question his IQ claims and motives , but Kim's influence endures among Watcher drawn to his messianic narrative.
2. Murad Mahmudov and SPX
Similarly, crypto trader Murad Mahmudov is an example of this belief-based persistence. Despite an 82% portfolio loss by early 2025, Mahmudov remained steadfast, with more than 95% of his assets in SPX6900 (SPX), a meme coin.
He predicts SPX could hit $1,000 , which would in turn put him among the world's 100 richest people, valuing his nearly 30 million Token at $30 billion. Mahmudov XEM SPX as a combination of Bitcoin's HODL spirit with XRP's counterculture elements.
His constant promotion has brought huge profits to the SPX , although critics warn of unsustainable hype.
3. Pi Network GCV Fluctuation
The pioneers of Pi Network under the Global Consensus Value (GCV) movement also illustrate this phenomenon. Despite the Pi Coin price struggles , supporters are still pushing for a valuation of $314,159 per coin, tied to the mathematical constant pi, implying a market Capital that exceeds global GDP by multiples.
“The destination is now clear. There is no doubt – GCV (1 Pi = $314,159) is the path to the future that truly honors all the years we have spent mining and protecting Pi,” a GCV developer stated .
Led by figures like Doris Yin, the movement XEM Pi as a life mission to empower finance, hosting conferences , and calling for real-world trading at this price .
However, many argue that these unrealistic beliefs prevent people from supporting the real economy of PI, and instead, they undermine the project while the price continues to fall.
