Client Intelligence

Joseph "Joe" Gildersleeve
Completed Curriculum
Status
✓
Skill Level
3/4
Skill Level Guide
2. Intermediate
Understands core concepts and can execute with support, but lacks consistency, confidence, or synthesis.
Primary questions: "Is this correct?", "Does this look right?", "What should I focus on?"
3. Advanced ← Current Level
Independently researches, executes, and adjusts strategies while reasoning about tradeoffs and outcomes.
Primary questions: "Why choose this over that?", "Downside?", "How does risk profile change?"
4. Expert
Mastery + synthesis + independent judgment across multiple market conditions. Systems-level thinking.
Primary questions: "Is edge valid now?", "Stress-test assumption?", "What breaks this?"
Navigation
5/5
Navigation Comfort (1-5)
This now strictly measures general computer literacy, not DeFi knowledge.
4. Strong
Reads entire pages. Identifies next steps independently. Comfortable opening new tabs, explorers, dashboards. Rarely needs navigation help.
5. Excellent ← Current Level
Fully self-directed. Efficient multitasker. Anticipates next steps from UI. Never blocked by navigation.
Learning Speed
3/5
Learning Speed (1-5)
Measures how quickly a client understands and applies new concepts.
2. Learns After Multiple Examples
Needs several examples and repetition to understand. Can apply with guidance and reinforcement.
3. Average Pace ← Current Level
Grasps concepts with standard explanation. Applies learning at a steady, consistent rate.
4. Fast Implementer
Quickly understands and applies new concepts. Minimal repetition needed. Implements between calls.

Core Profile

Financial
Capital Range Unknown (CSV)
Deployed ~$9K (Kraken)
Structure Roth IRA LLC
Platform Krystal/Crystal
AI Context
Mentioned starting with "$20K" (May 27). Conservative deployment strategy. Wired $9,005 to Kraken (July 14). Previously used Exodus, Coinbase, TradeSmith advisory.
Skills
Level Advanced
Skill Level Guide
2. Intermediate
Understands core concepts and can execute with support, but lacks consistency, confidence, or synthesis.
Primary questions: "Is this correct?", "Does this look right?", "What should I focus on?"
3. Advanced ← Current Level
Independently researches, executes, and adjusts strategies while reasoning about tradeoffs and outcomes.
Primary questions: "Why choose this over that?", "Downside?", "How does risk profile change?"
4. Expert
Mastery + synthesis + independent judgment across multiple market conditions. Systems-level thinking.
Primary questions: "Is edge valid now?", "Stress-test assumption?", "What breaks this?"
Navigation Excellent
Navigation Comfort (1-5)
This now strictly measures general computer literacy, not DeFi knowledge.
4. Strong
Reads entire pages. Identifies next steps independently. Comfortable opening new tabs, explorers, dashboards. Rarely needs navigation help.
5. Excellent ← Current Level
Fully self-directed. Efficient multitasker. Anticipates next steps from UI. Never blocked by navigation.
Learning Average Pace
Learning Speed (1-5)
Measures how quickly a client understands and applies new concepts.
2. Learns After Multiple Examples
Needs several examples and repetition to understand. Can apply with guidance and reinforcement.
3. Average Pace ← Current Level
Grasps concepts with standard explanation. Applies learning at a steady, consistent rate.
4. Fast Implementer
Quickly understands and applies new concepts. Minimal repetition needed. Implements between calls.
AI Agreement
Confirmed. Rebalanced independently, troubleshot Trezor/VPN issues, nuclear systems background = high data integrity expectations. Methodical, not rushed.
Technical Setup
Browser MetaMask
Hardware Trezor Model T
Profiles No
AI Expansion
Also uses: Phantom (Solana), NuFi (Trezor+Solana), previously Exodus. Passphrase wallet enabled. Metal backup in firebox.
Struggles & Concerns
Coach Notes Nothing specific
AI Identified Issues
  • NFT Verification Anxiety: "If this was $100K, I would care" - missing LP NFTs (May 12)
  • Data Integrity: Nuclear background - expects complete information display
  • Bridging Problems: Rubic/Polygon failures, network congestion (May 5)
  • Tech Glitches: Trezor passphrase display bugs, Starlink/VPN conflicts
  • Late to Call: 8 minutes late March 22 (tech or scheduling unclear)
Wins & Progress
Coach Notes No recent contact
AI Documented Wins
  • Independently rebalanced all positions during ETH spike (2504-2600)
  • Opened 6+ positions across Arbitrum & Solana networks
  • Trezor setup with full security (passphrase, metal backup)
  • Self-diagnosed Starlink VPN issue - strong troubleshooting
  • Gave coach 9/10 rating: "real happy with you as a coach"
  • Ready for Brandon's advanced strategy call (May 27)

