Efe Kelemci, widely known on YouTube as Crypto Kid, faces a significant decision for an 18-year-old: should he spend nearly a million dollars on a sports car, or hold onto his earnings?
"If this bull market is coming to an end, then maybe taking profit into a nice Ferrari could make sense just for passion," the Dubai-based crypto content creator and entrepreneur told Magazine.
While this might sound like typical crypto exuberance, Kelemci emphasizes that his interest in the sports car stems from an appreciation of its beauty, rather than a desire to flaunt wealth like a stereotypical crypto personality.
"I feel as though I'm a little more of an old soul," he explained, noting that he typically prefers spending on experiences with his family. "I've understood quickly that materialism isn't what gives you happiness."
Whether Kelemci ultimately purchases the Ferrari or not, the fact that he can even consider such a purchase is a testament to his remarkable journey. Since launching his YouTube channel in December 2021 at the age of 14, Kelemci has amassed millions of views. He has also gained millions more views as a co-host on The Moon Show alongside Carl Runefelt, also known as Carl Moon, who is a co-founder of the Crypto Kid brand.
Early Struggles and a Shift in Perception
Kelemci's path to success has not been without its challenges. He recently graduated high school in June and admits to facing significant teasing for being a "crypto geek" during his school years.
"I got bullied a lot, and I was spending a lot of time in class, just in the corner," Kelemci recalled. The situation escalated when a classmate discovered his YouTube channel in its early days, and word quickly spread.
"I was never the cool kid in school, like I was never that guy. I was just sort of the geek, the dork, you know, in the library, researching crypto," he said.
However, circumstances began to change as his content improved and he achieved greater success. "When the content got better, and then when you become, quote, unquote, more successful, then people start appreciating you, respecting you," he observed.
"People started showing you attention, and you became the cool kid involuntarily," he added.
Content Creation and a Dedicated Work Ethic
When asked if he would feature the Ferrari on his social media, perhaps as a form of vindication against past bullies, Kelemci stated that he might, but not for that reason.
"I'll make content about it just because I enjoy the car, not for any other purpose," he affirmed.
While the idea of an 18-year-old affording a luxury car might be a point of envy for some, Kelemci's dedication is undeniable. He reports arriving at his office around 9 AM and working until midnight, six days a week.
"Saturday is the only day that I try not to do anything crypto. And then starting Sunday afternoon, I start working again," he explained.
The Genesis of Crypto Kid
Efe Kelemci began creating crypto content in December 2021, at the age of 14. His initial foray into cryptocurrency occurred when he was 12, after saving $1,000 from voice acting roles.
"I wanted to learn how I could take this $1,000 that I made from voice acting, and, you know, invest and grow that money," he stated.
He discovered the work of Real Vision founder Raoul Pal online. Pal was discussing Ethereum, which was priced around $400 at the time, and predicting significant future growth.
Initially skeptical of Pal's predictions, Kelemci delved into technical analysis and became increasingly fascinated by the potential of cryptocurrencies.
With his father's assistance, he opened a crypto exchange account, marking the beginning of his journey. However, he aspired to be more than just a passive observer; he wanted to actively participate in the crypto industry.
Early Encounters and the Path to Content Creation
Inspired by Dubai-based crypto influencers like Davinci Jeremie and Tone Vays, who were posting about local meetups, Kelemci decided to attend one at the age of 13. He asked his parents to accompany him to gain firsthand insight into the crypto world.
"I remember texting Davinci on Instagram. Was like, Hey, man, and Im 13. I know it is your event? Are you guys gonna allow me? He didn't reply, but I went, and it was cool," he recalled with a laugh.
His youthful presence proved advantageous. "Because I was the youngest, you know, out of the crowd, there were a lot of people who wanted to meet these guys, but because I was younger, they gave me extra care."
He specifically remembers crypto influencers James Crypto Guru and Tone Vays, who shared a significant amount of their content with him for review. A few months later, they encouraged him to launch his own YouTube channel.
"They just said, Hey, dude, you like acting, you like theater. You like being on screen. Why don't you start your own YouTube channel?" he recounted.
Heeding their advice, Kelemci began his channel, initially learning through trial and error. His progress accelerated significantly after meeting Carl Runefelt.
"He [Runefelt] said, Hey, you know, I've done this. I've been doing this since 2017. You're very young. Why don't I help you build your brand, and why don't we do this together? So he essentially became a co-founder," Kelemci explained.
Runefelt's mentorship was instrumental in growing Kelemci's brand, and their professional relationship has evolved into a close partnership, including co-hosting a show. Kelemci attributes a substantial portion of his success to Runefelt, whom he describes as the most inspiring person he has ever encountered.
The Evolution of "The Crypto Kid" Brand
A natural question arises: what will happen to the "Crypto Kid" brand as Efe Kelemci matures? He has already considered this future.
"My vision for the brand is to sort of make it evolve into almost a Coin Bureau for the younger generation," he stated.
"I want Crypto Kid to be the platform they go to to learn everything, A to Z. So that's what I want the brand to evolve toward," he elaborated. He is uncertain whether he will remain the primary face of the brand in the long term.
"I would probably just take a little bit of a step back, maybe," he suggested.
"I am Crypto Kid, but maybe in the future, it will just evolve into a bigger media company," he concluded.
Furthermore, Kelemci has not ruled out the possibility of returning to his childhood aspiration of becoming a successful actor, indicating that his future might extend beyond the cryptocurrency space.