Crypto’s not just having a big week—it’s making history!
Bitcoin (BTC) kicked things off with jump to $109,000 early Monday morning.
Then, on Wednesday, BTC blew past $112,000, breaking two records in a span of three days.
But that was just the appetizer…
Because last night, BTC shattered its THIRD record of the week – skyrocketing to $117,000.
And now, as I’m writing, it’s hovering right around the $117,600 level.
This isn’t hype… This isn’t like any other breakout, either. It’s a full-blown shift in capital – Washington… Wall Street… Silicon Valley – that could lead to the greatest bull run we’ve ever seen… something I’ve been talking about since January (check out my full prediction here).
So, before you power down for the weekend, I want to tackle four more questions I recently received – starting with a big one..
Q: Hi Tom, it seems like the proof is pudding when it comes to the profit potential in crypto this year. I’m scared of missing out, especially during these uncertain times, but I really don’t know how or where to get started. Can you help?
Thanks for your question! In fact, I’m willing to bet that a fellow reader is feeling the same exact way right now. But the fact that you’re ASKING first – before pulling the trigger on any trades – already has you several steps ahead of other new traders.
Now to answer your question—yes, I can help! I’m actually launching my 2025 Crypto Masterclass this coming Wednesday, July 16, at 3pm ET.
And the best part is, we’re starting from the ground up. So, whether you’re new or just want to sharpen your edge… this is built for you.
Here’s what I’ll be walking through:
- How to set up your crypto wallet and exchange
- Which coins I trade—and how I filter out the noise
- A simple Fibonacci timing tool I use to spot entries
- A live Bitcoin or Ethereum trade I’m watching in real time
Click here to save your seat for Week 1—Wednesday, July 16 at 3pm ET. It’s completely free.
Q: Tom, with crypto surging again, does that mean you’re choosing crypto over stocks now?
Great question! Let me break it down this way…
When people hear “crypto,” they usually think of Bitcoin. And for good reason – it’s the most popular coin in the market. It’s decentralized digital currency that doesn’t need a bank or government to process transactions. Every Bitcoin transaction is recorded publicly, making it hard to fake or reverse. Its value? It comes from belief—if enough people believe it’s worth something, it is.
And, as we’ve seen, BTC continues to flirt with new all-time highs. And given what we’ve seen in 2024 and 2025—like executive orders supporting blockchain innovation… the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve… and the EC approving the first spot Bitcoin ETFs—there’s real momentum here. Add to that some big institutions and public companies buying in, and it’s easy to see why crypto is getting fresh attention.
But does that mean I’m going all-in on Bitcoin and ditching stocks? Not at all.
Q: So how do you balance crypto and stocks in your own portfolio?
Here’s how I see it: I don’t make it a competition. I treat them both as tools in my investing toolbox.
Quick story: not long ago, my wife and I were at our place in upstate New York when my nephew raided the freezer and grabbed the last two ice cream bars. My wife asked why he didn’t leave one for someone else. Without blinking, he said, “But Auntie, why not both?”
That’s how I invest, too. When it comes to strong opportunities in both stocks and crypto, I often ask: why not both?
Here’s a snapshot comparison:
Crypto
- Decentralized—no intermediaries
- Full control of your assets
- 24/7 markets (including weekends)
- High-growth, high-volatility
Stocks
- Regulated by institutions like the SEC
- Backed by pensions, retirement funds, ETFs
- Rich data: earnings, analyst reviews, trends
- Long-term stability, consistent performance
The bottom line is… I stay diversified. It’s not about betting on one or the other—it’s about balancing what works best for you based on your goals and time horizon. Talk to your financial team, weigh your options, and don’t be afraid to mix it up.
Q: How do you create a stock list? What criteria needs to be met to make the list?
There are a hundred different ways to build a stock list. So, it really comes down to what you want to trade…
Do you like specific sectors? Prefer stocks in a certain price range? Want liquid options with tight bid/ask spreads?
It depends on your specific goals and needs. The last one (bid/ask spreads), though, is one of my go-to filters. Why? Because tight spreads mean better liquidity, which often leads to better trade execution.
We’ll talk about this some more next week. But until then, a great place to start building a list – if you’re not using my software – is the Penny Pilot Program.
Once you’re on the page, you’ll want to download the spreadsheet. Then, these are the parameters I use myself to filter down the list:
- Look for stocks over $100 per share
- Look for stocks that move an average of 1% a day between the high and low
- Look for stocks that correlate to the market
The two most important numbers to use in combination with this list is the stock’s percentage move over the last seven days and how well the stock correlates to the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY). With those two numbers, you can figure out how well a stock moves, and if it’s moving with or against the markets.
Once you have this list of stocks, you can run any number of screens and filters to assess which of these “Top Movers” would make the best trade.
Q: Tom, I see that daily signals are available from your software. Does that mean those are daily trade alerts?
Good question—and a common point of confusion. Let’s clear it up.
Daily signals from my software aren’t necessarily daily trade alerts. What you’re getting is market data (updated every day) to help you make informed decisions. Those signals might highlight a setup worth trading that day, or they might show developing patterns that set up for tomorrow or even next week.
Think of them as your radar. Not every blip means “fire now,” but it tells you where to watch.
Have a great weekend!
Tom Gentile
America’s Pattern Trader