Curriculum Coverage

Topic Status Evidence
Wallet Setup (MetaMask) ✓ Covered Mar 12-17: MetaMask setup, seed phrase verified, bookmarks established
Exchange Setup (Kraken) ✓ Covered Mar 17: Kraken for IRA LLC (avoided Coinbase $5K fee)
Buying/Selling Crypto ✓ Covered Mar 21: Bought on Kraken, transferred to MetaMask
LP Theory Fundamentals ✓ Covered Mar 21-22: TVL, 24hr volume, MS Paint process
Opening First Position ✓ Covered Mar 22-27: Test position WETH/ZRO on Arbitrum
Position Monitoring ✓ Covered Apr 1-9: Tracked ZRO/WETH, WETH/USDC performance
Impermanent Loss ✓ Covered Apr 9: IL discussion, average vs 24hr volume, correlated assets
Range Setting & Price History ✓ Covered Apr 1-18: Support/resistance ranges, WETH/ARB, WETH/WBTC
Rebalancing ✓ Covered Apr 14-24: Walkthrough, ZRO/WETH tightening. May 12: Independent rebalancing
Strategies Page Research ✓ Covered Apr 18-23: Used Strategies page, found SOL/Render pair
Phantom Wallet ✓ Covered Apr 23: Phantom wallet introduced for Solana
Bridging Tokens ⚠ Partial Apr 23-May 5: Rubic bridging, major Polygon→SOL issues, network delays
Multi-Network (Solana) ✓ Covered May 5-12: Radium positions, tight range management
Advanced Research Sites ✓ Covered May 5-12: Studied resources, watched videos 2x
NFT Verification ⚠ Partial May 12: Discussed concerns (1/4 NFTs showing), may not be fully resolved
Trezor Hardware Wallet ✓ Covered Jul 14-16: Trezor Model T, 24-word seed, passphrase, metal backup
NuFi Integration ✓ Covered Jul 30: Trezor+NuFi for Solana, passphrase wallet enabled
Position Consolidation ✓ Covered Aug 4-7: Consolidated MetaMask/Phantom → Trezor
Tax Tracking (CoinLedger) ✗ Not Covered Not mentioned in transcripts
Advanced Strategy Planning ⚠ Partial May 27: Scheduled Brandon call for portfolio strategy, status unknown
Note: Some coach notes had ambiguous date associations. Where unclear, marked as "Unknown date" per protocol.

