David Mondore has spent the last four years immersed in crypto markets, building a full-time trading career around fast-moving tokens, Ethereum-based assets, and short-lived NFT cycles. He entered the space during the 2020 bull run and never left. What began as a response to economic uncertainty has become his primary focus.
Before crypto, David Mondore worked in New York City’s food industry for over a decade. He started as a prep cook at a fast-casual restaurant and eventually became director of food and beverage operations. He managed supply chains, led culinary development, and oversaw day-to-day logistics across multiple locations. When COVID-19 shut down those restaurants, he looked for something he could control. That search led him to crypto.
He began flipping sneakers and sports memorabilia to stay afloat. In those same online groups, he found NFT trading platforms like NBA Top Shot. David Mondore joined early, saw fast profits, and scaled his activity quickly. He moved into Ethereum-based NFT collections like Bored Ape Yacht Club, where he took advantage of early mints and flipped assets during the peak of the 2021 cycle.
But he didn’t stay in NFTs for long. As liquidity dried up and floor prices dropped, David Mondore shifted focus. He began trading meme coins and low-cap Ethereum tokens. Unlike NFTs, meme coins allowed for fast entries and exits through decentralized exchanges. For someone operating on tight timing and thin margins, that speed made the difference.
“In this market, seconds matter,” David Mondore said. “You’re competing with bots and automated tools. If you can’t react fast enough, you’re already behind.”
Meme coin trading, he explained, is unstable by nature. Thousands of tokens launch weekly, and most are fraudulent. To stay competitive, David Mondore analyzes contract code, watches wallet activity, and assesses risk in real time. He doesn’t promote tokens or participate in coordinated hype. He trades independently and maintains a strong divide between his public name and his blockchain activity.
He also emphasizes caution. In 2021, David Mondore helped friends learn how to trade, even creating a group chat to share plays. Some earned significant returns. But market conditions have changed. Today, he avoids giving direct trade advice and instead focuses on education, risk control, and protecting capital.
“The best time to get in is always before the crowd, but that’s also when it’s the least safe,” he said. “You need to know how to read the blockchain, not just follow trends.”
Security plays a central role in his system. David Mondore uses hardware wallets for self-custody and warns against leaving funds on exchanges. He’s seen firsthand how platform failures wipe out accounts. To him, autonomy and protection are non-negotiable.
Despite the volatility, David Mondore believes Web3 still holds value for those willing to do the work. The tools are better. The competition is tougher. But for experienced traders who understand the flow of capital and the risks involved, the space remains viable.
David Mondore’s focus now is on speed, accuracy, and survival. “It’s not about winning once,” he said. “It’s about staying alive long enough to keep playing.”