Coach Notes Timeline

March 3, 2025
Has personal account on coinbase, holds funds in exodus wallet. no hardware wallet. crypto advisory from tradesmith. Using Self-directed roth IRA LLC. Using only funds from Roth IRA for the Liquidity Pools, has some crypto sitting. Has some crypto in non-IRA account. had funds in IRA just sitting there. Will be setting up coinbase with IRA account
First intake. Exodus holder, TradeSmith client, sophisticated IRA structure. No hardware wallet yet.
March 12, 2025
Got bookmarks set-up, went over exchanges, set-up metamask and verified seed-phrase. Homework was to set-up coinbase and kraken for IRA and wire funds to transferr. *****Coinbase charges $5000 corporate fee to use the platform as LLC, Kraken is Free, so we are moving forward with Kraken
Critical decision: Avoided $5K Coinbase fee by choosing Kraken. Shows cost-consciousness and business acumen.
March 21, 2025
Went through buying/selling on Kraken, and safely sending tokens to metamask wallet. HW: Review LP theory video. Next call: Introduce first variables and assign research homework #1
First token purchase/transfer completed. Moving to LP theory - major milestone.
March 22, 2025
Did not see him on zoom call for 8 minutes, went to grab a coffee and he was there. Not sure if it was a tech issue or him being late. Reviewed how volume and average volume impacts APR; opened test position in WETH/ZRO, need to send some sort of resource.
First LP position opened (WETH/ZRO). 8-minute delay - tech or punctuality unclear. Only recorded lateness incident.
April 1, 2025
Discussed performance of ZRO/ETH position. Considered WETH/USDC for second test position, reviewed range setting. Opened small position in WETH/USDC.
Second position opened. Managing multiple positions - competence growth evident.
April 9, 2025
Reviewed positions, both still in range. Discussed impermanent loss, average vs 24hr volume, rebalancing concepts. APR over 100%. Introduced correlated assets and DeFi Llama.
Deep dive into IL and advanced concepts. Both positions performing well (>100% APR).
April 18, 2025
Reviewed WETH/ARB and WETH/WBTC pairs. He looked very comfortable with identifying levels and using that to inform ranges. Opened test position in WETH/ARB.
Coach observation: "Very comfortable with identifying levels" - strong evidence of Advanced skill level.
April 23, 2025
Reviewed strategies page, found SOL/Render pair. Introduced Phantom wallet and bridging concepts. Considering whether to deploy new capital.
Major expansion: moving from Arbitrum to Solana network. Independent research yielded quality results.
May 5, 2025
Got caught in a pickle with bridging tokens from Polygon to SOL. Rubic would not connect to Phantom wallet. Experienced massive network traffic and slow transaction processing. Still need to bridge everything back to Arbitrum before moving to SOL.
Bridging nightmare: Rubic connection failures, rejected bridges, network congestion. Most challenging technical hurdle, but Joe persisted.
July 14, 2025
Set up Trezor Model T with 24-word seed phrase. Metal backup created and stored in firebox. Passphrase wallet configured. Wired $9,005 to Kraken. Converted to USDC and sent to Arbitrum.
Major security upgrade. Metal backup storage aligns with nuclear systems background. Significant capital deployment ($9K).
July 30, 2025
Connected Trezor to NuFi wallet for Solana operations. Enabled passphrase wallet. Verified address matching between Trezor Suite and NuFi.
Multi-network hardware security complete: MetaMask+Trezor (Arbitrum), NuFi+Trezor (Solana). Full custody control.
August 4, 2025
Consolidated tokens from MetaMask to Trezor. Cleaned up old positions. Prepared to increase position sizes. Troubleshot Trezor passphrase wallet display issues.
Portfolio cleanup phase. Bitcoin/WETH position barely in range, WETH/USDC middle of range - active monitoring happening.
August 7, 2025
Discovered Starlink connection has VPN causing Trezor discovery error. Switched to phone hotspot, resolved issue. Swapped Radium tokens to USDC. Opened ARB/USDC position (~$1K). Plans to increase WETH/USDC position.
Self-diagnosed Starlink VPN issue - excellent independent troubleshooting. Performing token swaps and position management independently. Portfolio growth trajectory.
Learning Patterns
  • Methodical: Watches videos twice, asks clarifying questions before proceeding
  • Detail-Oriented: Nuclear systems background creates high data integrity expectations
  • Conservative Risk: Started with $100 test positions, gradually scaled to $9K
  • Independent: Self-researches, troubleshoots before asking for help
  • Strategic: Avoided $5K fee, chose Roth IRA structure, plans diversification
Friction Points
  • NFT verification anxiety when position NFTs don't appear in wallet
  • Rubic/Polygon bridging caused significant frustration
  • "Data not allowed to just not show up" - nuclear systems mindset
  • Patient through Trezor bugs, Starlink VPN conflicts
Key Strengths
  • Security Conscious: Metal backup, passphrase wallet, hardware custody
  • Cost Aware: Evaluates fees, chooses cost-effective solutions
  • Market Perspective: Understands volatility from stock market experience
  • Active Management: Regular monitoring, proactive rebalancing
  • Multi-Network Competent: Confident on Arbitrum and Solana
Readiness Assessment
Coach Opinion
Completed Curriculum. Reactivation probability: 1 (Unlikely). No recent contact.
AI Opinion
Fully operational and independent. Rebalanced during ETH volatility, self-diagnosed technical issues, managing 4-6 positions across two networks. Gave coach 9/10 rating. Low reactivation probability is accurate - not from disengagement, but successful completion and independent operation.